Mothering the Nation, a Non-Governmental Organisation on Sunday provided 1,856 children, 238 carers from about 32 orphanage homes across the country, an opportunity to celebrate and feel loved in a unique way, on mother’s day in Accra.
The NGO has for about 14 years supported orphanages across the country, with help from corporate organization and individuals.
The children were clothed, fed and transported to engage in various activities, as well as enjoy a live performance from songstress Wendy Shay.
Activities on the day included a talent hunt, bouncy castle, video games, face painting, and a spelling bee in which the winner would take an all-expense paid trip to London, United Kingdom.
Speaking to starrfm.com.gh Founder of the NGO Lawyer Sarah Fafa Kpodo said that it is traumatic for a child who is in dire need of a mother, especially when the rest of the world is celebrating mother’s day.
“So I picked that up when was young and promised myself that I was gonna have a foundation that will lift and inspire and impact in children who in one way or the other don’t have the love of a mother,” she said.
She added: “I created this NGO and what we do is that we help most of the kids in the orphanages, but on mother’s day which is a day that they remember the most because they don’t have mothers to celebrate the mother’s day with, we bring them together and we have competitions among themselves.
They win prices and we award outstanding males and females in all the orphanages.”
“National spelling bee is here, and people are amazed that these kids are from orphanages and they are able to do spelling bee. Because the kids from orphanages like we say don’t go to the best of the schools. The experience they have here makes them go back and want to be better people,” she said.
She said that she tries her my best to visit all the orphanages to show love, and urged parents to give more love, pay more attention to their kids, instil discipline and teach them the word of God so they can grow with it.
Challenges
Touching on challenges the organization has faced over the past 14 years, Lawyer Kpodo said when it came to support, most entities had mixed feelings because of the perception that she may be needing help for personal gains, which she says was not the case.
She, however, noted that she supports the foundation herself from her small ventures, and has got some dedicated sponsors including First Atlantic Bank, Bel Aqua and Yabos Food Truck Company.
Mr Patrics Dadey, an Executive Director of the foundation noted that the motive of the occasion was to ensure that the children learned something from the activities, so that in the end they will become better people that would benefit the entire nation.
“We want to create awareness of their plight and create a better life for them. You don’t have to do it on this scale, just helping one child is a step in the right direction,” he urged.
CEO of Yabos Food Truck Company Sena Ababio said his outfit was all about giving back to society hence the decision to partner with the foundation.
He said “It’s all about giving back really, giving back to orphans and to people in need. It gives us a sense of purpose and fulfillment and that’s what our business is about. “
“What’s the essence of making money without giving back?” he quizzed.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Senanu Damilola Wemakor
