The Fire Officers’ Wives Association (FOWA) has distributed relief items to children at the Alheri Special Community, a settlement for people living with leprosy in Yangoji Village, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as part of activities marking this year’s Children’s Day celebration in Nigeria.
FOWA President Mrs Olufunke Olumode said the visit was organised to commemorate International Children’s Day, marked annually on 27 May. She stated that the association would extend similar gestures to other deserving communities in the future.
Items distributed included school bags, notebooks, writing materials, food items, drinks, sanitary pads and other toiletries.
Olumode explained that the decision to visit the leprosy community was part of FOWA’s efforts to give back to society through donations and educational support aimed at encouraging the children in their studies.
“We are here to show them love and to let them know they are loved and that the future is bright.
“There is a need to remind them not to look down on themselves and to encourage them on the possibility of succeeding in life. “That is why we are here today, to put smiles on their faces with the little we have,” she said.
She advised the children to take their education seriously, stressing the importance of education in building successful careers. She also encouraged them to acquire vocational skills that would help shape their future.
Olumode acknowledged that access to such training opportunities might be limited, but urged them to learn from members of their community already engaged in various vocational activities.
The FOWA President also prayed for God’s support and provision for the parents to enable them to cater adequately for the children.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Programmes and Operations at Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Mr Pius Sunday, appreciated FOWA for celebrating the special day with children in the community.
He said the organisation, which supports persons affected by leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases, was pleased to partner in the outreach.
“The Alheri leprosy community was established by the Federal Government during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the then FCT Minister, Nasir El-Rufai, to accommodate people affected by leprosy and neglected across the FCT,” he said.
“We sincerely appreciate the love, goodwill, gifts and time spent with the children here today.
“We thank everyone who contributed in one way or another to make this outreach possible.”
One of the beneficiaries, 15-year-old Aisha Bello, described the visit as a pleasant surprise and appreciated FOWA for the show of love.
She said the distribution of sanitary pads was the most exciting part of the outreach because many young girls in the community could not afford them.
Aisha, however, expressed hope that one day she would leave the community and attend a standard school.
