A Childhood Trauma Transforms Into an Adult Passion

Meseret grew up in a close-knit community of Meki, Ethiopia, that depended on the water from a nearby lake Ziay, which was unsafe—dirty from pollution and waste. A community health worker visited the town and provided information and products to purify the water. In that moment—when she saw her village transformed by this simple intervention—Meseret realized she wanted to be a health worker. And now, she is changing lives as part of PSI's Smart Start program, where she educates newly married young couples on financial planning, positioning contraception as a tool to achieve their goals for stability and plan for their future family.

Meseret works closely with community leaders and volunteers to help her identify newlywed young couples she can work with. They put their support behind Smart Start and Meseret. She knows all too well the pressure Ethiopian mothers face. She and her husband Daniel have one child of their own. But her in laws are impatient. She laughs, "They are angry that I don't want more children now. They are ready for more grandchildren."

She treks miles—sometimes walking for 2 to 3 hours—for appointments to reach young families when they are not able to come to the clinic in Harufa. Meseret feels well trained for the challenge. "Smart Start is a very good tool. It must be continued so we can reach more young couples."

Over 75,000 married adolescent girls were reached with relevant, quality SRH services through Smart Start. Of those girls, over 35,000 chose to take up a modern method of contraception.

Plan your legacy gift with the knowledge that your support allows for people like Meseret to continue transforming the health and lives of her community now and in the future.