Success Story

The Hiruyan Girls Self Help Group (SHG) established in September 2012 with the objective of preventing HIV/STI through peer education, home based care and support, and strengthening economic status of the group and other MARPs. Currently the group has 18 members though it was established by 24 members/volunteers. 

Photo: group discussion of the Hiruyan SHG

The SHG witness an astonishing result in creating awareness and bringing behavioral change about preventing mechanisms of HIV/STI, utilization and promotion of condom, test and treatment of HIV/STI (monthly for STI and once in 3 months for HIV) via peer education. The benefit related to peer education is not concentrated to the members only; rather the group throws light and psyches social initiation to the surrounding environment. The most surprising performance of the group comes when we consider their culture of saving and IGA. By participating, with in a very short period of time, in different income generating activities currently the group has a total capital of birr 273,667 and one Bajaj (purchased 85,000). The impact of this group is also extended and creates opportunity to its six members to come out from waitresses and started their own business. These and all other unmentioned efforts of the SHG pull them to receive outstanding performance award from 120 towns in 2012.