A LOT of physically challenged children are going through difficult time in the country. But a breather of relief came when the body named, Bestspring Children and Youth Development Foundation held a Christmas party and musical concert for orphans and orphanages.The event, tagged, Joy of the World, which took place at Yaba Baptist Church was the ninth edition in a consecutive series of such periodic activity by Bestspring. It had a lot of dignitaries in attendance including a former Senator representing Lagos East, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora; President of Bestspring Foundation, Mrs. Aramide Oikelomo, chairman, board of trustees, Mr. Bola Olayinka among many others. Organisers informed that their goal was to make the orphans and physically challenged children happy, raise general awareness for their issues and give them scholarship. The function was also intended to heal their hurts, restore hope in them and let them know that they can aspire to be anything they desire to be in life. There were several musical performances during the event which ended with presentation of educational awards to some of the children by the Bestspring Edu-care Scholarship scheme. Among the children who received the awards was Toma Unu, a physically challenge who recently finished her secondary school education but was unable to further pursue her academics.Other recipients were, Richard Bright, a nine-year old JSS One pupil from Citadel of Grace Orphanage Home, Igando, Lagos; Glory Phillip, a 12-year-old JSS One pupil; six- year-old Kehinde Shina (Basic one); and 11-year-old Abigail Kalu (JSS One). There were also Precious Pearl of Orphanage Home, Idimu, Lagos; 11-year-old Vivian Elvis, a Basic one pupil from Christ Light School For the Deaf, Idimu, Lagos and nine-year-old Marth Emmanuel (Basic three) from Arrows of God Orphanage, Obadore, Lagos.The 20-year-old cripple, Ms Unu who paints wonderful pictures with her legs will also have her paintings displayed in a touring exhibition that will be mounted in Nigeria and overseas. Speaking at the event, Sen. Mamora urged members of the public to always rally to the help of indigent children and youngsters with disability. Noting that 'children and youth are the future of this nation,' he challenged everybody to always support young ones be them the privileged or less privileged ones. He prayed more general support for orphanages, motherless babies and physically challenged children.To pres home his call, he sang a Yoruba song which had the lyrics: 'Enikeni ti iwo bani ipa lati se iranlowo fun o oun ni enikeji re toju ree' ( translation: whosoever that you can assist, be it your neighbour, take good care of him or her). He also donated an undisclosed amount to Bestspring Children and Youth Development Foundation to spur people to give voluntarily to the young ones in need of help.Making her remark on Unu and her outstanding creativity, Mrs. Oikelomo said she is very good in painting. On the public showing of her works which Bestspring is planning, the non-governmental organisation's promoter said they are going to put up her art for sell in Nigeria and abroad, on the hope that God will raise gracious donors who will give generously towards meeting the specific educational needs of her education as well as that of the recipients of the awards so that they and others after them can have a new lease of life.Bestspring Children and Youth Development Foundation is an NGO started, informally, three years ago, with just three orphans. By the time the body became formalised last September it has began to cater for a lot of children. The project's goal, as stated, includes healing hurts and restoring 'hope to the teeming population of the children and youths in the country through the provision of information that entrench and encourage good moral values and responsible citizenship in order to counter the upsurge of moral decadence, social menace, and apathy which seem to have pervaded the society.
Click here to read full news..
