In a society where widows are most times neglected, dejected, and isolated, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande (CBA) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation founded to promote the support of widows and disadvantaged children in the society, has expressed its continued support to give hope and strength to widows and disadvantaged children in the society.
Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, founder of CBA Foundation made this known when it organized organized a road walk tagged Walk4Hope2024 on Saturday, the 7th of December, 2024.
The lady philanthropist urged the Government to introduce different economic issues and reforms on the table that will help the plight of widows and the less privileged especially.
“Protecting Widows should be the collective responsibility of government, corporate bodies, and even individuals so as to safeguard widows’ rights and well-being,” she said.
According to her the hardships of thousands of widows spread across the country should not be overlooked or ignored and lamented that underprivileged widows run to the established systems seeking help and protection, and yet nothing happens.
In her own words: “These widows are dehumanised painfully. Nothing happens because they are vulnerable. These widows are maltreated, and nothing happens. This is the time to speak up, listen, represent right, and see through the solution we seek. We need to hear the plans, see actions, and what timelines are in place? Be bold to ask the public to track and hold those in authority accountable. “
In addition, Chinwe said: “Empowering the voice and position of the underprivileged widows in the society through partnerships, empowerment, and capacity building has been our core mandate. We reach out to the widows through medical outreach, skill acquisition training , food and clothing distribution, and one -on-one counseling.
“We reinstate the children of the widows who have dropped out of school back to school and support in paying school fees of some.
“We stand for #EndBrutality #EndDehumanisation on all grounds. We are committed to empowering women in skill acquisition. We support the sick and promote health and healthy living for humanity. We support efforts to provide equitable access to quality education.”
“Approximately 70% of our proceeds go towards setting up business for underprivileged widows, skill acquisition training, medical outreach , food distribution ,educational support of children, and advocacy. Our audited books are up to date and readily available to be shared upon request,” concluded Chinwe.
She is of the opinion that more institutions like CBA Foundation with well-defined structures and government support need to be established to ensure that the virality of such avoidable hardships is greatly controlled.
Since 2015 to date, CBA Foundation has consistently engaged in outreaches, which are embedded under her 5 point agenda and has been touching lives positively. The Foundation for almost a decade has been dedicated to the widows and to bring their hardships into the public eye to drive a change. The Foundation has continued to be their backbone, giving succour and strength to thousands of underprivileged people.
It is an organization with a difference; a tested and trusted institution with transparency. When issues are brought forward, they are handled with a clear strategy, framework, and implementation plan on how it will be followed through.