‘Orphans need our love, care, nurturing’

Founder of Chadash Empowerment Foundation, Mrs Temitope Adeola, has called for action on the health and well-being of orphans across the world.

She made the call on Saturday in Abuja during an event organized by her foundation to commemorate the 2023 World Orphans Day celebration, with the theme, ‘Care for the Uncared’.

Daily Trust reports that World Orphan Day is a day people around the globe raise awareness of orphans’ plight and provide a sustainable platform for them to be self-reliant.

The event had in attendance several orphanages, which include Shining Star Orphanage Home; Dynasty Kids Orphanage Home; Gifted and Talented Orphanage and Facado Orphanage among others.

“The predicament of these vulnerable orphans, especially the young ones cannot be overemphasized. These are precious humans who are hurt, being exploited, and cruelly treated. They need our love, care, and nurturing.

“Together, we can build wealth and a solid future for these children beyond measure. All it takes is our time and conscious efforts to make life meaningful for these orphans. We can invest our time, resources, talent and energy to help these children rebuild their young lives.

“There are different ways we can support the orphans. These include adopting an orphanage home, partnering with NGOs, indirectly adopting a child by caring for needs through annual or monthly food donations, infrastructure support, and sharing your expertise for their benefit,” Adeola said.

She said the foundation had in the past equipped orphanage homes with laptops to facilitate their learning.

She continued: “We at Chadash Empowerment Foundation have set out to bridge the gap between stakeholders, propagate the need to support orphans, provide vocational training, encourage a sustainable standard of living, provide quality nutrition, improve welfare and living conditions of orphans.

“In the past the Foundation has constructed and commissioned 1 borehole, donated cash, household and food items, and equipped orphanage homes with computer laptops to facilitate their learning. We have also economically empowered over 1000 Widows, and provided vocational training, startup kits and grants to over 120 Widows.

“We all have the power to make a difference. We need to play our roles effectively especially in areas of policies, tax incentives for orphanage homes, special schemes for orphans, affordable medical care, and quality education. I know the government is not the only remedy, but effective steps need to be taken by relevant authorities.”

Wife of the Senate President, Ekaette Akpabio, represented by Stella Karimi, wife of Kogi West Senator, said orphans would be supported.

“One of the pillars of the first lady of this nation is social investment and scholarship to students. We will visit you all and do that for you,” she said.