From Moses Mbaiorga, Gboko
The Francisca Ordega Foundation (FOF) has presented no fewer than eight modern wheelchairs to physically challenged persons in Benue State.
The beneficiaries were selected from different local governments of the state including Vandeikya, Buruku, Konshisha, Gboko amongst others.
Making the presentation at the JS Tarka Stadium, Gboko last week, the initiator of the project, Francisca Mlumun Ordega who was represented by her media officer, Comrade Haanya Aondoakura said the motive was to ease movement of those who had difficulty in mobility as a result of their physical health challenges.
The Nigerian International further revealed why she chose to extend a hand of charity to People Living With Disabilities, (PLWDs), saying: “since the inception of the Foundation for over eight years, PLWDs did not benefit much from my generosity, therefore, deem it fit to put smiles on their faces this time”.
“Previously, the foundation has been donating relief materials to IDPs, Orphanage Homes, aged persons and so on, but the issue of People Living with Disabilities did not really come to mind, so when we sat and thought of it we resolved that those who are physically challenged should also benefit from the project.
“The selection of beneficiaries was tedious, however, I and my friends had first of all identified people with Disabilities, I used to go there as a wheelchair mechanic and once I discovered an identified person already had a wheelchair I removed him on the list. That was how we were able to fairly select them” she explained.
The former Athletico Madrid star assured that she will extend the distribution of wheelchairs to the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure a larger number benefits from the gesture.
“Based on what I observed from distribution of these wheelchairs, I think we shall continue with it until most of the PLWDs are able to have wheelchairs across the state” she assured.
In their separate responses, Emmanuel Kwaghbula from Konshisha, Ngunan Iorshar from Gboko and Aondoaver Aminde from Buruku Local Government Areas unanimously thanked the donor for her kind gesture and asked God to replenish her a thousand fold.
Established in 2012, Francisca Ordega Foundation (FOF) has reached out to the aged, IDP camps and the vulnerable among others across the state.