Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
A huge burden may have been removed from Mr. Cletus Nwachukwu and his wife, Roseline of Udo community in Ezinihite Local Government Area of Imo State as luck recently came the way of their eight-year-old visually impaired daughter, Munachimso.
A philanthropic organisation, Marceli Chinagorom Foundation ran into the girl and offered her immediate scholarship for special education while also promising to go to any length to restore her sight, even if it means taking her for treatment abroad.
Little Munachimso, a primary one pupil, according to her parents, developed cataract when she was born, and in a bid to make her see, they took her to different places including hospitals, churches and healing homes, not minding their lean resources.
However, her parents’ strong faith that she would see again got bolstered when the Director General of the Marceli Chinagorom Foundation, Dr Marceli Oguh, encountered Munachimso while distributing stationeries and sporting materials at Udo Town School, Ezinihite.
Oguh did not have the slightest inkling that the girl had vision impairment as he handed out materials to them; when it got to Munachimso’s turn, instead of grabbing the items with her two hands, she stretched the hands at another direction while facing the other way.
Oguh immediately discovered that something was wrong and brought her out. The way she answered questions showed her brilliance, hence he on the spot vowed to give her scholarship and do everything possible to restore her sight.
Without much ado, Munachi as she is fondly called, was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC), Owerri, after due consultation with her parents where she was diagnosed of glaucoma and nystagmus.
While processes for Munachi to possibly regain her sight progressed, the founder of the foundation, who is presently aspiring to represent Ezinihite/Ahiazu Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on May 2, enrolled her into the Special School for the Blind, Afuru-Ukwu in Abia State.
Munachi was all smiles as one of the Directors of Marceli Foundation, Mr Oguh took her to her new school and class where she danced with joy as she met her new classmates.
He explained that the politician would not mix his philanthropy with politics, stressing that his primary objective is to see that Ezinihite children have access to education while those talented in sports are identified early.
Reacting to the gesture, her mother, Mrs. Roseline Nwachukwu expressed gratitude to Dr. Oguh and prayed God to fulfil the political aspiration of the philanthropist.
Munachi’s father lamented that the girl’s impaired vision had not allowed her cope like other pupils in school, but however, heaved a sigh of relief, thanking God that “today my daughter will fulfil her dreams.”