Mariam Akinloye
Organisers of the Mary Nwauju Foundation, a humanitarian body with focus on supporting the elderly and promoting community development, is set for the fourth edition of its annual food support for senior citizens.
But in order to offer better satisfaction to its beneficiaries and ensure efficient service delivery, the foundation has engaged its volunteers at an orientation programme on the principles behind the initiative and what is expected of them, at the Kingsmead Group of Schools Hall, Erunwen, Ikorodu.
The initiative tagged, “Elderly Nourishment Programme” is a pilot programme of Mary Nwauju Foundation, held three to four times annually since its inception.
Mrs Ngozi Adeolu-Idowu, Managing Partner of Kingsmead Group of Schools, and Chief Executive Officer, Nicas Global Limited, speaking about the foundation said it was initiated to continue her late mother’s humanitarian work for elderly people.
She said that one of the phases of this year’s “Elderly Nourishment Program” will be held in Ikwuano in Abia State, her mother’s home town.
“What brought about this programme was my mum’s demise, and since she is a lover of elderly people, I decided to continue with her initiative. This is what she used to do, and I felt that somebody really needed to step into her shoes, and after looking around I felt I was the only one available and I stepped into it, and since I started, it has been a good experience.
“Today, we are engaging the volunteers and I am really overwhelmed with joy seeing people coming from far places to a place where they have never been to because of the love they have for humanity. I really appreciate them and seeing these kinds of people, I believe that we will work together as a team to achieve our aim,” she said.
Olubode Mac Oserinde, the Chief Executive Officer, EAS Online TV and volunteers’ trainer emphasised the importance of volunteerism to attainment of Mary Nwauju Foundation’s objective of caring for hundreds of elderly people annually.
“Some months earlier, we did our outreach, and we realised the need and importance of having volunteers as part of the project, because we know that volunteers are committed to humanitarian causes.
“Thus, experience made me realise that a lot of people just want to go into volunteering, but they are not really sincere about it. Volunteerism is about committing yourself beyond limit to what you promise to do, because you offered yourself for the cause; that here I am and ready to serve.”
He charged the volunteers on the need to understand the obligation to take up responsibilities and deliver in an effective and efficient way, adding that failing in such negatively affects the overall objective of the foundation.
“If you fail in your task, you are failing the project, and your actions or in action could cause a project a whole lot in terms of growth, progress, results, visibility and many other areas including productivity,” Mr Mac Oserinde said.
He furthered: “We don’t want to push out things that will not make us proud, and by the time we conclude this with you, you will commit yourself more to volunteerism.You should know that volunteering is going to consume your time, because it’s about you stressing yourself even beyond your limit to the cause of others.”
Speaking on the initiative, the facilitator said,
“Elderly Nourishment Program is a pilot programme of Mary Nwauju Foundation, which comes up three to four times every year. It is not just in Lagos, but in other places for those of you that love to travel.
“When we effectively commit the time and resources to serving the beneficiaries, on the day of the event you will see these elderly people receiving care, and nourishment, from the foundation. That is when you will be glad that you are part of the process.
“When you give your time to something for the sake of the happiness of others, trust me it comes back in multiple folds.
“So, I encourage everyone of us who has committed to do this, to give it his or her best. The foundation is struggling, and I commend Mrs Adeolu-Idowu and her sister, they have been trying their best and putting in a lot to keep the foundation alive.”
He called on the volunteers to see themselves as part of something greater.
“One of the things I need every one of us to do is that we should see ourselves, not just as one member unit, once any idea pops up in your mind, reach out to the head of the team to share your idea. We are going to have a central team and head of the units,” he charged them.
