What began with a dream in 2004 has today grown into a life-changing movement that has touched the lives of over 1,000 widows across Ebonyi State and beyond.
Lady Lilian Ifeoma Umenweze, popularly known as Ify Jasper, Co-founder of the Divine Favoured Jesus Bride Foundation, narrated in Abakaliki how a divine revelation led her and her husband, Sir Jasper Chris Umenweze, to dedicate the last two decades to uplifting widows through empowerment, welfare support, and fellowship.
Lady Umenweze recalled: “In 2004, I dreamt I was hosting a party with widows — Jesus’ wives. When I woke up, I shared it with my husband and he supported the vision. We started small in our local church, St. Peter’s Anglican, where we distributed wrappers to 13 widows. From that day, it became a yearly commitment.”
What began with a handful of beneficiaries has now expanded into a structured foundation, offering food, clothing, financial aid, and emotional support to thousands of women who have lost their husbands.
By 2019, the initiative had grown so large that over 300 widows gathered in the Umenwezes’ family compound for the annual December event. In December 2024, during its formal inauguration at the Women Development Centre (WDC), Abakaliki, the foundation hosted more than 1,000 widows in a colourful celebration marked by worship, empowerment talks, and donations.
Lady Umenweze explained that her vision goes beyond just giving food and wrappers.
“It is not just about giving widows fish but teaching them how to catch the fish. If I get more support, I want to set up training in skills like tailoring, soap-making, and small-scale trading, so that widows can be self-reliant. They need to stand with dignity, not just live on charity,” she said.
She further highlighted the growing burden on the foundation as widows come forward with pressing needs ranging from school fees for their children, to rent, and even shelter.
“There are cases of widows and their children living in uncompleted buildings, homeless and neglected. My dream is to build a centre that will serve as both a shelter and a place of fellowship, where they can seek God and also learn skills," she added.
Lady Umenweze called on government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as traditional rulers and faith-based leaders, to partner with the foundation in sensitizing and supporting widows.
“If this rising population of widows is not addressed with real empowerment and sensitization, it will continue to weigh heavily on society. Government and community leaders need to rise to this call,” she emphasized.
The co-founder was quick to appreciate her husband, Sir Jasper Chris Umenweze, for his unwavering support.
“Without him, I cannot do this. Each time I share the vision with him, he tells me: Mommy, no problem. As long as we are alive, we will do it together. He has been my backbone,” she said with gratitude.
She assured that the Divine Favoured Jesus Bride Foundation would continue to provide assistance, resources, and hope to countless widows across denominations in Ebonyi State.
She noted that through regular distribution of wrappers, food items, and other palliatives, the foundation has become a beacon of compassion, resilience, and faith-driven service in the state.
Looking ahead, Lady Umenweze envisioned expanding the foundation’s reach in the next five years with more sustainable empowerment initiatives, partnerships with international donors, and the establishment of skill centres to secure the future of widows and their children.
