Halal Children’s Home, a leading organisation providing care for orphaned and vulnerable children in Nigeria, has urged Nigerians to embrace fostering and care for those without parental support. The call was made during a fostering awareness walk in Abuja to mark the World Adoption Day, with the theme, “From Commitment to Compassion: Every Child Deserves a Home.” The organisation’s President, Rahmat Abubakar, emphasised the need for collective action to address the growing population of vulnerable children.
According to Ms Abubakar, while many Nigerians express compassion for vulnerable children, more people need to demonstrate genuine commitment by opening their homes to provide them with care, protection and a sense of belonging. She noted that government alone could not address the needs of the growing population of vulnerable children, urging individuals and communities to complement government’s efforts. This, she believes, will help provide a stable and supportive environment for the children.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Shuaib Mustapha, who was the guest lecturer at the occasion, identified parental neglect, insecurity and drug abuse as challenges threatening the wellbeing of children and young people. He called for stronger family values, religious guidance and government intervention to protect children, particularly those orphaned by conflicts and other crises. Mr Mustapha also urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to intensify efforts to block drug trafficking channels.
The Welfare Officer of Halal Children’s Home, Khadijat Fashina, provided an update on the organisation’s operations, stating that it currently operates in three geopolitical zones, with about sixty children in Abuja, forty in Lagos and thirty in Kaduna. She said the organisation plans to extend its activities to the remaining three geopolitical zones within the next five years. This expansion aims to increase the organisation’s reach and provide care to more vulnerable children.
A beneficiary of the Home, Muhammad Abdullahi, who joined in 2018, expressed gratitude to the organisation and its donors for their support. He said he was now in his final year at the University of Abuja, highlighting the positive impact of the organisation’s efforts on his life. The awareness walk also featured health and wellbeing activities as well as sensitisation for children on their responsibilities towards building a better society.
The fostering awareness walk and World Adoption Day celebration aimed to raise awareness about the importance of providing a stable and supportive environment for vulnerable children. The event also sought to encourage Nigerians to consider fostering and adopting children, with the organisation providing support and resources for those interested. By working together, the organisation believes that a positive impact can be made on the lives of vulnerable children.
The Halal Children’s Home has made significant progress in providing care and support to vulnerable children in Nigeria. With plans to expand its operations to more geopolitical zones, the organisation is committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of those it serves. Key points include:
Key points
- The organisation currently cares for 130 children across three geopolitical zones.
- Plans are underway to expand operations to the remaining three geopolitical zones within the next five years.
- The organisation provides care, protection and a sense of belonging to vulnerable children.
