About 30 widows in Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos, received food items from IDA Beauty on Thursday, as part of activities marking International Women’s Day. This year’s campaign theme is “Give To Gain,’ to encourage the mindset of generosity and collaboration. The food empowerment programme, in partnership with Tabitha-Kay Widow Care Foundation, aimed to support vulnerable families in the community and bring relief to those in need. This is because the floating slum faces severe humanitarian challenges following forced eviction by the Lagos state government. These actions have disproportionately affected women and children, resulting in loss of shelter. Makoko widows The women, numbering up to 30, received food items including rice, groundnut oil, spaghetti, salt and tomato paste. The beneficiaries, mostly traders, expressed gratitude to the organisers for reaching out to them. “I’m happy. May God bless her. I have even prayed for her,” said Mariya Wenu, a food seller. Similarly, Angelina Ajibade, a fish seller, urged the organisers to “always remember to reach out” to them. “They love us, and that is why they reach out to us,” she said. However, Margaret Andrew, while thanking the organisers, noted that she would appreciate capital to kickstart a new business. The fish trader noted that she would like to venture into the soft drinks trade. Also, Sarah Johnson applauded the organisers for the food support. “We are happy. We are grateful,” Johnson Sarah,” she said. In her remark, Idowu Adepeju, founder of Ida Beauty, said that the IWD is to celebrate and acknowledge women’s incredible strength, especially the young widows present. “We see the silent strength it takes to wake up each day and keep going,” Ms Adepeju said. “We see the weight you carry. We see the courage it takes to rebuild when life changes unexpectedly.” She commended the women for standing tall despite the storm that had reshaped their world, proving strength beyond measure. Ms Adepeju reminded the widows that their “story did not end when tragedy happened.” Similarly, Dorcas Adelaja, the cofounder of Tabitha-Kay Widow Care, described the initiative as thoughtful and great.