"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."
— James 1:27
Hope for the Widows and Orphans Ministries (HWOM) was born over 25 years ago from a God-given calling to stand alongside those society too often overlooks — widows stripped of dignity, property, and voice; orphaned children growing up without a father's protection.
Founded by Mirabelle Karawa and her husband Samuel, the ministry operates from Bamenda in Cameroon's Northwest Region, running inter-denominational programmes, vocational training, counselling, and advocacy that stretch across the nation.
"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."
— Isaiah 1:17We work at the intersection of faith and action — reminding the Church of her God-given mandate while pushing for policy reform. Because when a widow is lifted, her children rise. When her children rise, a community is transformed.
"To create a compassionate, discrimination-free society where widows and their children are treated with dignity, can take their rightful place in society, and so live fulfilled lives."
"Empowering widows — and women by extension — for sustainable development and self-reliance. And teaching others to do the same."
Providing immediate and ongoing physical support to poor widows and their children, alongside prayer, counselling, and spiritual care through the Widows Empowerment Forum.
Reminding the Church to fulfil her God-mandated responsibility of care for widows and orphans as commanded in James 1:27 — modelling Christlike behaviour to the wider community.
Raising awareness across Bamenda and beyond about the proper treatment of widows. Challenging harmful traditions and equipping communities to respond with justice and compassion.
Advocating for reform at government, traditional, and Church levels to protect widows from inheritance dispossession, forced remarriage, and dehumanising mourning rites.
Equipping widows to serve as peacebuilders in their communities — turning personal suffering into a force for social stability, healing, and reconciliation.
Vocational skills training and small-trade support to help widows build sustainable income, achieve genuine self-reliance, and move confidently from grief to growth.
We serve widows of all ages and backgrounds across the Bamenda region and beyond. Many face not just grief, but dispossession of property, forced mourning rites, and social exclusion. We stand alongside them — with prayer, practical support, legal advocacy, and vocational training.
"Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry."
— Exodus 22:22–23
Behind every widow is a child watching. We serve the orphaned and vulnerable children of the families we reach — supporting their education, wellbeing, and spiritual development. Because breaking the cycle of poverty starts with the children who will lead tomorrow.
A holistic range of support — meeting widows and orphans where they are and walking with them toward a dignified, self-reliant future.
Inter-denominational prayer, fellowship, and counselling through the Widows Empowerment Forum — healing hearts and restoring faith.
Vocational skills and small-trade support to help widows build sustainable livelihoods and achieve genuine financial independence.
Focused support for the welfare and schooling of orphaned children — because the cycle of poverty ends with the generation we invest in today.
Protecting widows from harmful traditional practices — inheritance dispossession, forced remarriage, dehumanising mourning rites — through legal advocacy.
"When we lift a widow, we lift a family. When we lift a family, we transform a community."
Over 25 years ago, Mirabelle Karawa felt an unshakeable calling to stand in the gap for widows in Cameroon — women being dispossessed, silenced, and stripped of dignity in some of the most painful moments of their lives.
Together with her husband Samuel, she built HWOM from a local church outreach in Bamenda into a recognised, inter-denominational ministry with national reach. Her leadership is defined by prayer, persistent advocacy, and an unwavering conviction that no widow should walk alone.
"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing."
— Deuteronomy 10:18Every contribution — no matter the size — goes directly toward empowering widows, protecting orphans, and bringing holistic transformation to families in Cameroon.
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For bank transfer or international giving, email hopeforwidowsministries@gmail.com
Watch on YouTube — hear testimonies, see our outreach in action, and witness what it means to heal the broken hearted.
Whether you want to give, volunteer, partner, or simply learn more about our work in Cameroon — we'd love to hear from you.