Unless the current economic situation in Nigeria improves positively, orphans, abandoned babies and other children at various homes and orphanages may be in for serious lack and other predicament, findings by The Point have revealed.
Already, founders and operators of various homes and orphanages have been struggling to meet the needs of the children under their care as prices of food items and other essential commodities needed by these special children have continued to skyrocket.
Findings showed that many orphanage centres rely on support by international non-governmental organizations and philanthropic gestures of well-meaning Nigerians to sustain themselves.
Sadly, some owners and managers of orphanages have lamented that charity opportunities are shrinking due to economic hardship in the country.
They said unlike before, many Nigerians no longer show kindness and generosity towards orphans and motherless children at orphanages, ascribing the development to economic woes plaguing citizens.
It was gathered that if urgent help does not come for these babies, they may be confronted with hunger and needs as their caregivers struggle for their basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education.
The operators of these humanitarian centres also bemoaned that families and relations of children in orphanages are not forthcoming, thus placing a huge burden on the operators of the homes.
The management of the orphanages also called on Nigerians to assist them to cater for the orphans and abandoned babies.
For instance, there are 21 orphanages and homes in Osun State taking care of motherless and abandoned babies. These orphanages and homes are devoted to the care of orphans and children whom for various reasons cannot be cared for by their biological families.
The parents may either be deceased, absent or abusive. Therefore, these orphanages accommodate these children and cater for their needs.
Individuals and non-governmental organizations running orphanages in Osun State under the auspices of Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria said the current economic hardship is affecting them adversely and sought government’s intervention.
The Coordinator of the association in the state, Sariyu Oyenike-Laoye, disclosed that the family members of the babies at orphanages abandon them, thinking that the centres have financial donors to keep providing for them.
Oyenike-Laoye said, “The problem is that their (children at orphanage and homes) parents, after bringing these babies to us, have this belief that there is money coming from somewhere, and they drop their children with us and catering for these children has become very problematic for us because there is no money coming from anywhere.”
Another orphanage owner, Mrs. Benedicta Agunbiade called on kind spirited Nigerians to come to the aid of the children.
“The major problem we are facing is financial challenges. People don’t usually come to assist us with money, food items and other essentials as they used to. The whole financial demand is getting too much on us,” she lamented.
Emphasizing on the need to save orphanages and homes for special children from folding up, the Sister in charge of Motherless and Abandoned Babies Home at Jaleyemi Catholic Hospital, Osogbo, Elizabeth Akinlotan, urged governments to assist the homes.
According to her, “The education of these children is very important and they should not be denied it. It is not too bad if the government assists us.”
Reacting, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare in Osun State, Abimbola Babatunde said the ministry is monitoring homes and assured them of support.
She said, “We have a desk officer in the ministry that monitors the activities of orphanage homes in Osun State and they give a monthly report of their progress. They also ensure they register and renew their registration every year.
“Whenever we get this monthly report, we will go through and see how many children they have and what the challenges they are facing are. The ones that are legal and have renewed their registration will be called upon whenever there is anything to benefit from the government.”
