My name is Hope Nwakwesi. Over 31 years ago I became widowed with 4 little kids under ages (9-4).

Barely 28 years, after going through the cultural practices and coming back to the city, I was evicted from my home and suspended from work. Under 3 months, I lost my husband, my house and my job. An experience that made me contemplate suicide.

Overcoming the suicidal thoughts and actions, I fought to survive. At survival 22 years after, in 2016 I offically went into mentoring widows and advocating cultural change and beliefs. Founding Almanah Hope Foundation, from radio talk show, gender-based violence education in schools, charity walk, widows protection Bill, Nigeria widows summit, widows baseline data, skill acquisition training and financial support I worked passionately with my resources to addressing the issues of widowhood in Nigeria; emphasizing the need for a strategic action for widows by government.

In 2020, our webinar The Widows Summit, bringing together a diverse participants across the continent; its outcome reinforced my belief that African Widows empowerment require government STRATEGY. The CHARITY presentation and treatment of her issues is creating a new form of abuse. African Widows are challenges apart from the cultural practices of harmful traditional practices, disinheritance, among others is facing socio-economic exclusion with little or no inclusion of widows in national and international economic policy frameworks, a new abuse of socio-economic exploitation is emerging.

Initiating a widows body and excuted the 1st African Widows Summit.

My profound appreciation goes sincerely to you all that support my mission TAWS2024.

In organising the 2nd edition of The African Widows Summit TAWS2025 in Namibia; where we will be launching the Pan-African Widows body, and Proposed African Widows Agenda among others as we call for a strategic plan and actions that will address the 5 dimensional challenges encountered by African women in widowhood across legal, finance, health, education and housing through governance and allocation. I come again in humility and gratitude.

Widows have been excluded and getting funding for our project has become almost impossible. For 10 years, I have funded over 80% of this mission falling always on my children when totally runout. I have invested ALL my resources; time, talent and treasure, and I can see the beginning of inclusion.

Please help me raise money for conference that will be bringing African and global stakeholders and widows representatives.

Help me see the new benchmark of addressing Widows begin with value and dignity.

Help set the 10 years investment of my life for sustainability.

A widow is someone's DAUGHTER, SISTER, AUNTIE, WIFE, MOTHER & FRIEND and African Widows should not be synonymous to poverty, charity and/or a begger. Widow can no longer be used for political propaganda, merchandise and philanthropic grandiosity.

"Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it"

African women in widowhood in our communities needs access to finance, healthcare, education, and housing with functional legal policies to which is a governance action.

Support me in leading the widows the real people, to redefine their status with dignity.

Donate, and share.

TAWS2025 NAMIBIA

WIDOWHOOD IN AFRICA: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE CULTURE