The Jamil and Nyanga Jaward Foundation recently conducted specialized training for its staff to enhance advocacy for widows and better assist them in accessing their rightful NASSIT benefits. The training, led by Mr. Emmanuel Umaru Conteh from NASSIT Sierra Leone, aimed to equip the foundation’s team with the knowledge and skills necessary to guide widows through the process of claiming benefits owed to them and their children from their late husbands’ contributions.
NASSIT, a government-run social security scheme in Sierra Leone, provides financial support to individuals who have contributed to the system, particularly during times of old age, invalidity, or the death of a family member. Widows and children of deceased contributors are entitled to survivor benefits, but many widows face difficulties in navigating the claiming process, often due to challenges in gathering necessary documents, which leaves them unable to access the financial aid that could significantly ease their burdens.
During the training, Mr. Conteh explained the benefit structures for spouses and children and highlighted the documentation required to claim these benefits. He also provided professional advice to the foundation’s team on the step-by-step procedures for filing claims and ensuring that widows secure the benefits they are entitled to. This knowledge equips the staff to provide more targeted advice during their fieldwork, ensuring that widows in less privileged communities are better supported in accessing their benefits.
Rugiatu Tarawalie, the Foundation’s Programs Coordinator, expressed her appreciation for the training, noting that it would significantly boost the foundation’s efforts. “This training is crucial,” she said. “It enhances our ability to advocate for widows, ensuring that they have access to the financial support they deserve, which will, in turn, improve their living conditions.”
Hawa Bintu Dauda, one of the Foundation’s Community Development Officers, echoed these sentiments, stating that understanding the NASSIT process is key to their advocacy work. “Many widows in the communities we work with are unaware of their rights to these benefits. With this knowledge, we can change that,” she said.
Solomon Temgbeh, another Community Development Officer present, thanked Mr. Conteh for his time and expertise, emphasizing the lasting impact this training will have. “This knowledge will not only improve our advocacy but will result in a higher success rate for widows accessing their NASSIT benefits,” he said.
By incorporating this new knowledge into their fieldwork, the Jamil and Nyanga Jaward Foundation will help more widows claim their benefits and raise awareness about their entitlements, empowering them to support their families without turning to desperate measures.
