Over the last few years, we've been working to build and launch Entoto Gear. It's been a labor of love. These things always take longer than you'd hope and cost more than you'd like. But as it relates to our "why", here's our WHY.
Early this morning, before the sunrise, Ayelech awoke and began her journey up Entoto Mountain to being a long day of work. Her assignment? Gather eucalyptus, strap it to her back, and begin the treacherous journey down the mountainside. Her load will average out at roughly 100lbs, weighing about as much as she does. Her day, is largely occupied by this task. For her troubles, she'll receive about 20BIRR, the equivalent of .60 days. Her hope? Something other than this…
This story represents the hundreds of women on this mountain alone, thousands of women on this mountain range, and tens, if not hundreds of millions of women around the world subjected to back breaking labor simply to survive.
Three years ago, while on a mission trip, I encountered the women of Entoto mountain. Frankly, I'd seen stuff like this before. This time it was different. This time I noticed it. This time I noticed them. This time it hit me. And it hurt. What must it be like to have this as your livelihood? How do you end up here? Why don't others help? Do they even know this is happening? As I learned the stories of these women, my heart broke and my eyes opened. To borrow from a biblical story, I could not cross to the other side of the road. I needed to help. I needed to do something. Thus, Entoto Gear was born.
We all have mountains to climb. Keep climbing!
More to come.
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