Mission Statement
The mission of the Women Of Grace Widows’ Fund is to enact and make real an ongoing structure to alleviate the extreme poverty faced by widows in Malawi by providing funding to meet basic food, shelter, and safety needs, while creating opportunities and resources that enable and empower widows to establish their own self-sufficiency and independence, regardless of religious affiliation.
The Women Of Grace Widows' Fund is a joint mission project of the Watertown and Canton First Presbyterian Churches.
Background Info
Since 2008, the Women Of Grace Widows’ Fund has been assisting and empowering women in Malawi, Africa. Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries with an average per capita income of $170. Life expectancy is age 47 with malaria, AIDS and malnutrition as the leading causes of death.
To become a widow in Malawi means to fall into extreme poverty. As in other areas of Africa, the family of the deceased husband forcibly, and sometimes violently, takes all possessions from the widow, leaving her with the children and, if she is lucky, a roof over her head.
Grace Chiumia became one of those widows in 2004. Grace’s friend, Rev. Fred Garry of the First Presbyterian Church in Watertown, New York learned of Grace’s predicament and sought assistance for her. When presented with the generous donation, Grace responded that there was enough to help her as well as other widows in Mzuzu, Malawi. Thus the Women Of Grace Widows’ Fund was born.
Today the Widows’ Fund has grown to assist widows throughout Northern Malawi by providing funds for school fees, medical expenses, roofing materials, fertilizer for gardens, shallow wells and legal advocacy fees, The Women Of Grace Widows’ Fund also provides micro-loans to widows to start businesses.
Grace Chiumia
Grace Chiumia was a young widow herself when she met Rev. Fred Garry from the Watertown First Presbyterian Church during his 2004 visit to Malawi. Grace, a nurse and malaria coordinator, told Rev. Garry of the problems she experienced both in providing adequate medical care as well as the challenges she faced as a widow. She, like other widows, was a victim of property grabbing. Moved by her situation, Rev. Garry carried her story back to Watertown which took up a collection for her. When offered the money, Grace replied that this outpouring of generosity could help others as well, and the Women Of Grace Widows’ Fund was born.
Since that time, Grace has been a leader and an inspiration. As a friend and an advocate, Grace has visited the widows and has identified those with acute needs that must be met immediately and those who can be trained and assisted with micro-loans to build better lives. Her work with the widows and her deep desire to improve their lives led Grace to run for and win a seat in the Malawian Parliament. Since May 2009, Grace has represented the Nkhata Bay West district as one of 42 women serving in the 193 member parliament.
Sam Chirwa
Sam has worked along with Grace for years as the dual force behind the Widows’ Fund. This team strengthened their bonds when they were married in July 2011. Sam is the widows’ personal contact when they need a ride to the hospital, when a child is sick, or when food is needed. He is also the one they look to when the walls literally come tumbling down in their homes. Sam talks with the village chiefs to find the widows in greatest need so assistance can be provided. He works directly with the widows to build new lives and a brighter future. Equipped with a degree in business and a newly gifted computer and digital camera, Sam provides the eyes and ears of the Widows’ Fund. He assists with the administration of the micro-loans, ensuring that the start-up businesses initiated by each widow are economically viable. Sam operates the Baby Friendly School which provides nursery care and schooling for children, including orphans and children of the widows. He also offers jobs at the school for widows and shelter for those widows in dire need.
Congratulations to Sam and Grace!
WOGWF Newsletters
Helpful Links
- First Presbyterian Church Watertown
- First Presbyterian Church Canton
- About Malawi
- NCPR interview April 2008
- NCPR interview November 2008
- Fred Garry's 2008 mission trip blog
- 2010 Mission Trip Slidshow
- NCPR Blog by Ellen Rocco 1/12/12
- Grant Awarded for Literacy 5/17/12
- Keys to Education - T.I. Sun 8/16/12
- Keys to Education - WDT 8/19/12
How You Can Help
1. Host a meeting or potluck at your church, home or in your community to share information and raise funds for the Women Of Grace Widows’ Fund.
2. Ask your church to hold a yearly special offering for the Widows’ Fund.
3. Tell a friend about the widows in Malawi.
Learn more...
Changing Lives
Thank you to all that have given to the Women Of Grace Widows’ Fund during 2010. Thanks to the individuals, families, churches, service groups, women and youth groups, those supporting special events such as the Mother’s Day Tea in Watertown, and Prom Dress Sale...
Read more...