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By Madu Obi
The Anambra State government has expressed worry over the rate at which children are abandoned after birth, saying it is putting so much pressure on the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.
Head of child development in the ministry, Mrs Ekene Aniesona, who spoke 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, also said that many of the children found themselves in the homes because their parents could no longer feed 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 mould 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."
There are about 35 motherless homes in Anambra State, including the one owned by the state government, six in the local government areas and 28 being run by nongovernmental organizations, NGOs.
Some of the children in the homes are eventually adopted, while others are reunited with their families after the court processes.
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