By Zipporah Umile
Meet Mama Millicent Atieno Abwajo, a widow residing in the heart of Koker Kajulu Location within Seme Sub County, Kisumu. She’s not just a widow but also a mother, shouldering the responsibilities of raising five children. Millicent’s story is one of unwavering hope and restoration, and it’s all thanks to the Manna Widows Program that has been instrumental in addressing the unique needs of widows like her.
Millicent’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. She battled the crippling effects of polio since she was a toddler, spending the first 12 years of her life crawling on all fours, her mobility severely limited. Later in life, she managed to attend school, albeit at a delayed age, leaning on crutches for support. However, these aids eventually wore down, forcing her back into the heartbreaking reality of crawling.
As financial hardships gripped her family, she had to abandon her education. But Millicent’s life took a brighter turn when she found her soulmate and got married. The birth of five children brought joy into her life, albeit briefly, as her husband’s untimely demise shattered their marital bliss, leaving her to navigate the harsh tides of widowhood alone. Her youngest child was just two months old at the time.
Life took an even more challenging twist for Millicent, as she now faced the daunting task of providing for her family as a disabled widow with five dependent children. It wasn’t long before her children were forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints. Yet, Millicent’s indomitable spirit prevailed, and she worked tirelessly in sisal and the charcoal business, earning meager incomes.
Despite her physical limitations, she encouraged her children to contribute to the family’s income. Her son found work as a fisherman, a common occupation for young boys in their region. Her other children joined her in the charcoal trade and helped craft sisal goods. Her eldest daughter ventured to the capital city, where she found employment as a house help. However, their combined earnings barely covered their food expenses, leaving other essential needs unmet.
As the years passed, their family home, left unfinished by Millicent’s late husband, deteriorated further. With its grass-thatched roof and structural issues, it couldn’t withstand the heavy rains. One fateful evening, during dinner, torrential rain began to pour, and their fragile home leaned dangerously to one side. They realized the imminent danger and evacuated hastily.
Their worst fears became a reality when, on a stormy night, their home collapsed. Fortunately, Millicent and her family were safe, but the sight of their ruined house shattered whatever semblance of pride and dignity remained in her. Being a widow was a burden in itself, and now, homelessness added to her woes. Yet, she clung to the flicker of hope she had left, praying for a miracle.
Her miracle arrived through a friend who introduced her to Manna Ministries International, which partnered with All For His Glory Ministries to address the unique needs of widows. With their assistance, Millicent’s life underwent a transformation. First and foremost, a new house was built for her, providing her with a place to call home once again.
Additionally, she was enrolled in a feeding program that provided essential food baskets each month. Her mobility improved significantly with the provision of a new wheelchair. The widows’ care team regularly visited her, assisting with household chores and providing emotional support and prayers.
Today, Mama Atieno is filled with happiness and contentment. The burden of securing food has been lifted, sparing her from physical strain. The construction of her new home was a monumental relief, restoring her dignity and eliminating the shame she once endured. Her newfound mobility allows her to visit friends and socialize with her community.
Millicent attributes this remarkable turnaround in her life to the Manna Widows Program, acknowledging that she would have remained in darkness without their intervention. When you meet Millicent today, you encounter a joyful and contented woman, a testament to the life-changing impact of Manna Ministries in partnership with All For His Glory Ministries.
The widows program has transformed the lives of numerous widows across rural Kenya. To date, the program has constructed over 550 shelters for deserving widows, enrolled more than 350 widows in a monthly food program, and provided support with essential household items such as beds, mattresses, lamps, and water tanks. Through these interventions, widows are empowered to rebuild their lives with confidence, dignity, and hope.
If you’d like to support our widows’ program, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. Your assistance can make a significant difference in the lives of widows like Millicent, offering them a chance at a brighter and more hopeful future.
