Sallah Celebration With Madabo Community

Wednesday, the 22nd of August 2018, will be a day to remembered by the People of Madabo Community in Lokoja, the state capital of Kogi State.

The day started beautifully but the weather forecast was against us, as it had been predicted to be a rainy day with thunderstorm ahead but  this didn't discourage the #HEALTRIBE. Few minutes past the hour of 9am, we stormed Baba Yusuf's house which is the venue for the event knowing fully well that Nature would not disturb our good cause to Heal her.

We set to work even in the absence of the HEAL for Africa initiative Founder, Dr Kelechi Okoro, who still had few things she needed to sort out in town for us to have a successful event.  The #HEALTRIBE worked in division of labour yet in Unity of Purpose. Before 10am, everything had been put in place for "Heal the Slums" Season 3, which we tagged "Madabo Eid Funfair".

We designed the funfair to celebrate Sallah with 200 Children from the community. We also gave out foodstuffs, Diapers, Toiletries etc to the Women and even the men were not left out.

While addressing the newsmen, our founder, Dr Kelechi Okoro,  made some comments that we can't help but share with you. She said the gesture was to celebrate the Sallah festival with the less- privileged. In her words, the HEAL for Africa Initiative, is strongly committed to empowering communities in Africa in the areas of health, education, advocacy and livelihood, among others.
“On Sallah day, we were there to celebrate Sallah with people in the slum who feel they do not have anybody, and this is our third outreach in the state.

“First episode was at Paparanda Square last Christmas, the second was on Valentine Day in Adankolo community, and today we are in the slum areas in Madabo, Old market area of Lokoja.
“The residents are so happy, saying they have never experienced this kind of love in their area before.
“Over 200 children were fed, 30 women given foodstuffs, even the men were not left out. There was enough items for everybody.

“We thank all our partners and volunteers for collaborating with us to bring smiles to the faces on these indigent children and women living in the slum,” she said.
Dr Kelechi said that the next programme for Heal for Africa was the “Pay Attention To Her (PATH) Project, which was launched in May, aimed at empowering schoolgirls on personal and menstrual hygiene.
“We are targeting 10 schools in September. We shall train schoolgirls on personal and menstrual hygiene, and give out sanitary pads, hygiene products, stationary and also empower the girls,” she said.

One thing is certain, the good people of Madabo Community will not forget the Act of Love and Life touching impact of HEAL for Africa Initiative anytime soon.

Check out commentaries from some of the beneficiaries.

Mr Hassan Yusuf(The leader of the community) “we have never found it so good from an NGO like this before; we are much grateful because the children never thought of this.”

Jumai Abdullahi(winner of our dance contest) : I'm excited for the opportunity given to me to display my talent, this year’s Sallah is a unique one for me and my friends.

Rabi Yakubu:  “We are very happy because nobody has ever remembered us in this our rural area before.
“We are very happy that somebody remembered us today, we pray that the Lord bless them.”

Zainab Adebowale: "we are very grateful to the NGO for feeding our children and for giving them fresh foodstuffs, and also diapers for our babies."

- Heal Media Team.

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