Hope for Survival Orphanage
Birthdays, for some Nigerians, are best celebrated with the less-privileged, Senator Iroegbu and Adedayo Akinwale discover
It is not an uncommon sight to see people throw lavish parties for their birthdays. For such occasions, big hotels, parks and restaurants are booked. But for a growing number of good-intentioned Nigerians, birthdays could be good opportunities to give back to the society. This is especially through impacting positively in the lives of the less-privileged in the society.
These refreshing small groups of people, who dared to be different, have put smile in the faces of many who have hitherto languished in silence. They are confounded by the fact that even the religious-minded members of the society have remained apathetic to helping the needy.
Miss Lucy Nnenna Ukwa, who celebrated her birthday at Hope for Survival Orphanage in Abuja on August 15, is one of these unique Nigerians who wouldn’t flaunt their wealth. The software engineer and a humanitarian opined that, the only way to feel happier is by making people around her to feel happy in “an occasion like this, especially when you associate with the less privileged and show them that you love and care for them.”
“To me, going to bar, restaurant, hotels and so on, enjoying swell times would not have made my day, if I hadn’t paid this visit to the orphanage,” she added.
The celebrant insisted that the best way to appreciate her Creator and celebrate birthday is by giving out generously to the needy, visiting the hospitals, prisons and places where one can impact on people’s life.
She was enthralled that her presence was felt and appreciated by the children and the management of the orphanage home, advising that people to adopt it as one of the best ways to be recognised in the society.
“I thought to make them happy on my birthday will make me more happy, it was a very good decision. It is going to be more often, my friends and I will be here again on 20th of next month because we will be having a photo shoot exhibition and the money realised from it will be brought back to them,” she said excitedly.
“When I was in school, I was asked to write about my leader. I wrote about Angelina Jolie because she’s a humanitarian, have always believe in making people happy, donating and reaching out to people once in a while.”
The items donated by the celebrant include cartons of noodles, a bag of salt and a gallon of red oil, among others.
The Hope for Survival Orphanage’s manager, Mr. Cephas Thaddeus, was overwhelmed for what he described as a rare show of kindness by the birthday celebrant, who “possibly had all the opportunities and resources in the world to choose a more glamorous avenue to enjoy such occasion.”
Thaddeus encouraged Ukwa to continue in her philanthropic ventures and prayed for sustainable divine guidance and providence in her life endeavours. “Well-meaning Nigerians can emulate this gesture when next they are celebrating their birthday, as the best way to live a meaningful life is touching people’s life. As you can see through this visit to the orphanage home, the building projects, which is still ongoing, is also being sponsored by some well-meaning individual and private organisations.”
About 50 children are resident at the orphanage, he disclosed. Among these, 42 are presently enrolled in schools, while eight of them are yet to do so. “This year, we have been able to give out two children out for adoption. I must however stress that the management is not ready to let go of any of the children for now as we have vowed to train them all through,” he said.
Princess Joanne Ohochukwu, who accompanied the celebrant, opined that, “the happiest thing that can ever happen to anyone is making people around you to feel happy.
“It is something I really admire and I think the happiest thing that can ever happen to anyone. I feel so happy being with kids. The decision she made was a very wonderful decision.”