**In this story, the survivor’s name has been changed to protect her identity.
Tsehay thought the opportunity to go to Lebanon and become a domestic worker would be a good way to provide for herself and her family.
Instead, Tsehay suffered traumatic abuse at the hands of her employers, including an incident so severe that she was left with long-term injuries. After Tsehay managed to escape that employer, other Ethiopian women in Lebanon helped her find a new job. Unfortunately, the abuse continued, with Tsehay suffering sexual exploitation under a new employer.
Traumatized and unsure what to do next, Tsehay connected with a support network which led her to a trusted safe place in Lebanon, where she found a secure environment that provided her with the physical and psychological support she needed. Ultimately, the organization there purchased an airline ticket for Tsehay to return to Ethiopia.
Upon her arrival in Ethiopia, Our Rescue began providing Tsehay with essential support, including trauma counseling. Our Rescue also helped encourage Tsehay’s entrepreneurial drive, reigniting her passion for nail art. Our Rescue helped Tsehay buy the necessary supplies for her new business so she could begin accepting customers.
Tsehay is optimistic about a bright future. She credits Our Rescue for giving her tools to start her business and says she is “excited to continue growing my business and seeing it succeed.” Tsehay is confident that she’ll attract customers by leveraging social media for advertising in addition to the loyal group of friends and acquaintances who regularly rely on her to do their nails.
Currently operating as a mobile business, Tsehay’s hopes to one day have her own designated workspace where clients can visit her to receive her nail services. For now, her mother has helped her secure a room to call home base.
Our Rescue will continue to provide support in the coming months, aiming to bolster Tsehay’s confidence in running her business through advice and financial assistance as she needs it. Through the support Our Rescue receives from donors, Tsehay now feels confident, hopeful, and eager to witness the positive changes in her life.
Recently, Tsehay received a health diagnosis and Our Rescue is currently supporting her medical treatment as needed. We are grateful for her incredible resiliency and are honored to continue supporting her in her healing journey.