WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Valerie Ewen has been operating her foundation, Loving Care Wailing Women’s Ministry, for over 24 years.

“I am a woman indeed and I know what it means to be a woman in need,” Ewen said, explaining her reason for launching the foundation.

Each year the foundation helps at least 150 women who come seeking assistance.

“I would like to help many more, but our resources are limited at the moment,” she stated.

Women in need benefit from the Bless a Sister drive, which provides clothing and grocery items to assist entire families. The Bless a Sister giveaways are done at various times throughout the year, once donations come in.

In addition, single parents who are struggling financially breathe a sigh of relief each year as school supplies are provided for their children for back to school.

“I benefit each year for my children,” Janet, a single mother of four said. “My children’s father died a few years ago and it has been a difficult road for me since then.”

The burdens of life can break us emotionally. Despite the financial assistance with grocery, clothing, and back to school supplies, some women need a little more help emotionally, as they struggle to be strong for their children. The foundation offers counselling sessions for these women, some of whom were on the verge of suicide.

“We just want to be a support system for anybody who needs it,” Ewen stated. “We are our sisters’ keeper.”

The foundation is based in the parish of Westmoreland, but has helped women all over the island.