Posted by By Muyiwa Oyinlola on
Theirs is a story of victory over death. A true testimony, which actually confirms there is no hopeless situation as long as one is still alive. Only a few years ago, their fate hung between death and life.
Theirs is a story of victory over death. A true testimony, which actually confirms there is no hopeless situation as long as one is still alive. Only a few years ago, their fate hung between death and life. But today, that fear is gone. And like their counterparts born in better circumstances, they look at the future with great hope and aspiration.
Indeed, there is nothing in their appearance and attitude to indicate they are orphans, or unwanted children picked from gutters, latrines, waste dumps and other such obscure places. There's no tell-tale sign either emotionally or physically to show they are children who once faced bleak future and in some cases, who had no future whatsoever, because their mothers abandoned them.
In fact, Mrs. George wouldn't agree with you when you refer to them as ‘abandoned children'. She says that they are part of God's plan for the lives of people like herself and confirms she's acting on this divine injunction by raising such lost children like her own biological children.
It is, however, unbelievable that such beautiful youngsters, such impressive bundles of talents and special gifts, which came on display that Saturday evening through singing and choreography, to entertain guests at a function were actually left to the vagaries of the weather by their own mothers only a few years ago.The event tagged Joynight Easter Edition" was the 12th edition of such celebration in the annals of the orphanage.
The event was jointly organized by the orphanage and La Maison De Jesus, the French speaking arm of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. It was aimed at giving thanks to God, and also at sensitizing people to the plights of orphans, widows and the needy in the society.
Speaking at the Premium Hall of Strong Tower House, Palmgrove, Lagos, venue of the event, George disclosed that the baby care unit of the orphanage receives an average of five babies a month, ranging from new born to eight months old.
"Since inception, the orphanage has rehabilitated over 500 children, usually found malnourished, dehydrated and traumatized. Some of them are found, suffering from serious ailments, such as tuberculosis, hernia and other infections caused by the adverse environments in which they were abandoned," she disclosed.
In an emotion laden voice, she lamented, "it is unbelievable that a mother would carry a baby for nine months and after going through the near-death experience of childbirth, she would decide to throw the baby in a pit or dump the baby in a dustbin."
In his own contribution, Pastor Daniel Kalombo, in charge of La Maison De Jesus, called on the invited guests and Nigerians at large to always see the call to give to the needy as an opportunity to bless, which also translates to receiving from God.
Highlights of the programme included the rendition of musical percussion by the Compassion Band, the French Church Choir known as La Lumiere, as well as choreography display and drama presentation by the children of the home, among others.