Freemasons gifts hope, succour to Sickle Cell Orphanage at Anambra

.. Charity in action!

A delegation from the Free and Accepted Masons, Southeastern Region, Nigeria, recently conducted a festive outreach to the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home Agulu, keeping with their long-standing traditions of Brotherly Love and Relief. 

The visit which saw several distinguished lodge officers and members including, Chief Laz Enwereuzor; Rt Hon. Ikem Uzoezie ( Former Anambra State House of Assembly Member) Dr CC Ezelum; Dr Nnaemeka Umedum, (Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital) Chief Ikenna Nwachukwu, among other esteemed officers and brothers of the region.

While reflecting on the purpose of the visit, Chief Laz Enwereuzor said Freemasonry seeks to create tangible positive impacts in the society, especially for the vulnerable and local communities. 

“To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men. Whatever we have we share with the vulnerable to see how they can come up and grow from strength to strength,” Chief Laz concluded. 

Dr Ezelum who made introductions on the members who are captains of industries, also harped on the unchanged Freemason's legacy of service in the Southeastern region. 

Warmly recieving the cherished delegation to the Sickle Cell Orphanage Home, Director Mrs Aisha Edward Maduagwu, praised the Masons for their unwavering commitment in humanitarian activities. She noted with gratitude that this was not the first time the Lodge had extended its hand to the home, recognizing the brethren as consistent partners in our mission. 

Aisha Edward specifically mentioned and appreciated Rt Hon. Ikem Uzoezie, recalling his efforts as co-chair on the committee for the enactment of the sickle cell law in the 6th Assembly. Seven year later, it raises quite a flurry of emotions to see children who has not been birthed during that time, speak today on the importance for the full implementation and enforcement of the sickle cell law. 

In the same vein, she also expressed her profound gratitude to the CMAC, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Dr Nnaemeka Umedum, for the institution's quick response and ability to sickle cell crisis and management. Observing the warm and cordial relationships between the sickle cell group and the Anambra State commissioner for health, making it easily accessible for sickle cell patients to gain quality services in state owned medical institutions. She thanked the management of the teaching hospital, while expecting more collaborations on places of mutual interests. 

The children of the home added a touching highlight to the day, delivering a wonderful speech presentation, eulogizing the noble gestures of their benefactors. They expressed heartfelt thanks for the gifts, which they felt would significantly improve their wellbeing and comfort.

Items donated where cartons of normal saline and dextrose saline, malaria test kits, packets of drip sets, gallons of groundnut oil, and a generous cash token.

~ Edozie Maduagwu 

Media/ Strategic Communication 

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