STRENGTHENING WIDOWS THROUGH EMPOWERMENT
At the Jo Obaniyi Foundation, our mission is rooted in compassion, empowerment, and sustainable impact. We are dedicated to improving the lives of widows, orphans and less privileged across communities, and one of our most effective strategies in achieving this goal is through economic empowerment.
One of our recent success stories is that of a beneficiary who has experienced transformation through two of our key initiatives: the Foundation’s welfare support program and the Widows’ Cooperative Loan Scheme.
This widow was initially enrolled through our outreach program, which identifies vulnerable widows in need of immediate support — such as food relief, healthcare assistance, and educational support for their children. After receiving initial welfare aid, she was further introduced to our Widows’ Cooperative Scheme, an initiative established to provide widows with access to interest-friendly loans to support their small businesses or vocational ventures.
With the capital accessed through the cooperative loan, she was able to start a palm oil business — a small business she had struggled to start due to lack of funds. Today, she reports significant improvement in her income generation, household stability, and personal confidence. She now plays an active role in the cooperative group, supporting other widows, and also contributes actively to the Foundation as a staff member.
This success highlights what we firmly believe at the Jo Obaniyi Foundation: Empowerment is more effective than charity when it creates the means for people to thrive long after the initial support. Our cooperative scheme is not just about financial aid — it’s about giving widows the tools to regain their independence, rebuild their dignity, and support their families with pride.
We continue to engage, train, and follow up with beneficiaries to ensure that each widow has not only access to funding but also the necessary guidance to manage and grow their income-generating activities. The cooperative also fosters peer support and accountability, which strengthens community bonds and promotes long-term sustainability.
As a Foundation, we recognize the importance of moving from relief to empowerment, from dependency to sustainability. Our approach focuses on providing widows with the support they need today while equipping them for a better tomorrow.
We call on individuals, partners, and institutions who believe in sustainable change to support this initiative. With your partnership, we can expand our reach and continue to provide widows with the financial tools and resources they need to change their stories.
Together, we are making a difference — one widow at a time.
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