The Children’s Day celebration in Nigeria which is held each year on May 27, would this year ever remain memorable to the children of “A Place of Hope for Orphan Children Foundation” at Opi- Nsukka. A Place of Hope is an orphanage home founded by Rev. Joseph Starling and his wife, Beverly. They are American missionaries who chose to rescue, live with and train the orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children here in Nigeria. Granted, the orphans were in high spirits and thankful to God as they prayed, sang and celebrated with the members of the Elite Club of Nsukka who paid them a visit and poured in gifts and cash donations afterwards. However, the manner in which the orphans joined millions of other Nigerian kids in the celebration of ‘May 27th’ with members of the aforesaid club was really awesome and remarkable. One would hardly notice the ‘missing link’ and pains they have experienced in the loss of parents and those who would have loved and cared for them.
The Elite club is a noble organization with a conglomerate of members drawn from mainly academic and administrative staff of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Part of the major concerns of the group is reaching out to vulnerable people and engaging in other philanthropic and humanitarian activities. In the course of the visit to the humble home in Opi, the spokesman and president of the group, Dr. Phil Eze, pointed out that the cardinal aim for their visit was to express love for orphaned, destitute, needy children. Their expression of love included numerous gifts of rice, pampers, milk, Ovaltine, tissue among other items and a handsome sum of cash. Others in the group included: Mr. Sam Ezugwu,(Former P.R.O, UNN and Vice President of the Association) Prof. C. Tagbo Ugwu,Prof. Malachy Okwueze(Dean, Student Affairs,UNN), , Prof. M. C Madukwe, Prof. E. O Ezeani (Dean, Social Sciences, UNN),Dr. A. M Okolie (ASSU Chairman UNN), Dr. Nnanyelugo Okoro, Mr. Innocent Agwara, Mr. E. J Nwagwu, Mr. Maxi Asogwa, Mr. and Paschal Onah. Meanwhile, the founder of “A Place of Hope”, Rev. Joseph Starling, wife Beverly along with the home’s manager, Rev. Emmanuel Ugwu, were so happy and thankful to the group for the gracious donations bestowed upon these worthy children. The celebration was quite jubilant as the prospect of additional food items and necessary cash was provided. Rev. Joe, as he is fondly called, remarked that the Lord is their provider and has demonstrated his power to provide once again.
Rev. Joe expressed his deep sorrow over the continued neglect of destitute and orphaned children in the world and Nigeria in particular. As missionaries, they hope to rescue more orphans among the eight millions currently roaming in Nigerian villages, towns and city streets.