April 5, 2024

NUF ASSESSES IMPACT OF WIDOWS’ SMILE 2.0 IN JIWA COMMUNITY

On April 5, 2024, the Nikki Udezue Foundation (NUF) carried out an impact assessment visit to Jiwa Community, Abuja, as a follow-up to its Widows’ Smile 2.0 initiative launched in 2023. The visit aimed to evaluate the progress of beneficiaries who received business grants, mentorship, and support under the empowerment program.

The Widows’ Smile project was initiated over two years ago to uplift widows in hard-to-reach communities in Abuja. Since its inception, the initiative has empowered hundreds of women with financial support, resources, and business guidance. This recent visit confirmed the project’s ongoing success, as many of the women assessed had grown their businesses, improved their family living standards, and gained greater independence.

The assessment began with a warm reception from the Madaki of Jiwa, who expressed appreciation for NUF’s continued presence in the community. Selected beneficiaries who had shown exceptional progress received additional food palliatives as encouragement. The team also paid homage to the Emir of Jiwa, Alhaji Dr. Idris Musa, who applauded NUF’s efforts and granted the Foundation free and open access to the community for future initiatives.

Among the inspiring testimonies, beneficiaries like Mrs. Abigail Joseph shared how she moved from total dependence to running multiple businesses, enrolling her children in private schools, and living independently. Mrs. Stella Nwatu highlighted the foundation’s consistent support and how it improved her mental well-being and family’s stability. Another beneficiary, Mrs. Aisha Shehu, transitioned from selling masa to distributing fabrics, footwear, and hijabs across and beyond Jiwa.

This visit not only reaffirmed the tangible success of the Widows’ Smile project but also built deeper trust between NUF and the Jiwa community. The initiative has contributed to reducing poverty, dependency, and gender-based inequalities, while promoting dignity and self-reliance among widows.

As NUF continues its mission to transform lives and build a fair society for marginalized groups, it calls on individuals, government, and development organizations to support and expand these life-changing interventions to more communities across Nigeria.