Children are blessings from God no matter how they are born

Those were the passionate words of Eunice Effah, a mother in Sunyani, as she appealed to parents never to abandon or reject children born with disabilities.

Her emotional message came during a touching birthday celebration organised by two 12-year-old girls, Lisa Yaa Aniponsah Owiredu and Eliesse Boro Mwin Yeliviel, for orphans at Compassion is Love in Action (CILIA) at Yawhima in the Sunyani Municipality of the Bono Region.

Disabilities

The celebration, instead of focusing on gifts and enjoyment for themselves, became a moment of love, compassion and hope for vulnerable children, especially those living with disabilities who their families had rejected.

The two Junior High School pupils of the K. NAS International School in Sunyani donated assorted items, including bags of rice, drinks, biscuits, toilet rolls and sachet water to support the home.

They also shared a birthday cake with the children.

Ms Effah, the mother of Miss Owiredu, who accompanied the two young ladies to the home, advised parents to accept and care for children born with disabilities instead of neglecting them.

Ms Effah explained that many children with disabilities grew up to become successful people who received love, care and support from their families.

“Some children do not have arms or legs, but they have become great people because their parents accepted and supported them,” she added.

Painful reality

Beyond the donations and celebration, the event highlighted the painful reality faced by some children at orphanages.

The Founder of the CILIA, Reverend Charlotte Osei Kwarteng, disclosed that the home currently cares for 40 children, including children living with disabilities such as hearing impairment, physical disabilities and mentally-challenged.

It has been alleged that their own parents abandoned some of the children because of their health conditions.

She explained that since she established the home in 2006, she had struggled alone to feed and care for the children.

Despite the challenges, Rev. Kwarteng said the home had successfully supported several children to pursue higher education at universities and colleges across the country.

She thanked the girls for remembering the orphans during their birthday, adding that kindness and compassion can begin at a young age.