NGO DISTRIBUTES EMPOWERMENT MATERIALS/ITEMS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

"Sister Ladidi, described as “God-sent”, has used the Hope for the Village Child Foundation to help provide medical outreach, educational support and several other social amenities to people living in far way communities".

"God has used the Hope for the Village Child Foundation to assist us with their medical treatment all these years. Now, they have given Mercy a wheelchair to ease her movement. And in addition, we are today being presented with this grinding machine as a way of empowerment which would further assist us in catering for Mercy and Blessing”.... Mr. Okoh.

With the World Disability Day fast approaching, a Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, the Hope for the Village Child Foundation based in Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna state has been commended for its exceptional show of love and support to persons living with disabilities.

The commendation followed the presentation of empowerment items and materials such as, wheelchair, walking crutches, support aides (items for persons with wickets), grinding machines, hair dryers and some financial stipends to some people with various degrees of disability.

The Okoh's and Mrs. Elizabeth Pose With their gifts.

Some of the beneficiaries at the presentation ceremony included children with physical and mental disability and adults with mobility challenges.

The event which took place at the premises of Hope for the Village Child Foundation situated along the Kaduna-Kafanchan highway, saw an elated Mercy Okoh from Enugu state receiving a wheelchair from the Director of the Centre, Reverend Sister Rita Schwarzenberger, fondly addressed as “Sister Ladidi” by residents of the various communities.

Sister Ladidi, described as “God-sent”, has used the Hope for the Village Child Foundation centre to help provide medical outreach, educational support and several other social amenities to people living in far way communities.

Presenting the wheelchair to Mercy Okoh, the Director of the centre enjoined the parents to see the wheelchair, a donatation to the centre through the Lilian Foundation via the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, to the Hope for the Village Child Foundation, as a way of supporting the family and making the movement of Mercy, easy on her parents.

Receiving the wheelchair on behalf of his daughter, Mr. John Okoh expressed his gratitude to the Hope for the Village Child Foundation and its director for the immense love and support shown to his children, both of whom have disability challenges.

In an emotion-laden voice, Mr. Okoh said; “if not for this foundation (HVCF) that has shown me so much love, I do not know how myself and my wife would have coped with taking care of these two beautiful girls God blessed us with. Despite their challenges, we love them and God has used the Hope for the Village Child Foundation to assist us with their medical treatment all these years. Now, they have given Mercy a wheelchair to ease her movement. And in addition, we are today being presented with this grinding machine as a way of empowerment which would further assist us in catering for Mercy and Blessing”.

He promised to properly, utilize the resources realized from the use of the grinding machine and the start-off cash of five thousand naira, to cater for the children and ensure that, every kobo realized from the business, is judiciously spent and accounted for.

Asked about the educational future of Mercy, Mr. Okoh revealed that his daughter has shown her love for school but, unfortunately, many of the schools approached have turned them down owing to her mental and physical disabilities.

This position was corroborated by Mr. Michael ‘Baba Yara’ Ogundele, a staff of the Hope for the Village Child Foundation, who has direct interface with all the families and is regarded by them as ‘father of children’ following his uncommon passion and relationship with the physically challenged children.

According to ‘Baba Yara’, the pain he feels when some of the schools in the locality turn down his request while soliciting for admission for these physically challenged kids is unimagined.

“Mercy is a bright child and strong sense of recognition but her condition has made many schools turn us down whenever we approach them for admission. Apart from government, it will do society and these children a lot of good, if consideration is given to children with special needs. Yes, it is quite understandable when schools give the various excuses they tell us but, individuals can set up schools for specially gifted children”, Babayara stated. 

Another beneficiary, Jemima Joji, who received a set of hair dryer expressed her gratitude to the Hope for the Village Child Foundation for its immense support and encouragement.

Beneficiaries Pose With 'Sis. Ladidi'

She described the management and staff of the centre as a bunch of blessed people with hearts of gold especially the Director who treats everyone with equal love.

Jemima while reacting to the gift, promised to use the proceeds realized from the use of the hair dryer judiciously and train others who would want to learn how to make hair.     

An excited Mercy being assisted by Sis. Rita Schwarzenberger