The alarming rate at which children are abandoned across parts of Anambra State has been described as a worrisome development, that is putting a lot of pressure on the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, the state government has said.
Across Anambra State, there are about 35 motherless homes, including the ones owned by the state government, six in the local government areas, and 28 being run by nongovernmental organizations, and NGOs.
An analysis of the inmates at these homes shows that a greater percentage are those abandoned by their mothers after birth, those left at the homes as a result of family crises, as well as those whose parents are late.
Some of the children in the homes are eventually adopted, while others are reunited with their families after the court processes.
Speaking during the donation of various items to the Model Motherless Babies Home, Awka by the First Umuokpu International Association based in Houston, Texas in the United States of America, the Head of Child Development in the Women and Social Welfare Ministry, Mrs. Ekene Aniesona, also said many of the children found themselves in the homes because their parents could no longer cater for them.
She stated that it was for that reason that the ministry appreciated the gesture by the association in coming to donate to the home.
According to her, “It is very difficult raising these children from different backgrounds together because they exhibit their individual traits and it takes a lot to be able to mold their characters.
“What these women in diaspora have done is wonderful. I was marveled when I saw the quantity of items they brought for the children.
“On behalf of the Commissioner, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, I thank them for remembering the less privileged children in the society”.
President of the association, Lady Onyii Ikebuaku, said the donation was in fulfillment of a promise they made during their induction in the USA.
According to Ikebuaku, a lot of people supported the organization, adding that their members who returned to Nigeria during the Christmas season decided to support the women and children in the various communities and the motherless homes.
She said: “During the last Christmas period, we distributed materials in 17 communities in Anambra State. Every member of the association was given some money to either give out cash to women and children in their areas or purchase essential commodities they need.
“The association is made up of women of Anambra State origin. We are all daughters of the land.
“This exercise has been in existence for long and we are doing it to fulfill our promise of giving back to the society.
“What we have seen in this motherless home in Awka touches our hearts and we will definitely come back to do more for the children.”
She solicited the support of good-spirited individuals to continue to provide succor for the children at the community homes, to enable them to grow into useful citizens in the future.
