Support Benedicta's Mission for Ghanaian Widows

Help Support Over 400 Widows and Their Children in Ghana

My name is Benedicta G. Delima. I am originally from Ghana, but I came to the U.S. as a widow with my son 7 years ago. Having suffered through much violence and disenfranchisement as a widow in Ghana, I think about my fellow widow sisters in Ghana daily as I sustain myself in the United States. I am in need of funds and donations to run my non-profit to support the widows.

Widows in Ghana are living through severe hardship. We are accused of being responsible for the death of our deceased spouses, called "witches" and beaten up by our spouses' surviving family members, constantly being chased from our marital homes, while still expected to single-handedly raise our children. When a widow in Ghana reaches out for familial, social, and legal support, she receives little attention and care from society. Having been in touch with more than 400 widows and kids in my community and in different regions across Ghana, I am continuously informed of the sufferings they have to live through daily. Many of my widowing sisters live below the poverty line and struggle to afford basic necessities like food, housing, healthcare while they continue to be subjected to communal violence.

I have set up a 501c non-profit program "Benedicta and Sonnie's Tears and Pains" (also known as "Widow and Son" in Ghana) to help empower the widows in Ghana, and we are in need of your help. As we have recently organized hospital trips and paid for medical appointments for sick widows in the Volta region, supported widows to pay for their rent, and organized groceries and food distributions for elderly widows, we are in need of funds to realize the following three goals of our non-profit organization and programs:

1. To raise money to directly support the material conditions of 400 widows across different regions in Ghana, such that they can afford basic necessities like food, shelter, clothings and healthcare.

2. We collaborate with local communities to run continuous community-based programs, events, and gatherings, so that widows in the area can get to know each other and foster among themselves a community of mutual support.

3. We partner with local institutions to offer regular community skill-sharing and professional skill training to empower the widows with skills and means to financially sustain themselves and start a new life. Some of the expressed interests include liquid soap-making, catering services, and sewing skills.

All funds, no matter how small, will go a long way in bringing hope, relief and empowerment to the widows and their families. We appreciate any donations and sharings. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can offer. You will be able to follow our program updates on tearsandpains.org.