By Chigozie Uzosike
In a bid to give dignity to human life, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka has gifted about 40 wheelchairs, clutches and other food items to Persons Living with Disabilities ,PWDs and the indigent individuals across the State of Imo and beyond.
Speaking at the sideline of the event that took place at Nguru Center, In Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka who is the founder of Stewards of Hope Foundation noted that the foundation was formed in 2012 and that since then, the foundation has been doing a lot to uplift the status of persons living with disabilities and the indigent individuals in the society.
He posited that the provision of the wheelchairs and clutches to PWDs is to promote their sense of human dignity which has been threatened by moral degradation as a society, adding that the society has failed to respond to the needs of PWDs, which is why according to him, Stewards of Hope Foundation doled out the wheelchairs clutches and other food items to families who are struggling under the pressure of providing for the homes. He revealed that the Foundation will also visit some motherless homes and schools to distribute books and bags for the pupils. “Love is the essence of life. The best kind of love is one that cares for another”, he submitted.
Speaking on how the beneficiaries were selected, Enyiaka hinted that to get the desired population in real need, the Foundation used the Catholic Women Organization,CWOs and St. Vincent De Paul because the two groups understood the dynamics of the grassroots, stressing that what they did was to help the foundation select the individuals across all denominations, adding that they’re not confined to any faith tradition but interested in the shared humanity. ‘We are focusing on human beings, who bear the image of God’.
Enyiaka maintained that economic mobility is one of the social questions that’s posing a challenge today. In addressing the issue of economic mobility, he noted that they are using the approach of See, Judge and Act which is a structure in the Catholic social teaching. ‘You See a situation – that’s, one sees the PWDs that are ignored and neglected by the society, you Judge the impact of their situation and how it speaks to the shared humanity of everyone, which is degrading, unfortunate and painful and then you Act by giving them wheelchairs and clutches to improve their status, which gives birth to economic mobility where they are supported to, not just be at the receiving end but to become contributing members of the society so that they can reaffirm their sense of dignity, He posited.
He noted that as part of the Project of Stewards of Hope Foundation, they have been able to give out over 700 wheelchairs to PWDs across Imo, Abia and Enugu states in the last ten (10) years, adding that they also have the book and bag and food drive projects where they visit schools, especially that they visit a particular community in two or three months to give out food items to some homes who are battling with staple foods.
He however encouraged everyone to contribute a quota of charity to the indigent individuals to make the society a better place.
In his contribution, Major General Lincoln Ogunewe (Retired) who came to grace the occasion noted that he saw a great work of charity that’s not publicized but should be, to encourage other people, adding that an act of kindness was shown at the event. He hinted that he was inspired to join the effort to give succor to human beings especially the PWDs in the society. He lauded the Stewards of Hope Foundation for the good work. He encouraged all Nigerians not to lose hope in the country as there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Speaking on the insecurity challenge in the country, he said that today is not forever, stressing that all hands must be on deck to fight insecurity, as according to him, security is everybody’s business.
In her words, one of the beneficiaries, who could not hide her tears of joy poured blessing upon the priest and his team and urged them not to relent in giving support to the less privileged in the society.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT
