By Folasade Akpan
The Thelema Lion Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has donated food stuff, toiletries and other items to the Gifted and Talented Orphanage Home in Abuja to support the welfare of the children.
The foundation made the donation as part of its annual outreach to less privileged children.
Mrs Ifeoma Agu, the Founder of Thelema Lion Foundation, said the organisation had been in existence since 2014 and was formally registered four years ago, with several humanitarian programmes carried out yearly.
Agu said that visiting orphanage homes every January had become a tradition for the foundation, noting that it deliberately targets homes located outside the city centre.
“We normally visit less privileged orphanage homes every January.
“We decided to come here because we wanted to see the children and put smiles on their faces,” she said.
She explained that the foundation was aware that the orphanage catered for more than 30 children, adding that the donation was aimed at easing the burden of feeding and caring for them amid prevailing economic hardship.
“The situation in the country is very difficult, but God has been helping us.
“What we are trying to achieve is to put smiles on these children’s faces and help to cushion the hardship.
“Even in homes with four or five children, feeding is not easy, not to talk of where you have more than 30 children.
“Whatever we can give to help them feed and smile means a lot,” she said.
Agu encouraged Nigerians and organisations to contribute to humanitarian causes, stressing that giving does not have to be large to make impact.
“If I can do it, you can do it. Whatever is in our hands is a gift and we need to sow it into people’s lives.
” A bag of rice or even half a bag of garri can go a long way.
“It is not about bringing plenty at once. Little by little, we can put smiles on the faces of the less privileged,” she said.
Mrs Gift Nwosu, Founder of the Gifted and Talented Orphanage, said the home had been in existence for 11 years and driven by her passion for children.
Nwosu said visits and donations from individuals and organisations were occasional, adding that the orphanage relies largely on faith and goodwill to cater for the children.
“I want to say a big thank you to the Thelema Lion Foundation.
“We really appreciate this gesture because it will go a long way,” she said.
She appealed to government and Nigerians to support orphanages by “spreading smiles” and assisting in any way they could.
Some of the children also expressed appreciation to the foundation for the donated items.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donated items include foodstuff and toiletries among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Mufutau Ojo
