Dorcas Atime, a mother of four, lost her husband after an attack on their community in Taraba State in northeastern Nigeria.
In the aftermath, Dorcas faced an uncertain future. As an unemployed widow, she struggled to provide for her children’s basic needs. There were days when food was scarce, and the cost of sending her children to school felt out of reach.
Rebuilding After Loss
Through World Renew’s local partner in Nigeria, the Universal Reformed Christian Church (URCC), Dorcas was invited to participate in the African Widow and Orphans Support (AWOS) program. The program is designed to walk alongside widows and vulnerable families, offering practical tools and renewed hope for the future.
Dorcas joined training sessions where she learned basic business skills and new approaches to managing a small enterprise. With support from the program, she also received seed capital to help her get started.
Growing Stability Through Farming
Today, Dorcas runs her own yam farm. During harvest season, she sells yams along with other crops such as soybeans and peanuts, creating a more stable source of income for her family. This change has made a tangible difference—her children are back in school, and there is greater security at home.
Beyond meeting her family’s needs, Dorcas’s outlook has shifted. She now feels empowered to support others in her community who are facing similar hardships.
As part of the AWOS program, Dorcas also joined a savings group with other participants. Through this group, she has developed the habit of setting aside a portion of her weekly earnings—building resilience and planning for the future.
“I really appreciate this program for the grant I received, which allowed me to expand my farm, and also the economic empowerment training that gave me basic skills to do my farm work in a different way,” Dorcas shares.
A Future Filled with Hope
Dorcas’s journey is one of healing as much as it is one of livelihood. With practical support, community, and opportunity, she is rebuilding her life after loss—finding renewed strength and hope for the future.
Your support helps equip families like Dorcas’s with the tools, training, and encouragement they need to move beyond poverty and rebuild after trauma. Thank you for sharing in this work of hope and restoration.
As Dorcas and others continue along this path, we invite you to hold them in your prayers—that farmers would have the resources and conditions needed for strong harvests, that those travelling to support communities would be kept safe, and that partnerships would continue to grow stronger, bringing lasting compassion and hope to families across the region.
