MDRF Visits School for the Orphans and Less Privileged, Donates Cash
The Michael Dato Relief Foundation (MDRF) in the course of the year visited Stella Maris Academy, Minna, a school for the orphans and less privileged children in the society. The MDRF team was led by its president, Deaconess Helen Kande Umar. Touched by the story behind the setting up of the academy as narrated by the school’s director, Rev. Father Ezeribe Chiedozie, the Foundation donated the sum of N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) to support the school. The MDRF President said the school will continue to enjoy the support of the Foundation both morally and financially. She urged the children of the school to be attentive and obedient to their teachers and not to take the privilege they now have for granted. She thanked the Director as well as the teaching staff, noting that their rewards cannot only be quantified in terms of naira and kobo but in several other ways.
Receiving the donation on behalf of Stella Maris Academy, the director, Rev. Father Ezeribe Chiedozie thanked the Michael Dato Relief Foundation for the visit and the financial support. He said he was overwhelmed by the visit and prayed that God will continue to bless and reward the foundation and its members.
On what led to the establishment of the school, Rev. Father Chiedozie said it was borne out of the passion to give education to children who are orphaned and vulnerable. According to Father Chiedozie, “We try to assist these poor parents by taking away the burden of their children education from them and let them know that there are people who care for them. We also care for their nutrition and medical needs. There are some children who come to school without food and so we make provision for food. For those children who are orphans, we arrange accommodation for them with foster parents.”
Father Chidozie disclosed that the academy also inculcates a vocational training programme to empower the children when they leave school considering the rate of unemployment in Nigeria. Hence the children are exposed to trainings in fashion design, catering, bead-making, information and computer technology.
On how the school manages to pay its staff since the tuition is basically free (N4,000 per child per year), Rev. Father Chidozie said the school receives funding support from good-hearted individuals especially some of his friends from abroad. He explained that he also uses part of his income while working abroad to support the operations of the school. He noted that the school also engages in rice farming, production of some household items like soap, and rendering of catering services.
Other members of the MDRF team during the visit include the Director of Programmes, Pastor Charles Olewezi, and the Secretary, Miss Georgina Umaru.
MDRF President making a donation to Rev Fr. Chidozie, Director of Stella Maris school for the orphans, Minna