This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
From Despair to Hope: Esther Kabeni's Journey ¶
Esther Kabeni's life took a dramatic turn in 2016 when her husband, a corporal in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), passed away shortly after returning from a mission in Somalia. The 30-year-old mother of one was left to face the harsh realities of life alone, with her in-laws plotting to exclude her from her husband's pension benefits.
As she struggled to come to terms with her loss, Kabeni's in-laws accused her of killing their son and claimed that his property belonged to them. The mother of one was left to fend for herself, with her immediate family deserting her and leaving her to fight all the odds by herself.
However, it was during this darkest of times that a group of young widows intervened and helped Kabeni pull through. Their kindness and support restored hope in her life, and she began to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
With the help of the widows, Kabeni started receiving her husband's pension benefits, and she decided to show her gratitude by buying them groceries every month. This small act of kindness soon grew into a movement, with the number of beneficiaries increasing exponentially.
As the number of needy cases continued to rise, Kabeni decided to formalize the group and register it as a Self Help Group, which is now known as the Royal Widows and Orphans Foundation. The group has a membership of at least 700 women, drawn from Nairobi, Nakuru, Murang'a, Busia, and Migori counties.
Today, the Royal Widows and Orphans Foundation is a thriving organization, with Kabeni at its helm. The group has been able to midwife income-generating activities, including soap making, farming, and pig farming, which have helped to keep it afloat. Kabeni's leadership has been instrumental in the group's success, and she has been able to provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment to the women involved.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Kabeni remains optimistic and is committed to helping the needy and vulnerable women who suffer from oppression, rejection, and unlawful disinheritance. Her family has started to show interest in her again, and she has forgiven them for their past actions.
As she looks to the future, Kabeni is pleading with well-wishers to partner with her in the undertaking and help oppressed widows live a decent life. She can be contacted through 0736311527.
