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• Group vulnerability should not determine a child’s future
Sisters in Deen Foundation (SIDF), a Lagos-based non-profit organisation, an Islamic foundation that announces itself as being committed to the welfare, education, empowerment and social inclusion of orphans and vulnerable children.
The foundation recently opened the Baytu Sakeenah Orphanage Home in Lagos.
The two-in-one event was held on Saturday, October 31, at the orphanage in Ogba. The event featured a capacity-building lecture and an open-house tour of the facility.
With the theme: “Vulnerability: A Stepping Stone to Success,” the programme reflected the foundation’s conviction that a child’s background or circumstances should never become a permanent limitation of his or her dreams, opportunities and future achievements.
The special event brought together stakeholders, development advocates and other well-meaning individuals who were passionate about impacting the lives of the vulnerable children positively.
Starting with the capacity-building lecture, SIDF succeeded in sending a message to the vulnerable children that their story was not over and that their backgrounds should not be a barrier to their ambition.
The event also showcased the milestones and progress made regarding the foundation’s new residential facility and mobilising support towards its completion.
The kind-hearted Nigerians who are mostly women in Islam chose to be selfless by providing a safe haven for the vulnerable and orphans in the society. They came together to show love, kindness, compassion, and passion to change the ugly stories of the orphans and vulnerable children.
In the last eight years, Sisters in Deen Foundation Orphanage, also known as Baytu Sakeenah, has been a beacon of hope and pillar of grace for the orphans through interventions and ongoing awareness to the public.
Led by its President, Dr. Nurat Akinlabi-Babalola; Vice President, Hajia Binta Adisa; Public Relations Officer, Hajia Fatima Saliu Adenekan; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Hajia Rafat Sanusi; Member, Board of Trustees, Hajia Olayinka Kareem; Welfare Secretary, Hajia Olusosu Basirat Omolara and Director, SIDF NEXTGEN, Munirat Amolegbe and Secretary of the Foundation, Hajia Fatima Abubakar Monguno, there was a new vibe to the celebration of its annual programme.
It also provided special opportunity for stakeholders and prospective donors to appreciate the progress made on the new Baytu Sakeenah Orphanage Home, understand the outstanding requirements and explore practical ways of supporting the project.
According to SIDF, the goodwill, encouragement and support of stakeholders have contributed to bringing the vision of the new home closer to reality, noting that the open-house tour was organised to enable those who have supported the project, as well as prospective partners and donors, to see the facility first-hand and become part of the next phase of its development.
That next phase involves completing and equipping the building to make it a fully functional, safe and nurturing residential home where orphaned and vulnerable children can enjoy a life of protection, dignity, love, education and opportunities for a better future.
Explaining the philosophy behind its capacity-building development programme, the foundation emphasised that caring for vulnerable children must go beyond providing food, clothing and accommodation. It noted that children require knowledge, essential life skills, emotional resilience, self-confidence and the right support systems to discover their abilities, pursue their dreams and become responsible members of society.
“Behind every child is a story. Behind every story is potential waiting to be unlocked,” the foundation stated in its programme concept, which shaped the three topics to which the three erudite scholars invited as guest speakers for Saturday’s two-in-one event all did justice.
The foundation’s philosophy is to change the narrative surrounding children who find themselves in difficult social and economic circumstances. Rather than viewing vulnerability as a permanent disadvantage, SIDF seeks to create an environment in which children can overcome limitations, acquire useful competencies and develop the confidence to build meaningful futures.
President of the foundation, Dr Akinlabi-Babalola, urged the leaders of tomorrow never to allow their current backgrounds to become barriers to reaching greater heights in life.
Babalola added that beyond charity, the foundation is committed to building capable and confident future leaders.
“Today, we have come together around a theme that speaks directly to our mission, our values and, indeed, the future of the children and the young people whose lives we are committed to transforming: ‘Vulnerability: A Stepping Stone to Success’.
“This is more than a theme. It is a testament of belief, it is a challenge to society and it is a message of hope to every child and young person who has ever felt disadvantaged by their circumstances.
“At Sisters in Deen Foundation, we refuse to accept that a difficult beginning must translate into a difficult ending. We refuse to believe that being an orphan, growing up in a disadvantaged environment, experiencing poverty or facing social exclusion should determine the limits of a person’s dreams and possibilities. A child’s background may explain where the journey begins, but it must never determine where that journey ends.
