Scotland: Home to 5 million people Ethiopia: Home to 91 million people In Scotland: 69 people per km 2 In Ethiopia: 67 people per km 2 Scotland: The UK’s most mountainous country Ethiopia: Africa’s most mountainous country

Ethiopia is a country synonymous with poverty. The need is great: 44% of children under five have stunted growth due to malnutrition

Women are expected to live to 62, and men to 59 Just 5% of girls in rural areas go to secondary school But something amazing is happening…

A group of Scottish church leaders including David McCarthy from St Silas Church in Glasgow travelled to Ethiopia with Tearfund. They visited self-help groups – a new approach to beating poverty. ‘Self-help groups have huge potential to change Ethiopia.’ (David McCarthy)

Meseret and her husband Belay used to be some of the poorest people in Nazret village. They survived on scraps of food, and Meseret wasn’t even strong enough to breastfeed her baby.

Thanks to Meseret’s self-help group, they’ve turned their lives around. ‘I can’t describe the light that came when I joined the self-help group.’ (Meseret) When a new group starts, one of the first things they do is start saving money. Members contribute small amounts each week, and this adds up over time. Group members can take loans from the groups savings account to start businesses. They can also learn new skills and as they become empowered and inspired, groups gather momentum.

Today, Meseret has a job and runs businesses.

And Meseret and Belay are part of a loving church community. They have a new family home, and can now pay school fees for both their daughters. Their lives have been transformed.