Foundation seeks support for special needs home
By Oluwafunke Ishola
The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation Nigeria (OIFN) has appealed to the Lagos State Government and well-meaning Nigerians to rehabilitate the Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare Treatment Home School, Akoka.
The founder of OIFN, Ms Tarela Aghanti, said this during the foundation’s outreach to support the Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare Treatment Home School, on Thursday, in Lagos.
Aghanti, also the National Coordinator of West Africa for People with Disabilities, appealed that the boarding facility should be made more suitable for the children and the clinic provided with more equipment.
“A friend of mine in the United Kingdom told me about the school and appealed to me to visit there during my outreach in Nigeria.
“I never knew how deep or the kind of assistance they wanted till I visited and saw the situation of things.
“I spoke with the principal of the school and the details she shared with me brought tears to my eyes.
“From that day, I knew I had to attend to the call and give the children hope, care and support,” she said.
According to her, some of the children in the home have cerebral palsy, dementia, autism, Down’s Syndrome and different disabilities.
She said the OIFN would distribute wheelchairs, cane-walkers, clutches, walking sticks, food and clothes to the home.
“We have eight therapists who will conduct an assessment on the children, and give them the right equipment they need based on the assessment.
“We believe this kind gesture will put lots of smiles on their faces and improve their mobility, and inclusion, as well as support the home,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs Agnes Shobajo, OIFN Ambassador, said that the condition of the residents of the home was pathetic and requires urgent attention.
Shobajo, former Vice-President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), stressed the need for concerted efforts in building a disability-inclusive society.
Also, Mrs Aderonke Oyelakin, State Coordinator, Child Protection Network, commended OIFN for the kind gesture, noting that persons with disabilities need love and support.
Responding, Mr Isiaka Ajani, Vice Principal, Modupe Cole Memorial Home, acknowledged that the hostels are congested.
Ajani said there are four hostels in the home namely bed-ridden hostel (students in this hostel are fed while lying on their bed due to the nature of their body); dormitory hostel, senior boys hostel and senior girls hostel.
According to him, there are 474 children in the home; few are day students while 318 were abandoned kids.
“There are 125 staff in the home because of the tedious job that the staff are doing as the majority of the children are on diapers 24/7.
“It is compulsory for the caregivers to be vigilant because some of the ladies during their menstrual cycle can remove their sanitary pad and eat.
“The oldest man in the home will be 72 years old this year. He’s deaf, dumb and blind. We also have a lady who will be 52-years-old, she has no teeth from birth,” he said.
Ajani appreciated the support of the Lagos State Government, while calling for more support from well-meaning Nigerians, saying the government alone cannot do it.
He appealed to the government to employ more teachers to aid effective learning and also called for the employment of more caregivers to assist at the hostels.
Ajani commended OIFN kind gestures and donations to the home, saying it was thoughtgful and would enhance the mobility of the children.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the home was established as a non-governmental organisation in 1960 by the late Mrs Modupe Cole, and later taken over by the Lagos State Government in 1979. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
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