Women Like Us Center COVID-19 Food Relief Fund

Any amount helps.  And for each $100 donation you'll receive a gift of 2 masks handmade by the women at our center.

The COVID-19 crisis has significantly disrupted our lives across the globe. Although the virus does not discriminate, the impact has been devastating to the most vulnerable, especially those in our low-income communities. In many instances, it has eliminated their source of income leaving many with no food to feed their children and families.

When the coronavirus crisis hit, the Women Like Us Foundation was forced to close their Women Like Us  Center in Nakuru, Kenya. The closure had disastrous consequences for the women. They could no longer rely on the Center as their sanctuary (many come from broken homes and are victims of domestic violence) or the income they generate to support themselves and their families. The sewing machines they use at the Center to make merchandise for sale sat idle.  In addition, those women who worked on a poultry project, which helps them earn monthly wages through the sale of eggs, chicks, and even chickens came to a halt. Ending the poultry project also meant the women couldn’t take home eggs to feed their families. 

Essentially, their primary sources of income and food were wiped out! Instead of complaining about their situation, the women utilized their creativity and ingenuity to find a solution that would not only benefit themselves and their families but also help others. They came up with the idea of making beautiful masks in African fabric to supply to anyone that needed them. They worked around the social distancing guidelines by reopening the Center and working in groups of 10 to sew masks. To date, they have made and distributed 380 masks to New York and California and generated earnings to put food on the table for their families.


Unfortunately, the proceeds from the masks are not enough to sustain the livelihood of 100 women and they need more support.

On this Giving Tuesday, we kindly appeal to you to help us supplement the income they’re making from sewing masks by donating whatever you can afford to our Women Like Us COVID-19 Food Relief Fund. No amount is too little. Let’s come together as a global community to show these women we appreciate their efforts and that no matter our situation we’re all in this together. Let’s lift them up just like they have uplifted others. No one should go hungry during this time.

Here is what the women from the Center are saying: 

“During COVID-19, things have been difficult. That’s why we came together to make face masks in our community. They have enabled us to earn some wages unlike staying home yet the baby needs food.”
- Elizabeth Adhiambo, mother of one. -

“My journey at the Women Like Us Center has been amazing and a great learning experience. Through our sewing skills, we are now making masks for sale and also to keep ourselves safe. Through sales, we are able to feed our families. During COVID-19, we had to close the Center and that has affected us so much. The Center has been of great help to me as a woman. I am grateful to the Women Like Us Foundation. We are appealing for well-wishers to continue supporting us especially during this time since our activities that help us earn wages are locked down.” 
- Agnes Sagimo, mother of 4 and grandmother to 2

None of us know how long it will take us to be safe and over this pandemic. Our lives may never be the same again. But one thing I do know, the caring of our fellow man and compassion and kindness for others will always be there. 

Thank you for your support. 

Linda Rendleman, Founder, Women Like Us Foundation and Women Like Us Center in Nakuru

PS: #GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

For every $100 donation, you will get 2 free beautiful African print face masks made by our women from the Women Like Us Center!