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WIDOW CARE- SHALOM NAMUTERE COMMUNITY PROJECT RESPONDS TO WIDOWS IN THE COMMUNITY.

 Whats our response?

As a project, we are careful not to respond to the effects of poverty but be daily working towards dealing with the causes of poverty. We like to observe economic, political, social, and spiritual systems that contribute significantly to the effects we deal with.

 Our first widow's meeting was held as a response to the trauma and pain that we see in the women in the community. We held a meeting with widows at Shalom center on the 19th. March. 2022.

The greatest objective of the meeting was to listen to them, appreciate their stories by giving them hope and be able to know how they could be helped and facilitated to thrive.
We were able to ask a few questions that happened in different groups with the following in mind.
1 Hearing their Stories, thoughts, how do they feel, what has been the impact on them as a result of losing their husbands
2. How have they been able to cope to date.
3. Who, what can support them, and what resources are available to them and around them.

What are some of their challenges?
They struggle to pay school fees.
No land to cultivate even when they would want to.
Some of them are sick and unable to take care of family. Some have undergone operations due to different sicknesses, and others have other illnesses.
Some are tortured by neighbors and the community because the respect they got from their husbands is no more.
One, in particular, has natural hazards each time she is disturbed by monkeys.
Some have struggled to educate their children, and after school, there are no jobs for them.
Some lack shelter to live in.
Some were left with sick children, and the ability to take care of their medications is complex.



WHAT HAS HELPED THEM TO COPE?
1. Some are in poultry, have ducks, and goats on a small scale, though.
2. Majority dig to earn a living. Some on their own land others go dig for people to get money.
3. A few have some small businesses that keep them, but they lack capital.
4. Some have been supported by some friends and relatives.
5. Others belong to some groups where they borrow money, but the interest rates are high.

WAY FORWARD FROM AMONG THEMSELVES
A suggestion is to use the talents and skills such as making mats and other things and sell them.
To start a family among themselves and start saving even when it is small, and later share the savings.
Others feel they could do small business groups, which they hope we can finance.
One particular one has much land; she could rent it out to others to farm.
Others want capital to add to their small projects.


Shalom believes such meetings happen in the hearing of God, and we will trust God to open those doors. We strongly believe that God upholds the widows and invites us to participate in seeking justice and pleading with the widow's cause. These are women who carry the huge burden of raising their children, among other things. Let's keep praying for them and join in any way possible to meet their diverse needs.

Contact us if that is an area you would like to participate in.

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