VPA’S focus

Women’s Care Ministry

Widows and other vulnerable women…

… are profoundly valued by Village Project Africa. Women play a crucial role in supporting and advancing the community, and each one wants to  improve the area where their children will grow and eventually contribute. VPA seeks to support these women through education, health care, economic growth programs, and women’s groups.  We teach them skills like bead-making, sewing and farming so they can support themselves.

Meet Janet…

…a widow with 7 children and several grandchildren. She was sickly. but her family needed her to be strong and healthy since she is the only caregiver for the children.  She cares for her son’s baby who was born prematurely and whose mother died in childbirth from sickle cell anemia complications. Janet sold her only sheep to pay for the baby’s mother’s funeral. While she miraculously had the skills to keep the tiny baby alive, her own health suffered and they had no food in the house.  She and the baby needed medical attention.  It was a desperate situation. 

Through the generosity of VPA donors, we were able to get her and the baby the medical attention needed and also to provide food and support for the children in Janet’s care.  She now has a posho mill and can grind corn for others in the community, earning a steady income.  

Janet’s story is one of many who are in desperate or dangerous situations.  We can help many in less dramatic yet very important ways.  Some begin to thrive knowing someone cares about them. We give them all opportunities to gather as a group to share and encourage each one.

 

Sewing and beadmaking…

… are skills several of our women have learned.  Many have learned to sew proficiently on our treadle machines.  They mend uniforms for our children, sew bags and aprons to sell from fabric Margaret buys in Nairobi. Each bag is unique.  The paper bead-making was taught by a Ugandan.   

We sell their bags and jewelry to visitors in Kenya and in the US.  Many women are now able to take care of their children and improve their homes with a sturdier metal roof.

 

 

Facts

100% of the proceeds earned from the sale of beads and bags goes back to the women

Women meet weekly for worship and fellowship

New homes and wells are provided for the most needy

Education and training for life skills are offered, including:

    • bead making
    • sewing/tailoring
    • literacy
    • farming
    • health and sanitation

“Widows are shunned in Kenya—at Village Project Africa they are welcomed and loved. James 1:27 reminds us that ‘Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction … ’ ”
– Margaret Lewis, Founder and President


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