Establishment of Sisters’ Self-Help
In the early 1994, the Addis Ababa Health Bureau in collaboration with the previous AIDS CAP–Ethiopia planned to give training on HIV and AIDS prevention to various community members in the selected two Kebeles of each zones of Addis Ababa. The groups were Factory Health Workers, Community Health Agents, bar owners and Commercial Sex Workers. As part of the project, the former Zone 2 Health Department 
coordinated the trainings to these parts of the community. As there were a number of Commercial Sex workers in the previous Kebeles 09 and 21 following the study conducted by the Zonal Health Department, 83 Commercial Sex Workers participated in the three days workshop. It was held from June 1- 3, 1994. Up on completion of the workshop, the then training coordinator and the current volunteer Executive Director of SSH and the participants agreed to form an Association by the name “Woreda 21 Kebele 09 & 21 Ye-ehitimamachoch Meredaja Maheber”.
Based on the coordinated efforts of the executive committee members, the coordinator of the Association and the good will of the incumbent Kebele 09 Administration, two local flats were secured for the initiation of Income Generating activities. In line with this case, the contribution of Ato Taye Sime, the then chairman of the Kebele, one of the founders of the Association should not be neglected. Amidst, the Japan Embassy in Ethiopia funded SSH in the construction and equipping the four stores and Income generating rooms. The plot of land was given by the Kebele Administration. The extension work of the veranda was funded by Path Finder International. On the other hand, the Association members were trained in various skill trainings such as dying, Sewing and Embroidery, Weaving, Leather crafts through the donation of Pathfinder International.
When we speak of SSH, the input of the foregoing Woreda 21 Health Office has to be mentioned. Bearing the magnitude of HIV/AIDS in to account, the Health Office paved the way for the extension of Income Generating Activities following the three days workshop. It enabled the members prevent themselves from the infection of the deadly disease, HIV/AIDS. Out of the total of 83 participants, 42 of the members became active to continue with SSH. After the official establishment, it firstly secured a legal certificate from the Addis Ababa Administration Association registration Office. Subsequently, Sisters’ Self-Help extended its project to include more sub cities. It then becomes recognized by the Ministry of Justice Association registration office to execute its activities in Addis Ababa.
SSH is now re-registered and licensed by the Ministry of Justice, Charities and societies Agency as Ethiopian Residents Charity as of March 2013 bearing the number 0105.
SSH is the only one to be the model Association established by Commercial Sex Workers.Currently, SSH has 370 CSW members where most of them are young between the age of 18 - 35. Out of the total, 62% are unmarried and the rest 38% are divorced as a result of many underlining causes. It mainly operates in three sub-cities of Kirkos, Lideta and Arada Administrative Region
The main objective of SSH is to bring the member Commercial Sex workers out of their current undesirable life and foster behavioral change. It also strives to develop their socioeconomic participation and keep their dignity to make them productive citizens.