Worship for Change, a foundation committed to raising awareness and support for charities that cater to orphans and children with special needs recently presented a lump sum of N33million to
Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Joy in Africa Foundation, To Omo re Centre for Special Empowerment and The Seedo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, being the funds it realised from its Green Worship Concert last year. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that for the beneficiaries, it was a lease of hope to thrive and a pat on the back to do more
Emotions ran riot last week Tuesday at The Gateway in Surulere, venue of the Worship for Change presentation of N33million cheques to four foundations that cater to orphans and children with special needs.
Life Changing Generosity through Green Worship Concert
At the donation last Tuesday, the Worship for Change Foundation Chief Responsibility Officer,
Wale Adenuga, emphasised the organisation’s unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable children.
The funds were raised through the Green Worship Benefit concert, a star-studded event held last October featuring renowned Nigerian gospel artists including Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi, Moses Bliss, Cobhams Asuquo, Waje, AnEndlessOcean, Greatman Takit, E Daniels, Gbenga Adenuga, David Nkennor, Kng James, Grace Levites, and the host, Wale Adenuga. The concert also featured Bob Fitts, an international guest artist, and was anchored by Ayo Mairo-Ese and SACO.
At the moment, Worship for Change through the Green Workshop Concert has so far been able to raise over N120m for 38 charities caring for thousands of orphans and children with special needs in Nigeria.
Passion for Children with Special Needs
On what drives him to do this for children with special needs, Minister Adenuga, who is also a seasoned Gospel artiste, said: “Since 2004, I’ve been driven to use my platform to help indigent children, especially children with special needs. As we know, the special children’s needs are barely cared for and catered for in our present-day society. These children are special, and God cares deeply for them.”
Reiterating thatmore needs to be done to help children with special needs in the country, Adenuga added, “It got to a stage in my life that I asked myself can I leverage the fame I had to benefit the less privileged children in the society? Some kids have not felt government intervention and so all musical artists are performing for free to raise funds for some charities in the country”.
Stating that starting the foundation was a response to God’s concern for them, he said
“Worship for Change is a not-for-profit organisation committed to raising awareness and support for charities that care for orphans and children with special needs. Although we dreamed of raising 100 million, we are not there yet, but we believe that we will get there.”
Adenuga, who urged people to support those with special needs, said the government cannot do it alone.
“I think we have enough people in society that can make a difference; that is you and I. I used to tell people not to fly business class instead of first class; that difference can make a huge impact. It’s just about a little inconvenience to yourself and being a better person to society,” he added.
Adenuga while using the opportunity to appreciate
all the artists who performed at the event without charge, the individuals and corporate donors from Nigeria and all over the world for their contribution towards the success of the initiative, also
acknowledged his fellow trustees and expressed gratitude to everyone who donated to the cause, just as he thanked the team, including Mr. Ramon Nasir, for their commitment to seeing that life is better for special children across Nigeria.
Emphasising transparency and accountability, Mr Adenuga assured the stakeholders of continued monitoring to ensure the funds are utilised effectively. “We will follow up closely to verify that the money is used as intended, addressing the specific needs outlined by each school,” he stated.
Succor for Special Needs Homes
For the beneficiary homes, the N8.25m (eight million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira) each of them got was like manna from heaven. From gasps of sheer disbelief at the amount to sobs and tears. Overwhelmed at the huge amount each got, there was no dry eyes among them including the male beneficiary.
Prior to receiving the cheques, they all had pressing needs in the homes-expansion, lack of mobility, roofing, cost of drugs to take care of the special kids as well as educating them. So, the cheques represented a new lease of life.
Each of the four beneficiary schools – Joy in Africa Foundation (Asaba); Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation (Lagos); Seedo Initiative for Children with Special Needs (Abuja); and To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment (Ilorin) displayed with raw emotions in the middle of their thanks.
Mrs Kawan Aondofa-Anjira, the founder of the Seedo Initiative, tearfully recounted the heartbreaking experiences of raising her first two children with cerebral palsy, highlighting the societal stigma and discrimination they faced.
“They were considered ‘spirits’, ‘undeserving of life’,” she lamented, recalling the cruel suggestions she received from supposed Christians. “Fueled by this experience, my husband and I established a haven for mothers in similar situations, offering therapy and support for their children.”, she said.
Tobiloba Ajayi, founder of Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation and herself living with the condition, echoed Mrs. Aondofa-Anjira’s sentiment.
“My parents were told to abandon me as they already had ‘normal’ children,” she shared. “Growing up, I realised society deemed children like me unworthy, even denying them education despite our parents’ efforts.”
Rev. Samuel Abiodun Ajayi, founder of ‘To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment,’ expressed gratitude for the financial support and prayed for the Wale Adenuga Foundation, adding that
“This donation is a godsend. We were facing numerous challenges, and this will make a significant difference.”
Also, Mrs. Joy Okonjor of Joy in Africa Foundation, another beneficiary, while she wept with joy, noted that she was also a beneficiary in the 2020 edition and shared plans to acquire their property for a bigger space.
The heartfelt testimonies resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring these schools’ critical role in nurturing and empowering children with special needs, a cause Worship for Change is bent on championing.
