The SMILE2025 Widows and Orphans Outreach Programme has launched a new empowerment initiative aimed at equipping widows and young single mothers with practical job-creation skills and startup support to foster financial independence.
Under the programme, 1,000 women and girls will receive vocational training, with a particular focus on liquid soap production, alongside a N50,000 business seed grant to help them start or expand small-scale enterprises. Organisers said the initiative is designed to provide beneficiaries with skills that are affordable, in demand, and capable of generating steady income within their communities.
In addition to liquid soap making, participants will also be trained in other income-generating activities, including snack production, zobo drink processing, fruit trading, and point-of-sale business operations. The programme further includes mentorship, financial literacy education, and savings advocacy to help beneficiaries manage and grow their businesses sustainably.
The organisers noted that empowering widows and young single mothers has a direct impact on children’s welfare, education, and overall household stability. They said the SMILE2025 initiative seeks to strengthen families while contributing to broader community development.
As part of the outreach, beneficiaries will also receive free medical services, including blood pressure checks, glucose and diabetes tests, eye examinations, and the distribution of free drugs. Medical professionals and volunteers are expected to support the health component of the programme.
The organisers appealed to individuals, organisations, and corporate bodies to support the initiative by donating N50,000 to sponsor a woman, sponsoring groups of beneficiaries, or providing training equipment, medical consumables, or professional services such as healthcare, mentorship, and business guidance.
They added that the SMILE2025 Widows and Orphans Outreach Programme has been running for over 10 years, with past editions making a significant difference in the lives of participants. Continued support, they said, will help expand the programme’s reach and deepen its impact not only on the women involved but also on their families and the wider communities they support.
