Sallah: NGO donates relief materials to widows, orphans

Waterlight Save Initiatives, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has donated relief materials to widows and orphans to mark the Sallah celebration.

The items were donated at One Man Village in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Thursday.

Mr Ajaja Oluwamuyiwa, the Country Director, Waterlight Save Initiatives said the organisation donated the items to enable the less privileged feel the joy of the season.

He said the items, which included bags of rice, clothes, beverages, shoes and toiletories, were also donated as part of the NGO’s effort to help cushion the current hardship.

The country director said the organisation was established by Dr Ero Ibhafidon, to, “significantly alleviate poverty and improve the lives of Africans.”

He said the focus of the organisation was on livelihood and social life, quality education, empowerment and health.

“We are here today to reach out to the community, to the vulnerable and the marginalised set of people.

“That is, the widows, orphans and people with disabilities. To give them hope,”he said.

Oluwamuyiwa said the outreach was supported by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Social Development Disaster Management.

He also commended the Restored Destiny Child Orphanage Foundation for hosting the event as well as ensuring its success.

Mrs Fajokwu Ima, Humanitarian National Coordinator, Waterlight Save Initiatives, said they were there to identify with the less privileged, especially at a time like Sallah.

“God has said we should love one another and we cannot just do that with words alone but with gifts and words of encouragement.

“We are particular about today. We feel we should give out to the orphans and widows of this community, being Sallah holiday,”she said.

Ima called on the government, NGOs and well meaning people to contribute their quota to ameliorating poverty in the country.

“I want to say wherever you are at this time that things are very difficult please show love.

“Since we are having a renewed hope, we are optimistic that things will get better but for now, if God blesses you please try and reach out to others.,”she said.

Also, Mrs Grace Chinedu, Founder, Restored Destiny Child Orphanage Foundation said she was glad to have hosted the event.

She said; “it is a thing of joy for me today to host orphans and widows at the same time.

“I am happy Waterlight Save Initiatives came to my community to put smiles on their lips.”

Chinedu, who caters to about 26 children, also urged the government and good spirited people to continue to show commitment to alleviating poverty.

A beneficiary, Mrs Chika Ekwebelem, thanked Waterlight Save Initiatives for the celebration.

Ekwebelem, a visually impaired widow with four children, said life as a physically challenged widow was difficult.

The widow, who said she was surviving from the benevolence of kind hearted Nigerians, commended the initiative.

“I was a businesswoman but with the impairment, people now offer assistance for me to survive,”she said.

Also, Victor Bernard, a 16-year orphan and a beneficiary, thanked the NGO for the support.

He said,” I am happy am not left alone in spite of the fact that I have passed through a lot.

“I want to specifically thank the founder of Restored Destiny Child Orphanage Foundation for taking care of me.

“I pray that God will reward them and I pray my time will come so that I will lend helping hand to those that do not have.”