Widows Freebee

The loss of a partner is devastating

For many women, that loss is magnified by a long-term struggle for basic needs, their human rights and dignity. They may be denied inheritance rights to the piece of land that they relied on for livelihood or evicted from their homes, forced into unwanted marriages or traumatizing widowhood rituals. They are stigmatized for life, shunned and shamed. And, many of these abuses go unnoticed, even normalized.” UN Women, 2018

The death of the spouse can be a major source of loneliness, psycho-social stress, and depression to the widowed persons. Conjugal bereavement may directly deteriorate the physical health of the surviving spouse by impairing the immune system, increasing the prevalence of chronic illnesses.

Researches show that the death of the partner increases the mortality rate of the surviving spouse especially during the first three years, in particular among the older widows

Experts suggest that social relationships and networks may help alleviate loneliness and stress thus enhancing the wellbeing of widowed persons and reducing the costs of formal care services.

The Adamu Yola Ture Foundation (AYTF) aims at contributing to address the challenges faced by indigent widows and their children. And the overall goal of AYTF is to empower the disadvantaged widows, destitute and orphans socially and economically in Nigeria, mainly in Gombe South for now, particularly in rural areas of the region so as to alleviate extreme poverty amongst them, enhance their capabilities, address socio-cultural issues that violate their human rights, and help them live a resilient and fulfilling life. The organization also will implement some programs in the region, aimed at enhancing the psychosocial wellbeing of widows. The main beneficiaries of AYTF are widows and orphans although destitute women and children can also be targeted under exceptional circumstances.

There are many widows who are caregivers of orphaned and vulnerable grandchildren (orphans with special needs). Widows in such a situation need support in various forms which include equipping them with skills that will help them undertake income-generating activities, and providing direct support such as food, clothes and health care (health insurance) for them and their grandchildren.

There are over 698 widows under this scheme that receive the quarterly food items       distribution in the four Local Government Area of the region of Gombe South, places like Awai 1, Awai 2, Lawildu, Biliri, Keng 1, Keng 2, Gidan Addu’a Lakwakwas, Lc Kalari, LC wtc/ladibin/GidanAddu’a karenget, LC  Sabon Layi 1, LC Bishara, LC Nazareth, Ture Mai, Pandi, Okwaldi, Okra, Berberai, Balam, Nyuwar,and jessu and over 5789 in the foundation beneficiaries’ data base.

The older ones within the age range of 60 and above with no any form of help receive the quarterly food items with small token while the average and hearty widows are trained into skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programs to empower them in order to take care of their children.

Objectives of the project.

To fellowship with the widows to make them understand that they are not alone

To give back to the community

To build hope and confident in the vulnerable