Free Sewing Machines and Goats: Widows on the Road to Self-Reliance

In honor of International Widows Day, Believers Eastern Church Diocese of Raipur held an income-generating gift distribution program on 23rd June 2018 where goats and sewing machines were gifted to over 20 destitute widows.

The chief guests of the program, Mrs. Meena Verma and Mrs. Shoba Sharma (BJP Ward Councillors) and the guest of honor, Bishop Anup Jan Jana spoke on the occasion and distributed the gift items (11 sewing machines and 10 goats) to the widows.

Bunu Dhruw used to earn a living by selling mattress made from old saris. Having no means to buy a sewing machine she would sew sarees with her hand, which cost more of her time and energy. She survived with whatever she earned from this petty job. She said, “I am so much thankful to Believers Eastern Church that they have given me this sewing machine and now I can stitch clothes with ease”.

When Prema Satnami’s (22 years old) husband passed away all of a sudden, she felt her whole world came crumbling down and she lost all her hope to live. As a young widow, she didn’t know who to turn for help and how to take care of her two children. In that desperate time of sorrow and confusion, Believers Eastern Church provided her an opportunity to learn sewing. Before long, she learned how to stitch clothes, but she could not buy a sewing machine, owing to poverty. Her joy knew no bounds when the church gave her new sewing machine. She could not stop thanking the church for the precious gift.