Honoring Resilience: How the Jamil and Nyanga Jaward Foundation is Changing the Story for Widows in Africa

As we mark International Widows Day, we pause to reflect on a journey rooted in compassion, courage, and transformation.

At the heart of this story is the Jamil and Nyanga Jaward Foundation a movement that began with quiet acts of kindness and has grown into a powerful force for change, bringing hope and dignity to widows and their children across Africa.

What started as a simple desire to help has become a structured mission to restore lives, build stronger communities, and fight for the rights of women who are so often overlooked. This day reminds us not just of the pain of loss, but of the power we have to help widows rise again stronger, bolder, and more included than ever before.

A Legacy of Compassion

Before the Foundation ever had a name, the work had already begun. Back in 2017, widows in the Central African Republic received small business grants that helped them take their first steps toward independence. That same year, the seeds of peace were planted as Christian and Muslim children came together through shared initiatives a powerful symbol of unity in diversity.

In 2018, the Jamil and Nyanga Jaward Foundation was officially registered in Sierra Leone, turning a heartfelt mission into a legal and operational platform for impact.

Reaching Across Borders

Since then, the Foundation has extended its support to communities in Liberia, Malawi, the Central African Republic, and Sierra Leone. From backing survivors of sexual violence in Liberia to distributing school supplies in Malawi, every action has carried a clear message: you matter, and we see you.

But it’s in Sierra Leone where the Foundation’s work has taken the deepest root bringing not just aid, but real, lasting change.

Restoring Dignity in Sierra Leone

Widows in Sierra Leone often face hardship on every front emotional, financial, and social. The Foundation’s programs tackle those challenges head-on:

• Business Development Services – Helping widows launch small businesses through training, start-up capital, and ongoing support

• Education Support – Covering school fees and materials for widows' children to break the cycle of poverty

• Health Access – Offering medical care, donations, and mental health support to treat the whole person

• Women's Rights Advocacy – Empowering women through legal education, inheritance rights awareness, and protection against discrimination

Strength in Community

Through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), widows meet weekly to save, borrow, and support each other emotionally. These groups are more than financial tools they’re lifelines of sisterhood and solidarity.

Community charladies act as key links between the Foundation and the grassroots, ensuring that every program is shaped by the people it’s meant to serve.

A Day to Remember and to Act

This International Widows Day is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a chance to remember, to honor, and to step up.

Every new business started, every child in school, every woman who feels seen and supported these are the real stories behind the statistics.

The theme “Beyond Grief” is not just a slogan. It’s a call to action.

You Can Make a Difference

Whether you’re an individual, a business, or a policymaker, there’s something you can do to help transform the future for widows.

👉 Learn more or support us at: www.jnjf.org

📩 Contact us: info@jnjf.org

Let’s build a world where no widow is left behind. Together, we can.