TUESDAY THOUGHT
“Widows don’t need pity — they need opportunity.”
At the J.O. Obaniyi Foundation, we are deeply committed to recognizing the strength, resilience, and dignity of every woman especially those who have experienced the profound pain of loss.
Consider the story of one of the widows we serve.
She became a widow at the age of 41. Not long after, she tragically lost her 18-year-old child, the only one helping her earn a living by hawking goods. Left with four children and no support from her late husband’s family, she was forced to navigate life’s harsh realities alone. For months, she lived in silence and despair. Her children worked as maids in local canteens just to survive. Forgotten by society and reduced to a symbol of sorrow, the only response she received was pity, occasional food handouts, forced smiles, or, worse, total neglect.
But what she needed was not pity.
She needed a chance, an opportunity to rebuild, to be equipped, and to dream again.
When she came into contact with the J.O. Obaniyi Foundation, we didn’t ask her what she lacked, we asked her what she had the potential to become. Through our empowerment programs, she received a grinding machine and hands-on training in soap making. Today, she is not only sustaining her household income but also helping other widows, leading our cooperative scheme, and, through the Foundation’s support, her child is now on educational scholarships.
Her transformation was not the result of charity, it was the outcome of strategic empowerment.
This is the heart of our mission.
We offer comprehensive skill acquisition programs, starter kits, financial literacy training, and market access with the aim of restoring dignity and building sustainable livelihoods. We don’t just respond to need; we invest in potential. Because we firmly believe that widowhood is not the end of a woman’s purpose – it can be the beginning of a new chapter.
Let today’s thought serve as a reminder:
Stop offering pity.
Start creating opportunities.
When widows are empowered, families are uplifted, children are educated, and entire communities are transformed.
Partner with us today:
Visit: http://www.joobaniyifoundation.org, or reach us at +234 903 571 8621.
Let’s make it a year remembered for kindness, impact, and restored lives.
Together, we can rewrite someone’s story.
