Gender inequality is a significant driver of global poverty rates, denying women and girls of their inherent, God-given dignity. In many cultures, women face barriers—even in their own homes—that limit their opportunities to learn and support themselves and their families. At least 60 percent of individuals living with chronic, extreme hunger are women and girls. In countries impacted by fragility, conflict, and violence, girls are 2.5 times more likely to be out of school than boys. Women make up more than two-thirds of the world’s illiterate population.  

Empowering women to earn an income and support their families helps close these and other gender gaps. Education and employment lead to widespread benefits, including improved child nutrition, better health, and opportunities like small business ownership.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is working in partnership with local Nazarene churches in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Ghana to support the empowerment and dignity of women and girls. Through projects that open doors to education alongside vocational training and job placement assistance, women and their families are finding hope for a better and more secure future. 

When you give to the 2024 NCM Christmas Project, you will help unlock the skills and resources women need to transform lives and communities.

Read on for Olivia and Solome's story of how catering courses set their lives on new paths.

Olivia beams as she recites all the food she has learned to cook.

“Spaghetti, BBQ beans, pigs in a blanket, meat pie, fish pie,” she shares. “People call me, and I will make their wedding cakes.”

Since taking a church-led vocational training course for women in Liberia, Olivia has been busy in the kitchen. Her big goal is to run the largest catering company in her country.

“I see myself moving forward,” says Olivia. “I’m not discouraged. I’m not like the way I used to be before.”

Prior to enrolling in the catering course, Olivia felt stuck and didn’t have a way to earn money. When she needed funds, she had to ask her parents to supply what was needed.

“Now, if I want something, I can take it from my profit,” she says proudly.

Solome also enrolled in a catering course at another training center in Liberia. She had long been curious about improving her cooking skills, and the affordable training course gave her a path to growth.

“Before entering the program, I was lost ... I used to wonder how people fix these foods. All day I sit home to await my partner for money. It was sometimes embarrassing to keep asking for money.”

It wasn’t long before Solome’s outlook brightened. She enjoyed time with her classmates, and looked forward to learning new things every day.

“Now, I can sit home and fix cakes for ... birthday parties, and any food of my choice,” she reports.

Olivia and Solome are just two out of many students who have found new pathways to financial security through these vocational projects—in Liberia, along with Ghana and Ethiopia. Upon graduating, many students share their long-term goals.

Solome’s preparation was all focused on the eventual goal of opening her own shop, “where I can sell different kinds of cooked food, including catering for different occasions,” she shared.

She isn’t intimidated by complicated recipes anymore, either, and she’s hopeful that others will take advantage of the life-changing education found in the center.

“Since I enter [the project], I have more ideas; [cooking] is very simple to me now. I wish for every woman to learn this to help themselves and their families.”