CHRISTMAS; A gift of infinite worth
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Aiding Lives Initiative for the Vulnerable (ALIVE) through a fun-filled Christmas Party, created evergreen memories with the Children In Ilaje Otumaro Community of Mainland Local Government Lagos State.
From inception four years ago, ALIVE organises yearly Christmas party for vulnerable children living in slums, impoverished, underserved and hard-to-reach communities. According to the Executive Director of ALIVE Pandora Obiefuna; “Many of these children have no idea what it is like to celebrate Christmas, some have not seen a Sancta Claus or know what it is, some of their mothers cannot afford to buy them Christmas clothes or cook a special meal on Christmas Day hence the essence of this party is to extend love to these vulnerable children through creating memorable experiences and giving out gift packs to celebrate the season”.
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The fun-filled event engaged the children in educational and recreational activities such as spelling and dance competitions, overall winners in each category going home with gifts from ALIVE as well as other children in attendance.
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“This is one of ALIVE’s Programs that cut across different aspects. What we are doing today falls under ALIVE’s “Feed-a-Child and Me-too” projects for children living in disadvantaged communities. Every child regardless of environment has a right to leisure and recreation thus this Christmas party is basically about inclusion. Recreational activities play a vital role in promoting the well-being and resilience of children which is in line with our mission of health promotion and disease prevention amongst vulnerable children and women in disadvantaged communities. Today, we are reaching out to about 500 children in the community,” she said.
She further stated that ALIVE’s programs has impacted vulnerable children and women in various disadvantaged communities in Lagos and Anambra State respectively. She said: “Through ALIVE’s Zero Malaria project, about 2000 mosquito nets have been distributed to pregnant women, nursing mothers and mothers of children under five years in slums, across Lagos and Anambra States. Our Educare support project has provided school uniforms, school shoes and text books to over 500 nursery/primary school students in disadvantaged communities in Lagos and Anambra State. The Health Literacy Behavioural Change Communication project is creating a health literate society through promoting healthy behaviours and dissemination of health information across the most disadvantaged communities.
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Wife of the Baale of Ilaje Community, Olori Kehinde Arowojolu, expressed her delight at the gesture, saying the community appreciated the determination and sincerity of the Executive Director. “Given the present economic situation of the country I feel so happy, we thought this would not hold due to the economic situation of the country. ALIVE has done so many programs in our community, 35 children from this community are beneficiaries of their Educare support project. These children were given school uniforms, school shoes and books to promote reading culture amongst them. So when she mentioned Christmas party, I wondered where she would get the money from. But she fulfilled her promise. The children, parents and the Baale of the community, Festus Oladipupo Arowojolu are so happy. For a young lady doing this, we give her kudos,”she stated.
Aiding Lives Initiative for the Vulnerable (ALIVE) is a Charity Organisation dedicated to promoting health and preventing diseases amongst vulnerable children and women living in slums, impoverished, underserved, and hard-to-reach communities to improve health outcomes. ALIVE team is very passionate about enhancing lives of vulnerable children and women, working with four of the Sustainable Development Goals.