The Beginning – Our Story
God gave Marli Spieker a deep and lifelong passion for helping women — especially those who are abandoned or widowed. That passion was ignited while she was living abroad, where she saw the painful realities of poverty and illiteracy. The suffering of so many women opened her eyes and stirred her heart to act.
Marli’s journey of outreach began with the founding of Project Hannah, a ministry of Trans World Radio. Through radio programs and global prayer movements, Project Hannah brought hope and healing in Jesus to women around the world.
Marli’s calling grew even stronger as she reflected on the lives of her own mother and mother-in-law, both widows who walked faithfully with God. In many parts of the world, however, Marli saw widows who were invisible—abandoned and suffering. She began to pray:
“Lord, what do you want me to do with this passion for widows?”
After retiring as Project Hannah’s global director, Marli saw God open new doors. A native of Brazil, she had long dreamed of serving women in her home country. After prayer, research, and guidance from ministry leaders, God led her to Paraíba—one of Brazil’s poorest states.
There, in partnership with Instituto Betel Brasileiro, Marli launched a pilot project called the Never Alone Initiative, reaching widows in Baía da Traição—specifically among the indigenous Potiguara people—and widows in the state capital, João Pessoa.
The Never Alone Initiative has since expanded beyond Paraíba. Today, it also reaches widows in the interior of Bahia State through three additional hubs: Mirangaba, Novo Paraíso e Morro do Chapéu.
“The Never Alone Initiative has since expanded beyond Paraíba. Today, it also reaches widows in the interior of Bahia State through three additional hubs—Mirangaba, Novo Paraíso, and Morro do Chapéu—as well as one hub in Custódia, Pernambuco State.”
