AWACIO

International Womens Day (IWD) Event 2015
May 23rd of every year is a day set aside to celebrate Widows globally. Every year AWACIO uses that day to celebrate International Widow’s Day (IWD) with her widows both in the Bwari community, Abuja and Enugwu Ukwu, Anambra State, Nigeria.

The program started at 12:10am at the Women’s Development Centre, Bwari, with an opening prayer said by Christy Bulus, after which the CEO of AWACIO, Dr. Claudia Okeke, briefly explained to the women the essence and importance of the day.

The women were given the opportunity to discuss with staff of AWACIO and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWA & SD) on the benefits derived from the empowerment programs they participated in and the challenges they faced.

Mrs. Cynthia, a representative of FMWA & SD, gave an opening remark and encouraged the women to continue on their endeavors and that with God things will surely get better.  
Fenu Gambo, was trained in Bead Making but said that the market was saturated so she decided to channel the funds given to her into the buying and selling of rice and melon. She said, “Things are beginning to move well for my family and I thank God for using AWACIO to come to my aid.”
Comfort Godwin said that the requests she receives for cake making is not a daily routine, so she used the money that was given to her to further train on how to make insecticides in order to supplement her cake business. She shared that people always ask her how she started and she always refers them to the help she got from God through AWACIO.
Laraba Shuaibu explained that she is using her hair dressing skills to help her family and train her grand-children in school. She expressed that if not for AWACIO, she wouldn’t have been able to do it on her own.

In response to the comments, Dr. Okeke encouraged the women and told them that life is a gradual process and with persistence in their various skills they will succeed. She also told them not to lose hope that God will continue to be with them.
Following this, wrappers and monetary awards were given to each of the women and few of them that were in the hospital sent representatives to collect gifts on their behalf.
Mrs. Sarah asked the women to explain how they kept records of their transactions. During the interaction session we were made to understand that most of the women were using their money to buy and sell in other businesses or in the training of their children. Mrs. Sarah briefly explained to the women the common method of book keeping to allow them plan for rainy days.

The women were filled with joy and sang songs of joy to God. After lunch was served, Dr. Okeke gave closing remarks and group photographs were taken. Everyone departed happily at about 2:35pm.