Dame Ifeoma Odume is the founder of the Marble for Charity Foundation, a non-governmental organization that focuses on supporting childless elderly women. The Ibusa, Oshimili South native was inspired after witnessing the struggles of these women, who are often neglected and abandoned by their families and society.
The Marble for Charity Foundation has been operating for over 30 years and has supported numerous childless elderly women providing financial support, healthcare, and social interaction for these women, who are often lonely and marginalized.
In this interview with Rita Oyiboka, she stresses the importance of being compassionate to the aged especially those who have no one to care for them.
Please can we know you ma?
I’m Dame Ifeoma Odume nee Ashikodi. I spent my career in the Federal Ministry of Education, specifically in the Inspectorate division, until I retired. After retiring, I founded Marble Hill Schools. With the help of supportive friends over thirty years ago, I also started the Marble for Charity Foundation. This non-governmental organization focuses on assisting childless elderly women.
Why Marble For Charity? What is the significance of the charity’s name?
The idea for the name came to me when I saw people who have so much that they can pave their houses with marble yet they cannot spare their marble for charity.
What inspired you specifically towards aged childless widows?
While living in Bauchi State with my late husband, Mr. Emmanuel Odume where we had our first two children, I witnessed the struggles of infertility through my friend Stella, who longed for a child. Her pain deeply affected me. Even upon relocating to Delta State in 1992, I encountered an elderly woman, a friend of my grandmother’s, who touched my heart with her gratitude for even the smallest gifts. Learning that she was childless and neglected, I realized the lack of support systems for such women in our society.
In the past, extended family members provided care for the elderly, but times have changed, leaving many without adequate assistance. These women, once active contributors to society as farmers and traders, now struggle to survive on meagre incomes. Witnessing their plight, I felt compelled to take action.
Upon arriving in Delta, I initiated discussions with friends about how we could help these vulnerable women. With my uncle’s assistance, we identified and began supporting 20-30 childless elderly women. As time passed and more women were added to our program, we continued to advocate for their well-being. Currently, our oldest beneficiary is 102 years old.
How does the charity operate? Are these women gathered in a home where they are fended for?
No. They live in their homes but during festivities, they are gathered in a space provided by the charity where we meet and give them gifts just like their children would have done for them. They are like our mothers. We also have coordinators who visit them monthly to offer them stipends, clean up their homes and see to their well-being and you need to see how grateful they are. They pray for you and bless you. They are like orphans, aged ones. Some cannot even access healthcare and that’s the end for many of them. I am advocating that; try to adopt one aged woman and meet her needs if you can.
Do you have success stories and memorable moments to share?
Yes. There was this particular woman in our charity who had a well-to-do nephew but was neglected. It is unfortunate but sometimes if other family members do not inform you of a relative’s condition and persuade you to care for them, it may be difficult to remember them. When this nephew got to know that his elderly aunt was living childless in a mud house where she receives care from our charity, he felt so bad and proceeded to build a two-bedroom apartment for her. He later even took her to live with his mother. Our efforts created awareness and rescued her from familial neglect. We have others who live at the back of family houses in rundown buildings but when their family see how they are being cared for by the charity, they go on to open up the main house to them.
Do you collaborate with other organisations to enhance your mission?
Certainly. We have received support from the Rotary Club and other benevolent individuals. My husband, Late Mr Emmanuel Oheme during his lifetime was a significant pillar of the foundation. Recently, Dr Emmanuel Uwaka registered all the childless old widows under the foundation for free medical care in the General Hospital under the Delta State Health Insurance Scheme. Meanwhile, people often mark their birthdays by showing love to these women.
Do you know of similar endeavours specific to childless old widows?
No.
Why is that?
People do not really think the welfare of childless old widows is a concern likely because they are adults. Some have aunties who are aged and childless and have never thought to render their support. These women have never had the joy of carrying their own child. In polygamous homes, they are laughed at. There was a time when a particular first lady of the state tried to adopt such an initiative toward these women but it did not succeed because people tasked with collating the names of these women resorted to submitting the names of their friends, family even young, married women not necessarily those in need.
Childless Old widows often face loneliness, does your mission involve facilitating social interactions for them?
Of course. We visit them regularly and they truly appreciate our presence. Many of them never had people knock on their door. Others are scared of them. Initially, when we started visiting them, we found them lonely, living in dingy apartments and looking unkempt. Some cannot even afford soap to wash their clothes much less food. Others face stigmatization and are branded as witches therefore they need people to remind them that they are also human and deserving of love and attention.
Does your charity also attend to the end-of-life needs of these women?
We need to have a home to do that and the thing is they prefer their environment no matter how small it is. What they really need is financial assistance, love and medical care so that their quality of life is optimal.
What are the long-term goals for your foundation?
Expanding especially to a national level would be beneficial for more but it is a capital-intensive project. For now, we are focused on doing the best we can for these women we are privileged to reach.
What is your advice for those intending to engage in similar endeavours?
There comes a time when we all should wonder about our life’s purpose. When we’ve been fortunate, it’s important to give back to those in need. You don’t need to be as wealthy as Dangote to make a difference. Many of us can spare N10,000, N5000 even N1000 to support causes like aiding orphans, widows, and elderly women without children. These women played a significant role in our economy’s growth in their youth and now deserve our help. Policies, especially for free medical care, should be implemented for them, as some can’t even afford basic medicine. There’s much to be done, and it all starts with just one person.
