Singing, dancing, hugging – and in the middle of it all, women clutching their vouchers tightly. For the widows of the St. Monica Village cooperative in Nyabondo, the distribution of the prizes from the Dentists for Africa Christmas raffle is a very special moment every year. This year marked the tenth anniversary of the raffle, which set a new record: €24,306 was raised – more than ever before! 836 widows benefited from this.
“The members of the cooperative actually look forward to this day all year long,” says project manager Katharina Weiland-Zejewski. Each widow associates her own personal wish with the raffle. “For one, it’s a goat, which can be the foundation for breeding and thus financial independence; for another, it’s a blanket for the cool nights.”
The request for blankets came directly from the poorest members of the cooperative. Many of them sleep in simple corrugated iron huts, where rain and cold are part of everyday life. When the first blankets were handed out, there was great rejoicing. One winner summed up her gratitude in simple words: “God saw me sleeping without blankets for decades!”
Donations in kind that change lives
The Christmas raffle deliberately focuses on donations in kind: goats, chickens, seeds, fertilizer, food. These donations not only help in the moment, but also create opportunities for the future. Seeds and fertilizer are enough for a complete corn harvest, which can be used to pay school fees. Goats provide milk, offspring, or serve as collateral for microloans.
This year, vouchers for the counseling service were also given out for the first time. This means that psychosocial counseling for widows and young mothers remains free of charge. “Donations in kind are essential, but it is just as important to create space for conversation and emotional support,” emphasizes Katharina Weiland-Zejewski.
Heartfelt thanks
The Kenyan side also found clear words: “It’s great, imagine, no one in Kenya can give us anything, the gifts were huge, we appreciate everything, we thank everyone who wishes us well!” wrote Rhoda Ogada, manager of the widows’ cooperative, after the distribution.
This record is one thing above all else: a sign of trust. Dentists for Africa would like to express its heartfelt thanks to all donors whose commitment has given hope, dignity, and new prospects.
If you would like to support the women of St. Monica Village beyond Christmas, you can do so with a year-round, earmarked donation to the widows’ cooperative—and thus change lives in the long term: Here!