Messages of hope as 2020 NUJ Press Week committee visits destitute homes
The need for members of the society, especially the privileged ones, to bring succour to the needy has come alive again as 2020 NUJ Press Week Committee visited destitute and orphanage homes as part of activities to mark the week.
Messages across the orphanage homes from the three Senatorial districts of the state visited radiate hope and love.
For Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, the Committee visited Band of Hope Orphanage Home, Ikot Ikpe, behind Urua Udoinyang, Okon Eket, where it donated foodstuffs, beverages and toiletries to the inmates.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Comrade Patrick Titus of the Correspondence Chapel told the inmates that the Committee was at the Home to identify with them particuarly during this pandemic.
Comrade Titus enjoined them to be humble, steadfast and face the future with hope and confidence.
While describing the children as leaders of tommorow, Comrade Titus assured them that God has a better future for them.
He expressed optimism that the inmates will grow up to bevobe responsible and prominent members of the society and commeded the management of the Home for grooming the children and giving them a sense of belonging.
The Proprietor of Band of Hope Orphanage Home, Pastor Godwin Thomas was full of praises to NUJ for using the Press Week Committee to help in alleviating the suffering of the needy, describing the visit as timely and major save.
Pastor Thomas noted that the vision to establish the orphanage, which came in 2015, was borne out of passion to bring succour to the needy and bring them to Christ.
He identify the services of the Home to include provision of shelter, food, free and quality education, shoes and clothes, acquisition of skill as well as provision of health care and other essential services “to improve their well being, thereby projecting them for a better future.”
While enumerating the needs of the Home to include lack of funds, utility bus, foodstuffs, beverages, toiletries, computer sets and printer, Pastor Thomas hinted that children in the Home now number 100 with 18 in secondary school and sued for support from government from all levels, public-spirited individuals and organisations to help meet the needs of the Home.
“In the last five years, we have been able to provide for the less-privileged and the vulnerable children under our care and others in our society with the necessary needs just to ensure their better livelihood.
“These basic needs are through personal funds, friends,and well-wishers who have concerns for less fortune and their well-being,” the Proprietor stated.
