VOWAN Helps Divorcees   

KANO: A non-governmental organisation, Voice of Widows, Divorcees and Orphans,VOWAN, on Wednesday, 25 August put smiles on the faces of over 500 widows and divorcees in Kano when it distributed over 500 pieces of wrapper to them as  gift for the forthcoming Sallah celebrations.

The event which took place at Mambayya House, Kano, was in commemoration of the organisation’s seventh anniversary. It drew dignitaries from the government and the business community. The brain behind the organisation, which has been championing the cause of the needy, mostly widows, divorcees and orphans, Hajiya Atine Abdullahi told Across Nigeria that VOWAN has touched the lives of over 10,000 women who were chased out from the matrimonial homes for flimsy reasons.

According to her, the organisation has mapped out a three-point agenda which it hopes to actualise before the end of 2011. “We are sourcing for money for the projects. Already, we have acquired a piece of land for VOWAN Orphanage; we also have a dream for VOWAN Science College and VOWAN Specialist Hospital. We need about N350 million to actualise these projects and we are putting our trust in God,” she explained.

She said that about N700,000 was used to purchase textile materials for the widows, adding that 53 orphans were also assisted financially by the organisation to enable them have a blissful Sallah celebration. VOWAN, she said, has arranged marriages for hundreds of divorcees. “We also have a counselling committee which from time to time holds seminars for these women whose life were frustrated by callous men who do not value the integrity of womanhood,” she added.

A divorcee, Hajiya Atine has dedicated her life to the interest of women and children. “I have no other job. All my life, I have been thinking and working towards bettering the lives of others. I am always touched when I see women and children suffering. I thank God for individuals who believe in our cause and have been supporting us morally and financially. We are entirely grateful to Almighty Allah for giving us the grace to go this far.”

She, however, regretted that the state government and corporate bodies have not done much to support VOWAN, “but I must add that a good number of government workers have been making individual donation.”

Speaking at the occasion, Director-General of the Directorate of Societal Re-Orientation, Malam Bala Mohammed, commended the VOWAN team for their initiative, just as he condemned the spate of divorce and urged women to be loyal to their husband and perform their matrimonial duties effectively.

– Reported by Maduabuchi Nmeribeh

Tags:  Divorcees and Orphans, Mambayya House, non-governmental organisation, Voice of Widows, VOWAN