3rd December, 2010
About 10,000 volunteers are expected on the streets of Lagos, come11 December, to help further in creating awareness for the plight of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the society.
Put together by Hope Worldwide Nigeria (HWWN), an international NGO with global operations under the auspices of Great Hope Walk, the annual event, with the theme Support a Child, Build a Great Nation, will see concerned volunteers and sponsors march through the streets of Lagos to draw attention and address issues affecting OVCs.
Ola Clement, Chief Executive Officer, HWWN, at a press briefing in Lagos, said the walk is the culmination of community awareness creation that the organisation undertakes at the end of every year, aimed at supporting development, adaptation and review of policies towards improved quality of life for the children, while also encouraging them to aspire to be fulfilled individuals in life.
Clement stated that HWWN works with sponsors like Coca-Cola Nigeria and MTN Foundation, USAID and government parastatals charged with the responsibility of providing social security for the OVC through the provision of direct services to these children in terms of educational support, formal and vocational, facilitating improved access to health care and prevention of malaria and other diseases as well as providing platform for social and mental interaction.
This interaction, he noted, is necessary so that the children do not grow up lacking social cohesion.
Volunteers, according to him, are expected to assemble at Maryland area of Lagos where they will undertake the 10-kilometre walk through Ikorodu Road and terminating at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Other 11 cities across the country will also partake in the charity walk.
—Funsho Arogundade
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