IPE Partners (1)

St. James Church/Cholinga Widows Group

CWG was initiated in 2003 when a seminar was convened for the widows as part of a church-wide spiritual renewal program. At the seminar it was resolved to have an organized group, so that widows could support each other, the elderly, and orphans spiritually, financially, and physically. The group spotted Memory Harry, a young member of the congregation, and a student at Stella Maris Girls Secondary School. Memory has no parents and is care for by an elderly grandmother. Her teachers supported her school fees, but Memory lacked financial support to buy other necessities. This increased CWG's interest in the welfare of other orphans' educations, besides giving them food items and clothes. The group raised over MK22,000.00 ($164.00) from their pockets, selling food items and membership registration fee to facilitate their initial activities. For sustainability, CWG opened a vegetable garden established mushroom production. In 2007 we plan to have a tailoring shop and raise chickens to add to our income generating activities. We thank God for the relationship He has made between you and us. Your support has made us work beyond our strength. We planned to support few orphans on fees, but at the end of the year we have supported more because of your assistance.