Restoring Dignity: Opening Ceremony of Agnes Waggay’s Renovated Home

On Friday, 9th January 2025, the Jamil and Nyanga Jaward Foundation held an opening ceremony in the Congo Town community to officially hand over a newly renovated home to one of its widows, Agnes Waggay.

Agnes is the longest-serving member of the foundation and a powerful symbol of resilience. Her life journey has been marked by deep loss and unwavering determination. Orphaned as a teenager, she later lost her husband shortly after the birth of her last child, leaving her as the sole provider for her family.

With limited resources, Agnes turned to selling charcoal and street food to support her children. Through hardship, exhaustion, and uncertainty, she held onto one dream to educate her children and give them opportunities she never had. Despite many setbacks, her eldest child, now 30, is only just completing university. She also continues to care for a sickle-cell child who requires weekly hospital visits.

Recognizing her strength and long-standing commitment, the foundation included Agnes’s housing project during its fundraising event on November 23rd, 2025. Thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters, funds were raised to renovate her home and provide her family with a safe and dignified living environment.

The opening ceremony marked more than the completion of a building it symbolized restored hope, stability, and dignity for Agnes and her children.

The Jamil and Nyanga Jaward Foundation extends heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed, whether in cash or in kind. Your support has made a lasting difference in the life of a family that has endured so much.

As a foundation, we remain committed to empowering widows and vulnerable women in Sierra Leone, ensuring they receive the support, respect, and opportunities they deserve.

Agnes’s story reminds us that behind every strong woman is a journey worth honoring—and behind every act of giving is the power to change lives forever.