“An orphan is not a failed destiny. A vulnerable child is not a lost cause. Every child carries potential, talent, intelligence and the ability to become something remarkable. What makes the difference is the environment we create, the opportunity we provide, the support we extend and the investment we are willing to make in their future. That is the conviction that drives Sisters in Deen Foundation.
“Our responsibility to vulnerable children must go beyond providing food, clothing and shelter. While these are essential, true transformation requires much more. It requires education, character development, emotional support, spiritual nourishment, life skills, mentorship, exposure and opportunities for economic independence,” she stated.
One of the guest speakers, Hon. Justice Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court encouraged people to always connect with the children as she encouraged children from the Baytu Sakeenah Orphanage Home and those invited from other orphanages not to despair because they were orphans.
According to her, Prophet Muhammad was himself an orphan.
She also cited the example of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who once said that he went to school without shoes, assuring the children that if Jonathan, who once attended school without shoes, could become a successful person and President of Nigeria, they too could succeed.
The jurist, however, advised them not to keep what bothered them to themselves, saying that “there are answers to all problems and worries in speaking out.”
She cited Chapter 13, Verse 11 of the Qur’an where Allah says He will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves, urging the children to always take steps.
“You will be amazed how Allah will improve your situation, make things easy for you and make your life better. One step at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed trying to solve all problems at once,” she advised.
Justice Pinheiro shared her own personal experiences as a junior judge, even as she noted that she had to take things easy and align with the right steps to get to where she is today.
“Life is about something you do quietly and one day it becomes great and many people start to benefit from you. Be consistent in everything you do and leave the rest for Allah to perfect for you,” she stated.
In her remarks, Hajia Mutiat Olagoke made an interactive presentation titled: “Your Story Matters”.
Also, in his remarks, Dr Abdulfatai Olajobi, said the children might think that because they were orphans, and because of their poor background, they cannot make it in life. But their circumstances should not be a reason why they cannot succeed.
“Great people have come from such humble backgrounds and still made it in life,” he said.
Others who spoke included the SIDF Board of Trustees Chairman, Hajia Rafiat Sanusi; Secretary, Hajia Fatimah Monguno; and Programme Manager, Hajia Islamiyyah Saka.
Hajia Sanusi described the event as a major milestone for the SIDF.
“Sisters in Deen Foundation are the custodians of Baytu Sakeenah Orphanage. We started by making donations to other homes at a time when we didn’t have our own home. We were going to the Bab-Es-Salam Orphanage at GRA, Ikeja. We migrated from donating carbohydrates to donating protein and other things on a monthly basis. We then put our heads together and formed a home of our own.
“A lot of things happened behind the scenes but, when we wanted to start, one of us gave this house to us to start with. The promise was that we would start with this building and, when we got our own building, we would quit and move to the new building. We have a permanent site at Epe but, for now, that place cannot be used because it is too remote.
“So, we started soliciting, contributing and seeking people’s help. By so doing, we were able to get a new place. When we got it, we had to renovate it, provide the amenities and make it habitable for our children, today we have a place we can call our own home,” she said.
She explained further that apart from the capacity building and lectures, another milestone celebrated was the opening of the newly acquired orphanage facility, which was made possible through contributions of stakeholders, the general public and members of the foundation.
“We are opening this place to the public so that those who donated to us will know what we used the money donated to us for and that we made judicious use of it,” she said.
The foundation’s Secretary, Fatimah Monguno, revealed that the facility cost N200 million, after which it was renovated and opened for use.
The event came alive with the stage drama that demonstrated how people could know and exercise their rights without having to overstep the boundaries of the law, climaxing with the open-house tour of the new Baytu Sakeenah Home.
According to SIDF, the facility would require additional support and resources before it could become fully operational, calling on individuals, corporate organisations, development partners and other philanthropic institutions to support.
Such contributions could come through financial donations, building and furnishing materials, equipment, professional services, technical expertise and strategic partnerships.
For SIDF, the new home represents more than a physical structure. It is intended to become a place where children who have experienced vulnerability can find stability, care, protection and opportunities to rebuild their confidence and pursue their ambitions.
The foundation’s activities cover several areas including residential care and child welfare, education, health intervention, psychosocial support, capacity building and skills development, youth empowerment and mentorship, advocacy and community outreach.
Beyond orphanage services, SIDF also extends assistance to disadvantaged households through food relief initiatives, including monthly food support for vulnerable families and special distributions during festive occasions, particularly Eid celebrations.
The foundation maintained that supporting children should not be seen as the responsibility of charitable organisations alone but as a collective commitment requiring the participation of individuals, families, professionals, corporate organisations and the wider community.
