By Gabriel Dike
Even when they have no income of their own, students of Wellspring College, Gbagada, Phase 11, Lagos, recently did the uncommon by raising money to purchase items, which were distributed to five widows as part of their school’s empowerment programme.
The school believes that part of the best ways to give back to society is to positively touch the lives of the less-privileged. So, it donated grinding machines and other items to the widows.
Guests who witnessed the annual ceremony described the students’ rare deed as an innovation. They showered encomium on the management for supporting the initiative.
At the handover ceremony of the items, the college management said the gesture was part of the school’s corporate social responsibility to the less-privileged. The beneficiaries were excited and couldn’t wait to take possession of the machines and have a feel of them.
The proprietor of the college, Mr. Daniel Isimoya, described the widows as wives of God, as stated in the Bible, stressing: “So, God is using us to provide for them. If God gives us the grace, we will continue to do it annually. We visit less-privileged homes every year to donate items too.”
Mr. Isimoya said the vision of the outreach was that of the students, who raised money during college programmes and other means to finance the idea. “The students should be given the credit. We are only here to present the items on their behalf.”
He disclosed that neither the college management nor the students knew the six widows, adding that they were chosen from different churches in the community by their pastors.
The Principal of the college, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Oloriade, also disclosed that the students were the brain behind the gift items. She said they raised money and collected offering to cater for the less- privileged.
“We don’t know any of the widows. We only went round the churches within Olowora and asked them to send us widows in need. Some of them don’t even have their wards in our school. The items are for them to start doing something to support their children,” she explained.
Enugu-State born Mrs. Regina Nnam, was among the widows, who benefitted from the students’ largesse. She told Daily Sun that after the death of her husband five years ago, she had been struggling to cater for her kids in school. She lauded the college for providing her with the grinding machine, which she hoped to use for business.
Mrs. Rose Achifb from Edo State, said the college surprised her with the gift adding: “I received a phone call to come for the event and collect the gift. I don’t know anybody in the college; I don’t even know the principal. I lost my husband eight years ago and since then, things have not been easy for me and my kid.
“I use the money I realised from my trading to pay his school fee and feeding. But with this machine, I intend to open a shop where I will be grinding tomatoes and pepper and selling other things. I’m very happy with the gift; since the students surprised me with this item, I pray God to surprise the college in turn.”
Janet Felani, a student, who stood in for her mother, tearfully told the correspondent that her dad passed on in 2009 and since then, her mom had been catering for her and her sibblings.
“We will start a business with this machine and try to eke out a living. It’s been difficult since my dad died. We don’t know anybody in the college; my family appreciates the management for their kind gesture.”
The principal said the college took cognisance of the needs of the people in its immediate environment, stressing that it was the culture of the college to cater for the needs of people at orphanage and old people’s homes and rehabilitation centres.
Some of the students told Daily Sun that they raised money during college events and used part of their pocket money to finance the programme.