My name is Shegitu Kebede. I know first hand what it means to be a refugee victim of war - in constant peril, losing family, experiencing rape, and living in the unbearable conditions of a refugee camp. My heart goes out to all who know such hardship.

I came from the war-torn country of Ethiopia. My son was born in a refugee camp in Kenya. My family was scattered throughout various countries in Africa, fighting to stay alive as I was. Some survived, others did not. I was able to leave and begin a new life here in the United States in the early 90’s.

A few years ago I started a business called Going Home Inc., a center for single, immigrant mothers, most of whom, like me, had left physically abusive husbands and were struggling to support themselves and their children. Most spoke little English, had little money, no job history and had been ostracized by their communities for leaving their husbands.

I rented a small two-room office that I shared with Americorps at the Franklin Housing Cooperative in Minneapolis. I worked hard to aquire cleaning contracts from my corporate friends which gave me the resources needed to fully implement my program.

I began by employing immigrant women. I taught them everything from the cleaning business to computers and sewing. From there I helped them write their resumes, learn the culture of this country, the language and how to use public transportation so they could get better-paying jobs elsewhere. I took them shopping, to the doctor, arranged appointments and helped them find clothes for work. I would often drive them from job to job. I also established the Homework Center to provide after-school activities and homework support for the children of these immigrant women.

With new skills and the ability to support themselves and their children these women are now ready to move on. In the first year I helped a total of 38 women on this journey to independence.