Details of empowerment program changing Nyanza widows' lives

In the remotest parts of Nyanza, a remarkable initiative targeting widows is taking shape.

78-year-old Rose Achieng Odhiambo is amongst the many beneficiaries of the support provided by the Nyanza Widows Empowerment Program (WEP).

Widowed at a young age, Rose found herself in deep trouble, trying to eke out a living for herself and her orphaned children.

Last week, she could not hide her joy when the representatives of the organisation handed over a new house to her.

For several decades, her family had been living in a very deplorable house which was nearly collapsing.

Other than being a Widow, Rose is also living with a disability.

"It has been difficult, trying to fend for myself and the family since my husband passed on a couple of years ago," she narrated.

But Rose's fortunes changed and she did not just receive a decent house from the initiative, but her kids' school fees were paid by WEP.

Her story of jubilation is similar to many of such beneficiaries who are spread throughout the four Luo Nyanza counties where the program is implemented.

The Nyanza Widows Empowerment Program is not just a ray of hope but a shining beacon of change, illuminating the path towards a brighter and more inclusive future for widows in Nyanza.

Through unity, support, and advocacy, they are rewriting the narrative, proving that every life, every voice, and every dream matters.

According to the program's coordinator Victor Ayugi, over 2,500 widows have benefitted from the initiative.

"This program's primary objective is to uplift the spirits of widows, instilling in them a profound sense of self-worth while equipping them wit

h skills and knowledge to surmount life's challenges," he said.

"In doing so, they become catalysts for social change, not just for themselves but for their communities as well," he added.

In addition to their financial support, the program undertakes the task of constructing homes for widows facing extreme poverty

Dr. Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary of Internal Security and National Administration, serves as the patron of the program.

The program targets existing widow groups in the region.

"Under his guidance, the Nyanza Widows Empowerment Program has set its sights on existing widow groups in the Nyanza wards, aiming to make a meaningful impact on their lives," the coordinator stated.

"Since its inception, the program has touched the lives of over 2500 widows hailing from Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisumu, and Migori counties," he added.

Once identified, the program then directly funds economic ventures that the widows are engaged in such as farming, poultry keeping and chamas.

"The core of their support lies in financial contributions directly to well-established and active chama bank accounts," Ayugi noted.

This approach, according to the program's coordinator has enhanced the widows' economic activities, such as farming, poultry rearing, and chama group ventures.

"The financial boost doesn't only expand their profit margins but also goes further into uplifting their livelihoods," he said.

He further observed that the homes being constructed for the widows serve as a sanctuary, particularly during severe weather conditions, ensuring improved health and overall well-being.

"This initiative perfectly aligns with the government's Bottom-Up approach to economic empowerment," he noted.

"By directly investing in these widows and their communities at the grassroots level, the Nyanza Widows Empowerment Program exemplifies the principles of economic empowerment from the ground up," he pointed out.

According to Ayugi, the initiative empowers widows to take control of their economic destinies, fostering self-reliance and resilience in the face of adversity.

"Elevating the status of women in society, especially widows, is of paramount importance in the nation's development," affirmed the Program Coordinator.

He noted that by championing and bolstering women's economic endeavours at the grassroots level, the program empowers the widows to play a more active role in socio-economic decision-making.

"As a united team, we've succeeded in bringing smiles to the faces of widows and reminding them that their lives and social contributions are significant. With Dr. Raymond as our patron, his enduring dream is to eradicate social and gender discrimination within his hometown and the wider region," he said.

According to Dr Omollo who is the program's patron, society moves forward when the most vulnerable is uplifted.

"This is the essence of the government's Bottom-Up approach, where the empowerment of the most vulnerable in society is a cornerstone of progress," he said.