More than 400 widows in East Asembo Ward, Rarieda Sub-County, received an early Christmas gift after the Walter Okelo Mentorship Programme donated food items to members of the Omiya Mwalo Widows Women Group.

The donation, which included sugar, wheat flour, cooking oil, tea leaves, and other essentials, brought festive cheers to the widows, many of whom said they felt recognized and valued by the community for the first time in decades.

Speaking during the event at Omiya Mwalo village, the programme patron Walter Okelo said the initiative was meant to ensure widows felt included in the festive season.

He said that they wanted to appreciate the widows and encouraged others to adopt a spirit of sharing and caring for their neighbors. 

The patron noted that the collection was made possible through contributions from friends, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and compassion during this festive season.

Members of the widows’ group led by Laurine Atieno expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the support saying that it was a show of love to the widows who often go without food during Christmas.

Another widow, Magarita Anyango Ongere, echoed the sentiment saying that widows usually go through a lot of pain and problems. 

Eunice Onditi Ajwang, from Kokiise Bwaja, added that the gift means a lot to them because some of them do not even have children whom they can depend on for support.

Okelo urged leaders and well-wishers across Siaya County and Kenya to extend similar acts of kindness, quoting the biblical teaching of loving one’s neighbors.