Empower 100 Nigerian Widows through Economic Dev.

Introduction:
Since our last update, Buhknom Development Foundation has continued to walk closely with the 30 widows initially empowered through the EmpowerHer project. Although we have not received additional funding to expand our reach to the remaining 70 widows, our team has remained committed to following up with the current beneficiaries to sustain and deepen the impact of their economic empowerment.

Follow-Up Activities:

Business Monitoring Visits: We conducted in-person and phone check-ins with the 30 empowered widows to assess progress, challenges, and growth opportunities.

Peer Support Meetings: Monthly gatherings were organized to foster peer learning, encourage accountability, and share business insights among participants.

Savings Plan Reinforcement: We intensified encouragement around our monthly savings scheme. Several women have now built small savings to reinvest in their businesses or handle emergencies.

Mentor Check-Ins: Mentors continued to provide guidance, motivation, and practical support to help beneficiaries navigate business obstacles.

Stories of Transformation:

Fatima, a widow has grown her petty trade business by reinvesting her profits and now supports three other widows in her neighborhood with mentorship and startup advice.

Grace, who started a small food vending stall with her seed grant, has doubled her daily sales and enrolled her child in school for the first time in two years.

These stories show the ripple effect one small grant can have—not just for one woman, but for entire communities.

Ongoing Challenges:

Funding Gap: Without additional funds, we are unable to reach the remaining 70 widows eagerly waiting for support.

Limited Training Tools: While our in-house team continues training, a lack of materials and technology limits the depth of skill-building sessions.

Next Steps:

Fundraising Campaign: We are planning a local and online campaign to mobilize resources to empower the next batch of 70 widows.

Impact Documentation: We are gathering video and photo testimonials from beneficiaries to highlight their transformation and inspire future donors.

Collaborations: We are actively seeking local partnerships to provide free vocational training opportunities and access to market linkages for the women.

A Call to Action:
The journey is far from over. 30 lives have been touched—but 70 more women remain hopeful. Your continued support can make all the difference. We invite you to share this project, donate if you can, and join us in creating sustainable change, one widow at a time.

With Gratitude,