Still Waters Foundation has distributed food items and clothing to over 250 vulnerable widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to support their efforts in catering for the family.
Speaking during the event in Abuja, the founder, Dr Femi Lanre-Oke, said that the theme of the event tagged, ‘Renewed hope’, was timely due to the present economic situation of the country.
Lanre-Oke said that the basis for diligently driving the foundation was derived from the passion and need to impact lives.
He emphasised the importance of food in the lives of people especially the underprivileged widows who were facing series of societal challenges and had gone through pain, discrimination and neglect.
Lanre-Oke said that the foundation was not just about helping the widows and the less privileged, but also discovering and empowering the youths to become ambassadors of peace.
‘This is because the first thing about a widow was that you see a person whose joy has been taken away.
‘The husband is no more and more likely
to be the strength of that family. So, when you identify with people like that, you are fulfilling the covenant of God In Isaiah 58, ‘ he said.
According to him, when you see a widow, you see somebody whose joy was stolen, whose strength failed, and who is now alone.
‘So, when you identify with that, you bring encouragement to them, you bring support to them, you are bringing strength to them. That is the major thing, ‘ he said.
Lanre-Oke, who is also the Lead Pastor, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International (JPEMI), urged government to identify with the windows and their children for the growth of the society.
He also urged government at all levels to make life easy and convenient for widows, adding that granting them access to soft loan for a business would go along way.
‘If these widows are strengthened number one, they take care of their children.
‘If they are encouraged and supported, they make provisions for them, make assistance for them, ‘ he said.
He reiterated the commitment of the f
oundation to continue to impact the lives of the less privileged people in the society and other vulnerable.
In their separate remarks, some of the widows expressed gratitude to the foundation as some were seen with smiles and relief on their faces.
Some of the widows that got Tailoring/ Sewing machines, hair dressing materials among others
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that aside the food items and clothing materials donated, five widows were empowered with two hair dressing machines, two tailoring machines and one melon grinding machine.
The Foundation also promised to help the widows by paying the children’s school fees, and setup some of them with business among others in the next edition of the program.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria