WOW WIDOWS VISIT SOMEBODY CARES OFFICES

A delegation of 30 widows representing the entire WOW widows in Njewa and Chitukula communities paid a courtesy visit to Somebody Cares offices on Saturday, January 19. The main purpose of their visit was to express their gratitude to the CEO and WOW donors for the immeasurable assistance the program gave them last year. ‘On behalf of the WOW beneficiaries, we have come this morning to thank the CEO and to ask her convey our thanks to the WOW donors for the support they gave us last year. The WOW program has not only brought us hope and confidence but has also put us on the path to self-reliance”, commented Ellen Khwangwi, the zone coordinator for Njewa. The women assured the donors that they were determined to work even harder this year so as to achieve more.

Amid singing and mesmeric dancing, the widows brought life to the office which is normally quiet on weekends.

The CEO later briefed them on the program activities for 2008. They were shown various items that were to be delivered to the two communities for their program. These items included bicycles, home used energy saving rocket stoves and electric sewing machines. Those WOW widows who are involved in baking and selling cakes will receive the bicycles to enable them to take there wares to the neighbouring markets and schools. There is an acute shortage of fuel wood in these communities. As such, most people go several kilometers in search of firewood. This commodity is very expensive in the communities. The use of energy saving rocket stoves will go a long way in reducing the difficulties faced by the widows. The stove is over 75 percent more efficient in cooking than the traditional open fire cooking system. The most vulnerable will receive these stoves. Widows who have made remarkable progress in sewing will be given the electric sewing machines. The training venue in Chitukula has a supply of electricity and these widows will be trained there to use the machines for sewing, stitching and embroidering.

Meanwhile, Paul Kenamu, a son of Fanny Kenamu has been admitted to Salima Secondary School (a government school) this academic year, starting mid January. WOW program paid the tuition and boarding fees and Paul is now enjoying his first year of secondary school life. ‘Being fatherless and with a sick and poor mother, I never thought I would ever go to secondary school. Thanks to WOW program for enabling me achieve my long-term of getting at least secondary school education,' commented Paul as he bade farewell.

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