Yuletide: Anambra First Lady visits 8 Orphanages, Pledges Surgery of Child with Cerebral Palsy

By Praise Chinecherem

Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo has promised to undertake the surgery of a child with cerebral palsy in one of the children homes in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Soludo made the promise while visiting three registered homes in the state, namely Onitsha North Community Children’s Home, In-land Town, Onitsha South Motherless Babies Home, Odoakpu and Missionaries of Charity/ Gift of Mercy Community Children and Compassionate Home/ Orphanage, Fegge-Onitsha.

Mrs Soludo had earlier visited five out of 39 registered homes in the state during which she promised to personally visit all community homes in the state before Christmas.

She said she had discussed with the management of the home where the child with palsy was staying, stressing urgent need to take up her treatment.

Speaking shortly after the visits, Soludo’s wife said the visit was to extend love and kindness to the children’s home as way of reassuring them that they are not alone in their plight.

She described Christmas as period of showing love, compassion and support to one another.

She said, “We have about 39 homes for abandoned and motherless children in the state. I have visited eight and I intend to visit and celebrate Christmas with the children in all the homes.

“For me, Christmas means reaching out to the needy, less privileged, motherless and abandoned children.They need our care and special expression of love to partake in the celebrations.

“All the homes I have visited so far, I’m very impressed with the clean environment and how the caregivers are taking good care of the children.

She added, “I saw a very sick baby who requires medical intervention in one of the homes. I will make sure that the baby gets all healthcare needs to stay alive be and healthy.

“I learnt they have been to the hospital and were given 50-50 chances. But we cannot afford to abandon her in such condition.

“I will reach out to the management to further our discussions so we see how we can help this child.”

Mrs Soludo urged well-meaning individuals, corporation organisations and groups to reach out to the needy and make the Christmas celebration special for them.

Responding, Manager, Onitsha North children’s home, Mrs Rita Anekwe expressed appreciation to the governor’s wife, saying that the gesture would go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of the children.

Mrs Soludo, during the visit distributed various items such as bags of rice and beans, tubers of yam, toiletories, beverages, as well as cash gifts to the homes.

She also seized the opportunity to pray, sing and dance with the community children, while the visibly excited children prayed for the governor’s wife, her husband, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and for peace in the state throughout the festive season.