From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Jesus Abandoned Charity Organization, Oraifite has called on public spirited individuals, church organizations, governments and corporate bodies to rally round the Home to enable it meet up with its core mandate of taking care of the vulnerable group in the society.
Rev. Fr. Anthony Ananwa made the call yesterday while conducting visitors round the Home at Umuezopi village, Oraifite, Ekwusigo LGA, Anambra State.
The Catholic priest regretted that besides individual helps, no church organization, corporate body or government has extended help to the Charity Home since it was registered in Anambra State 2012, and also registered with the federal government in 2013.
He said that the Charity Home houses over 250 inmates having different life challenges ranging from physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental health disabilities.
Rev Fr Ananwa added that such impairments affect their mobility, physical capacity and cognitive functions, including reasoning, problem-solving, planning,
developmental disorder and psychological well-being.
The priest pointed out that the inmates, though disadvantaged, desire to live normal lives like living in good environments, eating good foods, acquiring quality education and learning crafts, adding that they depend on other members of the society to help them.
He said that in the Charity Home, inmates are either trained in formal education or made to learn crafts and skills noting that there are others who suffer impairments both physical and mental, and depend entirely on others for their wellbeing.
The priest said because of increasing number of individuals with special needs under its care, coupled with limited accomodation, the Home requires support to expand the facility.
He explained, “Population of persons with special needs in our facility is increasing. Oftentimes, families and individuals bring their special needs children and dump them at our entrance gate, forcing us to take them into our facility after getting necessary clearance from relevant authorities.
“In order to ensure that we meet up with our core mandate of providing safe haven for them, we earnestly need to expand our facility. To achieve this, we urgently require a sum of thirty-five million Naira (N35m) to get additional landed property, in addition to providing additional solar-powered borehole.
“Governments, individuals, corporate entities and church organizations desiring to support this Home can contact Fr. Anthony Ananwa at: 07060478404, or visit Jesus Abandoned Charity Home at Umuezopi village, Oraifite, Anambra State, or AA2, Orphanage Avenue, Behind Pantaker at Tipper Garage Junction, Kuje, Abuja, FCT.”