Female lecturers at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) have donated assorted food items, toiletries, beddings and essential items to widows living in extreme poverty in Bondo sub-county.
The twenty seven widows, drawn from Sakwa North and West wards, expressed gratitude for the donations which they said will greatly support their livelihoods.
Speaking in Bondo town during the community outreach conducted by the institution, JOOUST Director of Quality Assurance Prof. Pamela Raburu said the initiative is aimed at supporting widows in the region to navigate socio-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 Director revealed that the institution has a Work-study program that enables students from vulnerable homes to work and be paid stipends to help them make ends meet as they continue their studies.
Prof. Raburu, who spoke on behalf of JOOUST Vice Chancellor (VC) 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 and put a smile on their faces,” she said.
Members of County Assembly (MCA) of the sub-counties lauded the university for the initiative and calling on investors and financial institutions to follow their lead through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
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Taabu Osewe (West Sakwa) asked the widows to form groups to be utilized as platforms to get funds and training on entrepreneurship.
“I have gone to financial institutions to seek help on behalf of our widows and I have received positive response from the recently launched Diamond Trust bank which has offered to train widow groups and give business funds,” she disclosed.
Oliver Arika (North Sakwa) said that Siaya is committed to address issues affecting widows and revealed that MCAs were working on a Bill that will empower widows in the region.
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.
A similar exercise was conducted in Siaya town where widows from Alego Usonga sub-county benefited from donations from the university.
By Erick Nyayiera
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