Widows Program
a component of our Mtsiliza Village Partnership Program
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When Children of the Nations first began ministering to the village of Mtsiliza, one of the greatest identified problems was the high number of widows who were unable to care for their children. These women who had lost their husbands (many to HIV/AIDS, which is an epidemic in Malawi) were left with no income with which to sustain themselves or their children, oftentimes numbering ten or more.
In 2006, COTN Venture Program intern Monica Marek, serving in Malawi for the summer, introduced a small circle of widows to knitting, offering daily classes throughout the summer. These women in turn took what they had learned and taught other women, and by the time Monica returned the following summer the “Widows Project,” as it came to be referred to, was in full force. The widows of Mtsiliza had taken ownership and were eager for more.
Today, the Widows Program, now an official component of the Mtsiliza Village Partnership Program, offers vocational skills training that empowers widows not only to amply provide for their families, but also enables them to become successful members of the workforce, positively impacting their community. Classes include Knitting, Crocheting, Embroidery, Machine Sewing, Cooking for Large Groups, and Baking.
The program’s goal of self-sustainability is the key to its success. When a woman sells an item, half of the profit goes to her own account, and the other half is returned to the program to cover supplies and administration. These women have learned the value of accountability and friendship in the process of becoming strong and self-sufficient. Additional programs, such as raising chickens, will soon add to the women’s skills set.
Currently, the Widows Program is unique to the Mtsiliza Village Partnership Program. However, due to the success of this program in Mtsiliza, plans to establish similar programs in other villages are in development. The widows of Mtsiliza hope to participate in this process themselves, helping other widows.
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