SAFE HOME 4 ORPHANS &VULNERABLE CHILDREN NIGERIA

October 2024

The children of the home celebrated Independence Day on October 1st by joining other schools at a field in Ikola. They participated in a march-past, played games, and enjoyed food and drinks. They returned home with numerous gifts.

On October 3rd, AY was in court, and his care order was extended until November 14th, 2024. Similarly, on October 17th, M., JO, and MC appeared in court, and their care orders were extended until January 30th, 2025.

The children received their measles, HPV, and yellow fever vaccinations at school on October 21st. The vaccination was slightly painful, so they were given paracetamol upon returning home.

On October 25th, the First Lady of Lagos State donated two bags of rice to the home.

M. participated in the Asohon Quiz competition via a video call on October 28th and performed well.

On October 30th, AI was in court, and her care order was extended until February 6th, 2025.

November 2024

On November 5th, the home welcomed a new intake, a 2-year-old boy transferred from the NAPTIP Agency for care and protection. He was immediately taken to the hospital for check-ups, where he was treated for malaria and catarrh and given multivitamins.

The World Orphan’s Day Celebration took place on November 11th at a foundation in Ilupeju, Lagos. A social worker, caregiver, and two children from the home attended the event, which featured dancing competitions, dramas, drawings, and exhibitions. M. emerged as one of the winners of the Asohon Quiz Competition and was rewarded.

On November 14th, A. was in court, where the magistrate ordered his paternal grandmother to begin bonding with him, following a positive DNA test. She visited the home that same day to familiarize herself with the child and the environment. His care order was extended until February 5th, 2025.

A donor celebrated his birthday at the home on November 15th, bringing gifts and making a cash donation. The children thanked him and prayed for him.

On November 20th, AY’s paternal grandmother and her youngest child visited the home for bonding. She brought food items for the children and spent time with them. She returned for another bonding session on November 27th, as per the court’s order.

December 2024

On December 4th, the paternal grandmother of one of the children visited the home, bringing toys, Christmas headbands, and snacks. The bonding session went well.

The home received a new living room set on December 5th, following renovations and repainting to enhance its appearance.

The children attended their school’s end-of-year party on December 10th, where they enjoyed food, drinks, games, dancing, and song performances. Each child received a tracksuit as a gift. Parents and guardians were not invited.

The orphanage held its End-of-the-Year Party on December 17th. The founder of the home attended with her friends, along with the children’s school proprietress and several teachers. Registered widows of the home were also present and received foodstuffs, fabrics, and cash gifts. The event later extended outdoors to support the community, where foodstuffs were distributed. The celebration was colorful and well-appreciated by all.

On December 25th (Christmas Day), Tram Waste Agency visited the home with Santa Claus, bringing gifts such as games, water bottles, drinks, and a cake.

The children attended the His Glory Foundation’s End-of-the-Year Party on December 26th, where they had food, drinks, games, and interacted with children from other orphanages.

A church group visited the home on December 27th to celebrate the season with the children. They brought gifts, shared the word of God, and prayed with them before departing.

January 2025

The children resumed school on January 6th, 2025, excited to be back.

On January 16th, the school held its PTA meeting, where key issues were discussed, including parental attitudes towards education, school fee payments, and adherence to school rules. The main topic was the upcoming Inter-House Sports event in April 2025, with parents encouraged to support it. The home was assigned to Pearl and Platinum House.

M. began attending extension classes on January 20th in preparation for her Common Entrance Examination.

General Update

Overall, the children have been doing well, actively participating in school, social activities, and bonding sessions while receiving care and support from the home.

On May 23, 2024, one of the children previously cleared for adoption appeared in court. The magistrate ordered the ministry officer and the social worker to hand her over to her adoptive parents after completing the necessary investigation. As a result, the remaining number of children in HRHF is now six.

On May 27, 2024, the children's school organized an excursion in celebration of Children's Day. The children returned with sweets, drinks, food, and gifts, including a backpack and a towel for each child.

On May 30, 2024, one of the children appeared in court, where the judge ordered a DNA test to be conducted, under court supervision, on both the woman claiming to be his grandmother and the boy. On the same day, the court also issued an order to bring a young girl into our care for shelter. She was removed from another home due to signs of neglect. She was promptly taken to the clinic for a medical checkup, which confirmed she was in good health. She was provided with multivitamins and paracetamol.

This decision by the judge to entrust the little girl in our care reflects our commitment and dedication to the children we support. The addition of the young girl has now increased the number of children under our care to seven.

On June 3, 2024, the child of one of our donors celebrated his birthday with the children at our home. The children enjoyed games, dancing, and festivities with the birthday boy. Many gifts and food items were shared with the children, adding to the joyful occasion.

The children observed the Salah break on June 17th and 18th, 2024 and returned to school on June 19th, 2024.

On June 26, 2024, O. went for a DNA test at a forensic lab designated by the state government.

To stay current, our social worker attended the SWIPI training at the First Lady’s office on July 3, 2024, which was themed “Child Rights Laws.”

On July 4, three of the children appeared in court, where their care order was extended until October 17, 2024.

On July 19, 2024, six of the children attended and participated in their school's end-of-session graduation party. It was a festive occasion! Two of the children graduated from lower primary to upper primary on this day.

A.'s care order was extended until October 30, 2024, due to the nationwide protest on August 1, 2024. O.'s DNA result hearing, initially scheduled for August 15, was postponed to October 3, 2024, as the magistrate was on leave.

On August 20, 2024, the social worker from our home attended the SWIPI training at the First Lady’s office. The training focused on “Quality Control and Standards in Caregiving.”

On August 24, 2024, the children went on a field trip to Akoko Farm with all the staff. They had the chance to see various livestock, including chickens, hens, cattle, pigs, goats, and horses. They were thrilled to see the live animals up close and thoroughly enjoyed the outing away from home.

The children temporarily left the home from September 4th to 6th, 2024, for fumigation activities. New mattresses and furniture were brought into the home on September 7th. The children returned back to school on September 9th, 2024.

On September 15th, the social worker, caregiver, and a few children represented the home at the annual "Back to School" empowerment program organized by His Glory Foundation, where they received school supplies and two cartons of noodles. The children also observed the Eid el-Maulud celebration on September 16th, 2024.

RCCG Corner Stone Parish, Oshodi, visited the home on September 21st and donated a bag of rice and two cartons of noodles. Later, on September 27th, RCCG Shepherd’s Gate Parish, Ikola, visited and donated biscuits, sweets, and a carton of noodles.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all our donors. Your care and unwavering support mean so much to us. Thank you!