Across Tanzania, hundreds of thousands of women have lost their husbands to HIV/AIDS, diseases, other illnesses and accidents. Oftentimes, after a man dies, his surviving wife and children face extreme challenges including economic hardships, social stigmatization, and abuse and mistreatment from the husband/father’s extended family. Relatives of the deceased often take back the husband’s properties, leaving the surviving wife and children with little to nothing. Othertimes women are forced to marry one of her husband’s brothers to keep his “property” within the family. Children are particularly at risk as they are often forced to drop from school and are left uniquely vulnerable to physical and sexual violence as well as teen marriage and slave labor.
Unite is committed to empowering as many impoverished-yet-entrepreneurial widows as possible with loans, grants & mentorship to help them not only survive but THRIVE and achieve independence, dignity, self-respect and self-reliance.
The cost of sponsoring one widow in need for one year? $500. Please email anne@uniteafricafoundation to learn more or CLICK HERE to donate any amount towards this program now.
What does Sponsorship cover?
A grant for each widow to grow and develop her small businesses.
Monthly educational workshops for the widows led by professionals from Tanzania and abroad. Topics TBD.
One-on-one trainings with skilled professionals to assist the women with reading, learning English, business planning, budgeting, family issues, and more.
Support for the Widows to participate in and present at Unite’s annual International Symposium.
Support for the Widow’s with the marketing of their products through Unite’s local and international networks.
Monthly group meetings with Unite’s Program Manager to bring the women together as a group to socialize, share stories, feel a sense of belonging and know that they are worthy, that their hopes and dreams matter, and they are important members of our Unite family.