IT was a great relief for a 10-year-old indigent girl, Habib Umar who received a wheel chair worth N85,000 from a non-governmental organization, NANA Smile Project Africa Foundation.
The physically challenged girl, a native of Benue State who resides in Awka, Anambra State with her mother and four siblings, crawled to the pedestrian bridge at Nnamdi Azikiwe University temporary site junction, Awka daily with her brothers to beg for alms.
Founder of Nana Smile Project Africa Foundation, Miss Chinasa Blessing Chukwuneke, also known as Nassygold, said she has passion for lending helping hands to less privileged, indigent and marginalised women and children across Africa.
“Nana SmileProject Africa Foundation, a Non Governmental Organization, is set out to put a smile on someone’s face.
“Habib was the only indigent person that was found on the pedestrian bridge where such persons usually scamper for help from road users.
“The foundation through its numerous projects has advocated and provided empowerment for women and children in form of Covid- 19 stimulus packages in various Communities across Nigeria,” she said, disclosing that she bought the wheel chair and decided to give it to any lucky indigent person irrespective of tribe or gender.
Elated Habib in her response, thanked their benefactor for the kind gesture.
She said she could not go to school as her parents could not afford to pay for her fees.
“My papa is at home in Zakibiam; he carries yam for people, whatever I get here is what i use to eat.
“I can’t go to school because of lack of money; my mother can’t send me school,” she said.
A resident of the area, Mrs Chinenye Onyemobi who was touched by the good gesture, prayed God to continue to provide NANA with the needed support.
“Waooo, this thing you did, God will never forsake you; this is so wonderful,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Franklyn Udenkwele who was also thrilled by the action said such gesture needed government assistance in order to reach out to more indigent persons in the society.
“I believe that whatever she is doing with this her foundation is recorded by God and she will be rewarded abundantly.”
For Miss Adaeze Okafor, one of the volunteers in Nana Smileproject Africa Foundation, more indigent persons in the society are in dire need of assistance.
“They could only be reached through the foundation if government and other wealthy individuals willingly support the project,” she added.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the wheel chair to the beneficiary as several onlookers thrilled by the gesture watched and prayed God to continue to protect and provide for the Foundation.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
