An Outreach for Widows and Single Parents, Nairobi, Kenya

Picture
"WOMEN OF PURPOSE Conference," held yearly in Kenya, is organized and hosted by Parcia Masinde. This year it took place on the 7th and 8th of October, in Deliverance Church "Umoja International." Bukachi Norah, a workshop leader, shared how it was a great privilege to minister to these single moms. We addressed many areas including the challenges of parenting alone, rejection of society, and the financial struggle. We help them know their true identity in the Lord. 
CONFERENCE THEME: Identity and Belonging
Mavline Mbugua, our guest speaker, spoke about the challenges of single parenting. From time and financial management to the importance of building community. She emphasized taking one day at a time giving yourself grace, forgiveness, and self-care. To trust your identity and completeness in Christ, binding and rejecting the enemies lies. 

PANELIST QUESTIONS
1. When a woman gets married, she takes on her husband’s name and a new identity. How can one who has lost her husband finds her new identity?
2. How do you handle or overcome the negative expectations of society on widows and single mothers?
3. For our sisters who are parenting children alone, what ways can they bridge the father-gap felt by the children? 
4. What tips do you have for single mothers co-parenting with their children's fathers? For example, I'm setting up boundaries and strengthening communication. 
5. Society has the preconception that children raised by single mothers will inevitably be problematic. Single mothers are often accused of being too involved or not involved enough in their children’s lives. How can a single mom effectively discipline and nurture her children to be well-adjusted adults?

PRAYER: 
• Mrs. Kimani and Mrs. Parcia Masinde spoke a blessing and words of affirmation over children being raised by single mothers and widows.

Bukachi Norah Worship for Single Mom's

Picture
Beldinah Norah Bukachi
Lives: Nairobi and attends  Deliverance Church "Umoja" under
Bishop JB Masinde
• We currently have 3 services on Sunday mornings with a teenager service at 2pm.  
• Due to COVID-19, the church was  divided into 3 campuses. I lead a special group of single mother's called "Eunice".  
• Feel free to contact me:
-Email: [email protected].
-Phone: +254 735 327 480 airtel line.
+254 729 253 65 1safaricom line.; Whatsapp number is the Airtel line. 
Single mothers face so many challenges in life, and unfortunately, they suffer primarily in silence. They need a voice to speak on their behalf. The church should be the best voice for these moms. However, we still have a long way to go. I am thankful to my church, Bishop JB Masinde, who accepted and initiated the single mother group. Please join me in prayer and support for this much-needed area of ministry in Kenya. 

CHALLENGES FACING SINGLE MOM’S in KENYA and the WORLD
  • Being a single mother is not always a choice. It could be through the death of a spouse, separation, divorce, rape (especially in wartime, incest, forced marriages, running from an abusive husband, displacement campus escaping political instability.)
  • They have to face the stigma, shame, guilt, and blame of being a single mother. People assume when they don’t have the truth. These mothers also face identity issues, hopelessness, and loneliness.
  • They have to work to take care of their family. They come home exhausted, stressed; leaving little time to spend with their children.
  • Access to resources due to low income such as Babysitters, legal documents (often records are destroyed or lost), safe place to live, healthy food, utilities, and healthcare.
  • Disconnection from society due to funds, stigma, and embarrassment.
  • Feeling they are a burden to family and friends. Because their needs are high and rarely change, they need help all the time. They are concerned this is too much for others, so as a result, they isolate themselves.
  • Society avoids them, especially other women who think they might be after their husband/boyfriend.
  • Biological family rejection; encouraged to go back to their abusive spouse.
  • Pressure to remarry; fighting unwanted proposals, so they have provision for their children.
  • Difficulties in meeting men, building safe friendships that could lead to marriage, dealing with trust issues, and introducing their children to them.
  • Boundaries with ex/father of children, custody issues, and visitation set up. Often father’s communicated through the children, often demoralizing the mothers.
  • Vulnerability due to all the issues listed above. It is being vulnerable to scammers and evil people.
  • Raising children without the proper support. Not having the correct answers on things related to their father’s return, support, involvement.
  • Work environment last support to single mothers, so as a result, this information is not shared due to fear of harassment, ridicule, or loss of job.
  • When the children are grown and want to marry, and there is a dowry from the new spouse, fathers will show up to claim this dowry although they have not been around to raise the child getting married.