AIDS Widow and Orphan Bucket Project

In many church women’s fellowships in Nigeria, the number of widows and orphans is increasing because of HIV/AIDS. In Plateau State, there will be an estimated half a million orphans by 2010. For one local church, the challenge of how to help its 105 widows and 9 orphans prompted an innovative response.

The ‘widow bucket’ project begins with workshops at which women receive a bucket, and 3 booklets about HIV/AIDS. One gives in depth information about AIDS prevention, care and support. The other two help mothers to talk to their children about adolescence, God’s plan for marriage and HIV/AIDS.

The women are encouraged to place a handful of grain in the bucket each day when they are preparing the main meal for the family. Each month, the women’s fellowship meets. All the women bring what they have collected and empty their buckets. They then start filling them again for the next month. The Widows Committee distributes the grain to the widows and orphans of the church and community.