A widows’ empowerment program championed by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo, is changing the lives of vulnerable families through housing support and community-based economic initiatives.
The program, which targets widows facing social and economic hardship, has delivered permanent homes and strengthened grassroots support systems.
In one of the latest beneficiaries, Jackline Atieno Ngeso, a widow and mother of six, received a permanent house in the presence of community members and local leaders.
Family Overwhelmed with Gratitude
Jackline Atieno, together with her family have expressed their joy after benefitting from the initiative.
“Today I am very happy, my fellow women have come. And today, they are also happy that I have received a house,” said Jackline during the handover ceremony.
In her narration, Ngeso said that before her husband’s death, Jackline said they relied on shared resources to raise their children.
“Before my husband passed away, the little we used to get, we would share as we raised our children. Now I am left alone with the children,” she explained.
According to her son, cultural expectations in the community require elders to establish their homes before younger family members can build their own.
He acknowledged the support extended to his family, stating that the assistance had made a significant difference.
“According to our culture and traditions, the elders must build first before I build. So, Raymond has helped me a lot,” he said.
Overcome with joy, Ngeso’s daughter stood outside the newly constructed house supported by PS Raymond Omollo.
“And this is our new home,” she said.
Community-Based Empowerment Championed by Raymond Omollo
Beyond housing, the widows’ empowerment initiative also encourages collective economic models.
Jackline is part of a group of 30 women who operate a merry-go-round and table banking system to support one another financially.
“In our group, we are 30 women. In our group, we have a merry-go-round and table banking. That is where they chose me,” she said.
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Youth leader Tonny Blair Okeke described the struggles Jackline endured before receiving support.
“She was walking around asking for a job just to get something so that the kids can get food,” he said.
He added that the program identifies and prioritizes vulnerable individuals within the community.
“She deserves this opportunity because she is vulnerable. I think these are the people who deserve the help.”
The initiative aligns housing assistance with grassroots economic empowerment, ensuring that beneficiaries are not only sheltered but also integrated into sustainable support networks.
Community Reaction and Social Impact
Residents have welcomed the intervention from PS Raymond Omollo, describing it as transformative.
Elizabeth Onyango, a resident, said the scale of the support exceeded expectations.
“We could not have imagined that something like this could happen because the house itself is permanent,” she said.
Also Read: PS Raymond Omollo Leads Drive to Shield Widows from Disinheritance
She added that widows in the area have faced prolonged hardship.
“Omollo has taken the vulnerable people, the lowly people, and lifted them. Many widows have suffered a lot, but he has given himself. I thank him very much, and may he continue helping others.”
Elizabeth noted that stable housing restores dignity to families and offers children a sense of belonging.
“It is good because the children will be happy since they also have their own homestead, their own house, like other children.”
Tonny Blair Okeke described the reception given to the Principal Secretary during visits to the area.
“When Raymond Omollo comes here, he is our son. We welcome him because he is bringing back to the people,” he said.
Residents emphasized that such interventions rarely reach individuals in Jackline’s position.
“The work that Dr Raymond is doing is very good. No one would have known that somebody like Jackline would get such a house,” they commented.
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