By Ese Obote-Ogwu
Parents have been admonished to train, show love, care and help their children develop passion that will make them live fulfilled life, irrespective of their health conditions especially children with special needs.
Delta State Head of Service (HoS), Mr Reginald Bayoko, gave the admonition during the 12th anniversary celebration of Joy in Africa Foundation (JAF), in Asaba.
Bayoko, who was represented by the Director, Planning Research and Statistic in the Office of the Head of Service, Mr Ejiro Ehriakeme, stated that children were, a perfect and unique gift from God Almighty and should be cherished.
He advised parents with special needs children not to relent training of them, saying: “Inside of these kids are a whole lot of untapped talents that craves for development.”
Bayoko commended the founder of JAF, Ms Joy Iselobor, for her commitment to the development of the children, even as he said: “Service to humanity is one of the best gifts to be offered throughout one’s life time,” and pledged his unflinching support to the foundation.
Earlier in her remark, the Founder of the Joy in Africa Foundation, Ms Joy Iselobor, who expressed gratitude to God for keeping her and the grace to run the foundation, said that it had impacted lives in 23 communities within and outside the state.
She encouraged parents with special needs children to always call for help where necessary and that they should not be ashamed of the children but speak positive words to them.
Iselobor solicited the help of donors to help her foundation reach out to more children.
In their different lectures, a Diaspora Specialist, Mrs Laura Ade and Dr Daniel Omodon, a retired permanent secretary from the Ministry of Health, urged parents not to sympathize with the children but raise them like every other regular child.
They also urged parents to help the children eat balanced diets, encourage them lead a healthy life style, as well as, expose them to opportunities that would help them develop in different crafts.
The highpoint of the celebration with the theme, “Helping Special Needs to Live a Healthy and Fulfilled lives, was the cutting of cake and a group photograph.