Ivy Preko is the founder of the Inspiring Widows Foundation, a nonprofit organization with branches in both Ghana and the United States. Dedicated to reaching out to widows near and far, the foundation provides vital counseling and financial support to those in need.
Ivy shared with Just4WomenAfrica that she started the Inspiring Widows Foundation in 2013 after participating in a beauty pageant, where one of the requirements was to give back to society. Coincidentally, during that time, her grandmother passed away, which deeply inspired her to start the foundation dedicated to supporting widows.
One of the significant challenges Ivy has faced while running the foundation is working with people who may not fully grasp her vision. She explained that some individuals do not understand the mission and often act independently, which can be challenging. As the visionary behind the foundation, Ivy is committed to ensuring that everyone involved is aligned with the organization’s goals to help it grow.
Ivy’s ultimate aim is to empower widows to become self-sufficient so that they don’t have to rely on the foundation for an extended period. She also hopes to change the societal mentality towards widows, emphasizing that just because they lack a male figure in their lives does not mean they should be neglected or ignored.
To date, the Inspiring Widows Foundation is self-funded, but Ivy welcomes donations to further support their mission. Those interested in contributing can do so through the foundation’s website.
