An international non-governmental organization, Women at the Well of Living Waters, W@LW launched an agricultural project, Agri-Farm Fair 2024 tagged, “Women at the Well Festival of Corn and Cassava Implant” aimed at bringing women together to rediscover themselves and to give voice to the voiceless.
Speaking at the farm launch site at Owerrinta in Isialangwa South LGA, the Founder/CEO of the organization, Pastor Mrs. Jessica Edmund explained “I experienced long-term homelessness, abuse, addiction, and societal stigma due to delay in having children. I made up my mind that no woman would go through what I went through.
“Now, I am on a mission to help other people see endless possibilities through the lens of my stories, and ascertain what steps to take to actualise their dreams”.
She further disclosed, “At present, it is geared towards a positive future by providing education, skills and progressive services for the engagement, advancement, and establishment of women and men by default from all spheres of life.
dream, because there is no limit to what they can achieve and assure them through our stories that nothing should make them feel less of who they are; their past doesn’t determine their future, marriage or no marriage, Having children or not, or family background.
“We educate women on the importance of identity and self realisation because if you don’t know where you are coming from, you will not know where you are going. W@LW is not just an ordinary charity but a movement and cultural revolution.
“We are a volunteer-led and run organisation. Our volunteers are motivated by a variety of concerns shared by those in need and want to use their already acquired skills to help both in Africa and in Diaspora. One of the challenges we have been facing in Africa is a suitable centre where we can operate from to feed the hungry and help the hopeless. However, that hasn’t stopped us”.
“Feedback from people the organization has supported over the last years, she said “shows that we have and are making a big difference in helping to reduce people’s isolation, hunger, creating social tables and meeting their basic needs such as food , clothings and warm spaces, as well as building their all round skills.
“Above all, we are thrilled to share that we have successfully raised a permanent space where we aim to feed and clothe the homeless and support the poor. We are overwhelmed and truly grateful to people because, their generosity has made this possible”.
Also speaking at the site of the farm launch at Owerrinta, a Trustee of the organization and Lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, Rev. Fr. Innocent Ekeagwu said. “Jessica was motivated by the biblical Samaritan woman in John chapter 4 and using her experience, Jessica is now bringing women together to help them rediscover themselves and also to help give them the opportunity to succeed in life”.
According to him, the organization has branches all over the world, including in Germany and United Kingdom, in many countries in Africa and many states in Nigeria, stating that the farm project is part of the Abia State branch of the organization. He reiterated that the organization intends to also open a school, event and administrative centre and as well replicate feeding the poor in the state as Jessica does in Uk.
