Widows from three sub-counties in Kisii County have met to chart a way forward on their myriads of challenges facing them through an initiative that is meant to Transform their lives.
At least 500 widows from Bomachoge Borabu, Bomachoge Chache and Bobasi constituencies converged at Igorera grounds in Bombaba Borabu Ward to launch a Sacco dubbed ‘Jalia Africa and Child’, through which they can be assisted from any quarters.
Addressing the press during the event which was organised by teachers from the locality yesterday, one widow, Ema Kemunto who is also the secretary of the Sacco said they intended to use the movement to empower themselves to carry out various projects including farming and livestock production among others.
Kemunto noted that the group which was started in January this year had a group of 380 registered people but registration was still ongoing to raise the number to the target of 1000.
“We are helping ourselves by brainstorming on matters of education, farming, livestock production and banana farming among other businesses,” she said.
Kemunto appealed to well-wishers to help them address their challenges, including discrimination and abuse of human rights which included property encroachment and land grabbing.
Nora Nyamwita Makori noted that many were benefiting from the social support they were giving each other, including meeting each other’s household needs.
Bombaba Borabu area MCA Beatrice Kerubo said the main aim of forming the Jalia movement was to enable the women get a platform through which they could get help to meet their needs including from well-wishers.
Kerubo applauded the local teachers and leaders and other well-wishers who contributed in any way to uplift the women.
She noted that the widows mainly lived in fear but were strengthened through such meetings which also gave them exposure.
The MCA said that it was easier to help them as a group after identifying their needs, adding that over 300 widows out of the 1000 from her ward had already joined the group.
The group Director Wilfred Makori Said the initiative helped the widows feel accepted and useful, therefore enabling them to come out and venture into development and lead normal lives.
He applauded the men who were supporting them, saying it was helping to assure them they were secure just like the fathers did in a family setup, by offering guidance and confidence.
He said the initiative was registered last year with only 20 widows from the church but has since grown after others saw the benefits and joined, growing the number to 1000 so far although only 370 were already registered.
Teacher Walter Ontweka of Kerongorori Secondary School and a member of Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers Union Said the movement acted as an empowerment system, leaving no member behind.
Ontweka called upon the society to remember what he termed as marginalized groups including widows in the society, even as they fight for the girl child.
He said the widows had been forgotten with some lacking basic documents like their spouses’ death certificates, posing challenges to advancement of children education or even acquiring loans.
Judith Onderi, the Deputy Director Jalia initiative explained that she was moved to assist because as a teacher, she had seen orphans and those pupils from the single mothers’ families grapple with lack of basic things like shoes, books and fees.
She said that as teachers they decided to assist but their support was not adequate and called upon others including the government, to come in.
“Their children are the most mistreated, molested, and abused although they turn out to be very bright students,” she said.
By Jane Naitore and Clinton Nyamumbo
