Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization.

Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization is dedicated to Advancing Gender Equality and Ensuring Widows in all 47 counties in Kenya an have Equitable Access to Resources, Opportunities and that they don’t loose their Dignity and they fully enjoy their Human Rights.

CTWOO Champions for the protection of Human Rights and Uphold the Dignity of Widows, in alighnment with international standards including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of The Child.

CTWOO believes that widows and their children are integral members of the family, despite the community and society often attempting to marginalize them after the loss of a husband and father to their children. Therefore, CTWOO places a strong focus on equipping widows, their children, and members of the community with knowledge about Family Law to ensure they are not subjected to discrimination rooted in harmful cultural practices.

ABOUT US

Empowering Widows and Orphans for a Brighter Future

CTWOO is a registered Non-Profit Organization in Kenya, officially recognized by the NGO Co-ordination Board under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act since January 2019. Our journey began as a Community- Based Organization on 10th October 2013, and over time, we evolved into an NGO, empowering us to extend our services to Widows and Orphans across the entire country.

Widowhood Data

Our Strategy

Highlights

FREE MEDICAL CAMP

CTWOO has introduced Free Medical Camps on widows as a way of enhancing Good Health and Well-Being. This initiative was launchedduring the 9th International Widows Day inVihiga County, in partnership with Aga KhanHospital and Avenue Hospital. The Free MedicalCamp also supported widows in Nairobi and isplanned to be replicated across the entirecountry.

TREE PLANTING

To address Climate Change, CTWOO has embraced a tree planting project that is currently being carried out by the Osiligi Le Nkoliae widow group in Kajiado County. To enhance sustainability and environmental conservation, CTWOO is ensuring that widows in their respective registered groups are also participating in tree planting projects.

Widows’ Food Assistance

CTWOO has been providing food packages to widows in Arid and Semi-arid areas in response to hunger and drought. The target beneficiaries are elderly and lactating widows from the region. Although this initiative is conducted annually, CTWOO has taken on the additional responsibility of providing food to widows with HIV/AIDS and Cancer from the slums of Nairobi who are unable to feed themselves.

PARALEGAL TRAINING

CTWOO has embraced paralegal training for widows, training them as Trainers of Trainers to address the alarming issue of widow’s rights violations. We have graduated our widows in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri and Meru as advocates of their own rights through our paralegal training program. Through this they are able to speak up whenever their rights are violated.

DIGNITY KITS

CTWOO makes the efforts to address the specific needs of orphaned boys and girls, reduce absenteeism from school due to lack of hygiene products, and promote their overall wellbeing and self-esteem. CTWOO does this by providing essential hygiene and personal care items including sanitary pads, toiletries and undergarments. This helps to maintain their health dignity and confidence during menstruation and daily life.

CANDID DISCUSSIONS ON WIDOWS EMPOWERMENT

CTWOO actively engages in deliberations with various stakeholders who assist in the formulation of policies for widowed persons. CTWOO is currently developing a manual on economic empowerment for widows in collaboration with the President’s Advisor on Women’s Rights, Hon. Harriet Chiggai.

Our Main Annual Events

Valentine Dinner

CTWOO’s valentines dinner events serve as a platform for networking, sharing success stories, and discussing future collaborations to further our goal of achieving SDG 4.During the dinner, CTWOO highlights our ongoing efforts.

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Every year, Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization (CTWOO) actively participates in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

International Widows Day

Since 2016, Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization has hosted annual International Widows Day celebrations in Kenya, dedicated to supporting widows and their families.

16 Days of Activism

Over the past five years, our 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaigns have made significant strides in addressing and combating violence against women and girls. Each year, from November 25 to December 10.