• WACCA showers love on 2,000 vulnerable Enugu kids
From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
On May 25, 2025, the Women and Children Action Charity Organisation (WACCA) held a heart-warming Children’s Day outreach that touched the lives of over 2,000 vulnerable children in Enugu State. The event was more than just a celebration, it was an emphatic statement of hope, compassion and commitment to the future of underprivileged children.
The gathering, hosted by WACCA’s founder and CEO, Maudline Nwakuche, brought together government representatives, educators, caregivers and hundreds of joyful children from poor and marginalised backgrounds, all eager to be part of the fun. Held at the premises of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Ogui Layout, Enugu, the event featured a march past, traditional dances, native-themed beauty pageant and various games.
Nwakauche said: “I feel highly honoured to stand before you on this memorable occasion. Words are not enough to express gratitude to God Almighty for making us witness this long-awaited day. In spite of all the issues ravaging our country recently, the Lord has protected, provided and preserved each and every one of us.
“Children’s Day is a reminder of the joy and purity life has to offer. A day dedicated to honouring the innocence, curiosity and boundless energy of children. Our goals include breaking the vicious cycle of poverty, restoring hope, supporting education and empowering women and families economically.
“We have visited City Girls Secondary School, Enugu, Metropolitan Secondary School, Enugu, Independence Layout Primary School 1, Enugu, and Prime College, where we taught students about good morals and the dangers of social vices such as cultism, drug abuse and child trafficking.
“We visited the Children’s Ward at Parklane Teaching Hospital, Enugu, and presented gift items. We were warmly welcomed by the chief medical director, Prof. Ngwu Berthrand. We also supported a little boy who had an accident, at Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu.
“The group reached out to motherless babies’ homes, including the Red Cross, Mother of Christ Motherless Babies’ Home, Oasis of Hope, and Tamar-SAC (now the Enugu State Sexual Assault Referral Centre). We even donated a new microwave to ease their stress and burden of cooking.
“We have granted full scholarships to children in rural schools to prevent them from dropping out due to lack of funds. In 2024, we fed over 600 children in Udi Local Government and gave out gift items.
“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. It is our collective responsibility to invest in their future by providing them with the love, care and support they deserve.
“Let’s endeavour to become mentors, caregivers and protectors of every child we encounter. Every child you meet is a divine appointment. We owe it to them and to ourselves, to provide a safe space for their growth and development.”
Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Ngozi Enih, reaffirmed government’s support for child development: “Enugu State has done a lot through the ministry and in collaboration with NGOs, CSOs and community-based organizations to preserve the rights of our children. We have domesticated the Child Rights Law and it is being implemented.
“The plan is to build smart schools in all 260 wards of the state. It is not just about structures, but what happens inside the schools. Our goal is to ensure that every child in Enugu can compete with their peers anywhere in the world.
“We are doing a lot to make sure that every child goes back to school. The target is that by September this year, every child returns to school. And when we say every child, we mean every child. No one is left behind.”
Chinaza Nnamani, a beneficiary: “I am so happy. I was able to join my fellow kids to play and to have fun. I enjoyed myself more than I did last year. They told us that they give scholarships to those who do not have help.
“I pray that I will do well this term so that they will give me a scholarship. I want to be a pilot when I grow up. Even though my parents do not have it all, I will not lose hope. I will keep studying hard.”