Living James 1:27
As part of the show, we invite listeners to live what they believe! James 1:27 reads, “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” In response, Somebody Cares has started a Widow and Orphan fund. Working with partner organizations, Somebody Cares provides for the special needs of orphans as well as widows in need who have served the Lord alongside their husbands. As part of a company of women supporting widows and orphans, together we can meet many needs.
The Widow Project
Widows are one of the most neglected groups of people in African society. Millions of widows have been left to fend for themselves because of war, Malaria, AIDS and COVID, forced removal to refugee camps, urbanization, and cultural confusion caused by modernization. Widows are often left with children and grandchildren to care for but without the training or skills to support themselves. The Widow Project was created for these vulnerable yet courageous women who face daunting challenges every day just to survive, much less provide for their families or make contributions to the welfare of the community. Each monthly donation supports a widow and her children (if she has any) by providing funding for their daily needs including food, lodging, school fees, medical care, and other essentials. Every widow is also connected with a partner church to provide additional programs such as life skills and microbusiness training. Some of these women might even receive a start-up loan to begin a business! Partner churches also provide coaching and materials for spiritual and personal growth. The Widow Project is a ministry of Somebody Cares International in partnership with From Ashes to Beauty. To give to The Widow Project click here.
A Story Of What We Have Done Together:
When children—especially girls—have to shower or take bucket baths outside and use an outhouse or latrine, it can be humiliating and, in some cases, even a safety issue.
But now, thanks to the generosity of our Somebody Cares supporters, over 20 orphan girls at Ebenezer Children’s Home in Siaya County, Kenya, have had their dignity restored!
Over the past 11 years, EmPowered Living International Ministries has been helping Ebenezer Children’s Home with food, medicine, toys, school materials, clothes, a new kitchen, latrines, water containers, and more.
“But we always wanted to bless the girls with private, indoor bathrooms,” said Daniel Gilbert, CEO, who co-founded the ministry with his wife, Mary Beth.
With a generous donation from the Somebody Cares Widow & Orphan Fund, Somebody Cares was able to bless the orphanage by funding this project.
“The girls feel loved and cared for, because of your partnership with us,” Daniel added. “As founder of EmPowered Living, I am so humbled by the generosity of Somebody Cares! You heard about our need and said ‘Yes!’”
When Pastor Paul O’Chieng, theDirector of Ebenezer Children’s Home, heard about this gift to build the bathrooms, he said, with tears in his eyes, “Praise the Lord! We have always longed for and needed indoor facilities for our girls to give them a sense that they are truly loved and not forgotten. Thank you!”
As the new facilities were nearing completion, the Kenya National Orphanage Committee arrived for their annual review. They were flabbergasted with the new bathroom building and its five private showers, four private toilets, and two sinks. All because of Somebody Cares!
“They had never seen an indoor bathroom at an orphanage like this,” Daniel recalled. One committee member asked, “Who would do this for these children?” And the Kenyan director wrote in his final report, “There is not a finer bathroom facility at an orphanage in all of Kenya!”
“To our partners at Somebody Cares, the girls say, ‘Thank you for giving us dignity!’” Daniel said. “And Mary Beth and I say thank you for making this happen!”
The Widow & Orphan Fund was started in conjunction with the Her God Story podcast, hosted by SCA Vice President Jodie Chiricosta.