| A Widow's Worth |
| Widows are another group of people who are forgotten in the country of Kenya. Once a husband dies the woman is entitled to nothing. All property is given to the sons or a male relative. For most, there is no obligation to care for the wife, even by her children. Of course this is changing and many are beginning to care for the ones left behind. Yet there are still many left with nothing. Mercy's Hope has been blessed to help several women in Kenya who are widowed. In the summer of 2007 we met a group of 35 women from ages beginning at 27 and up who have been widowed. These women take care of each other and share everything they have. They have become a part of Mercy Hope by sharing their talents of making jewelry and purses. Mercy's Hope purchases these items at above "Fair Market Trade" and sell these items. The money earned from the sales go directly back into helping the widows and the orphans that we work with. |
| The home where the women work on jewelry and bags. They share a meal and fellowship time of singing and praying for each other. |
| Mary is a widow who was left to care for her grand-child. She sells salt on the streets of Githunguri to make ends meet. She lives on less then a dollar a day. Mary lives in the slums, has no running water or electricity. She has a sponsor through Mercy's Hope, her monthly income has now doubled. She is saving her money to buy a small plot of land. |
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| Mary takes in widows and teaches them how to make paper beads. She is a widow herself and cares for orphans. Mercy's Hope purchases beaded jewelry from her and sells the jewelry to raise money to support other widows. The jewelery can be found at The Village Bookstore in Warrenton, Mo. |