Widows in Bondo Sub County had something to smile about after they received donations of assorted food items and toiletries from the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).
The 27 widows drawn from North and West Sakwa wards living in extreme poverty received the essential items in addition to soap and bed sheets to support their livelihoods.
Speaking in Bondo town during community outreach conducted by the institution, JOOUST director of quality assurance Prof Pamela Raburu said the initiative spearheaded by female professors at the University is aimed at supporting widows in the region to navigate through social economic challenges.
“As an institution we want to support our widows and other vulnerable groups because they go through a lot to raise their families. Widows in the region still face a lot of discrimination and they need people who can show them that they still care about them,” disclosed Prof Raburu.
The Quality assurance director revealed that JOOUST has a work study programme that enables students from vulnerable homes to work and be paid stipends that help them make ends meet as they undertake their studies.
Prof Raburu who spoke on behalf of JOOUST Vice chancellor prof Emily Akuno asked other institutions and partners in the region to work together with the university to address the plight of the widows in the region.
“This is just the beginning but we are looking forward to work with other institutions and well-wishers to reach more widows by putting a smile on their faces,” said Raburu.
Sakwa North and West members of county assembly who graced the occasion lauded the University for Initiative aimed at touching lives of the vulnerable in the society calling upon other investors and financial institutions to embrace the same through their Cooperate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Taabu Osewe (West Sakwa) asked the widows to form groups where there can be assisted to get funds and business training.
“I have gone to financial institutions to seek help on behalf of our widows and I have received positive response for the recently launched Diamond Trust bank which has offered to train widow groups and give business funds,” she disclosed.
Oliver Arika (North Sakwa) said the county government of Siaya under the leadership of governor Orengo is committed to address issues of Widows in Siaya county and as members of the county assembly they are working on the widows bills currently at the assembly that will transform and give security to widows in the region.
“We will ensure that bill is passed to ensure the lives and property of the widows in Siaya is safeguarded,” he said.
Widows Roda Adaa and Benter Anyango expressed their gratitude to JOOUST saying the donations will make a difference in their lives asking the university to support more widows through the initiative.
Similar exercise was conducted in Siaya town where Widows from Alego Usonga Sub County benefited from donations from JOOUST.
By Brian Ondeng
