HIFASS – LOPIN-3 PROVIDE WHEELCHAIRS TO OVCs IN AKPUBUYO, CALABAR SOUTH

By Kingsley Agim

In its objective of providing quality care and support services to Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) across the State, Local Government Areas and communities, the Health Initiative for Safety and Stability in Africa (HIFASS), Local Orphans and Vulnerable Children Partners in Nigeria, Region 3(LOPIN – 3) recently donated wheelchairs to two of its most Vulnerable Children in Idundu, Akpabuyo and Ward 8 in Calabar South respectively.

Presenting the wheelchair to the recipient (known as Victoria), at Idundu, the Chief of Party, HIFASS – LOPIN 3, Dr. Ademola Adetunji, expressed hope that the aid of the wheelchair will ensure reduction of vulnerability to the family, adding that the project envisages a situation whereby the child will be able to sustain herself going forward, and further calamities prevented.

Dr. Adetunji stated that the project, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is to ensure sustainable livelihood, HIV prevention and linkage of infected persons to treatment.

In her remarks, the Advisor, Capacity and Organizational Development, Mrs. Sharon Simpa, said in ensuring that Victoria gets fit and pursues her education, the HIFASS – LOPIN 3 Team deemed it necessary to take her off the ground, so she could be ferried freely to school and other places through the wheelchair.

Mrs. Simpa remarked that with the new lease of life, Victoria can now have a sense of belonging and continue with her development. She further hinted that the project would also extend other OVC services to the child.

Also speaking, the Advisor, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Mr. Okoh Agholor also noted that HIFASS – LOPIN 3 has empowered over 250 households with grants to start up small businesses to enable them fend for their vulnerable households and sent about 130 of young women for skills acquisition in Cross River and Ebonyi States, adding that the programmes is poised to ensuring that vulnerable households get out of poverty and children return to school.

In her response, an elated Madam Asari Edim Nsa, grandmother to the recipient, expressed gratitude to HIFASS –LOPIN 3 Team for the gesture and prayed for God's blessings upon them, stating that her dream to see her granddaughter off the ground has finally been fulfilled.

Similarly, an OVC household at Ward 8 in Calabar South witnessed same goodwill by HIFASS – LOPIN 3 Team, with grandmother to Mary, the OVC wheelchair recipient, overjoyed by the gesture, adding that such benevolence would bring succor to her household that had hitherto been plagued by her grandchild's situation.