DECEMBER 2022 UPDATE

ORPHANAGES UPDATE

New Admissions

We had a total of 8 new arrivals (7 in MoM Otutulu and 1 in MoM Lokoja) for the month of December 2022. Six of them are newborns while the other two were some months old before they were brought.

A set of twin babies, Nana (twin1)and Munira(twin2) arrived MoM Otutulu on December 03, 2022. Their weights on Admission were twin 1. 95kg, Twin 2. 1.6kg respectively. Cause of mother's death: complication in C/S surgical procedures. Duration of stay: The children are to stay at MoM Orphanage Otutulu for two years.

On December 08, 2022 a set of twins, Hassana(twin 1) and Hussena(twin2) were received in MoM Otutulu. Weight on Admission: Hassana =2.50kg and Husseina = 1.55kg. Cause of mother's death: Bleeding after childbirth. The babies are to be here for two years.

 Glory was 8 months old when she was brought to us on December 08, 2022. Weight on Admission: 4.6kg. Cause of mother's death:   according to reports obtained from the family, the mother died of food poisoning.

Tijani was brought to MoM Orphanage Otutulu as a result of the death of his mother which occurred two months after his birth as a result of an unknown illness. Baby Tijani is to be under the custody of Ministry of Mercy for a period of two year after which he is to be reunited with his family.

Baby Alibesiru was brought to Mom Orphanage Otutulu on December 07, 2022 after the demise of her mother in childbearing. Weight on Arrival: 2.50kg. He is to be cared for, for a period of two years.

Baby Dorcas was brought to MoM orphanage Lokoja in the early hours of December 22, 2022, having lost her mother in the process of her birth. She is to be kept and cared for, for a period of two years, after which she should be reunited with her family.

Handing Over

Eight children/adults were handed over to their families in December 2022 after completing their stay with us. Most of them have become adults, so their departure was quite emotional for us because the only home they have known all their lives has been our Orphanage. We will miss them dearly…

 Achimugu was born in 2004 and brought to MoM Orphanage Otutulu for his upkeep following the death of his birth mother immediately after his birth. He was handed over to his biological father and uncle on December 17, 2022.

 Kari was born in 2004. Handed over on December 17, 2022.

Ruth was brought to MoM Orphanage Otutulu following the death of her mother immediately after her birth in 2004. She was handed over on December 17, 2022.

Julius was born in 2004 and he was handed over on December 17, 2022.

Pearl was born in 2004 and was brought to MoM Otutulu for her care and upbringing as a result of the death of her birth mother. She was  handed over on December 17, 2004.

Marina was born in 2004 and brought to Mom Otutulu to be cared for. She was handed over on December 17, 2022. She is currently in her first year in Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.

Hassana and Hussena, twin girls, born in 2020 and were brought to MoM Orphanage, Lokoja on April 09, 2021 following the death of their mother. Their family came to solicit help of MoM orphanage with a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (MWASD) asking MoM to keep custody of them for two years. They were handed over on December 19, 2023 with the presence of an official of MWASD, Lokoja.

The group photos of those children with our Orphanage mothers and Daddy Daniel Edeh.

MEDICAL CLINIC UPDATE

The month’s update on our mission hospital is presented along the paths of the three main domains of the hospital’s activities – General healthcare, Charity and the Gospel. We have the following few selected stories from each area.

CHARITY HEALTH SERVICES:

Several medical services were provided to many patients for free or at assisted cost during the month. Most of these services have to do with maternal and child health cases. Eight women had child deliveries virtually free of charge within the month; two of these were highly- subsidized cesarean sections. This is in addition to several orphans who also had medical services free of charge.

GENERAL HEALTH CARE:

Here we have a few selected stories:

M.J is a 6-year-old boy with a huge scrotal swelling. Was diagnosed with Hydrocele. He had a successful Hydrocelectomy. He is doing well.

 M.E. is a 3-year-old daughter of the hospital Admin officer who presented with features of bilateral inguinal hernia. She had a successful herniotomy and transfixation of the sacs. She is doing well.

REPORT FROM MoM Clinic Outlet in Otutulu Village:

 One of the newly arrived children in the month of December, Kebiru Alibesiru was diagnosed with a neonatal infection of the umbilical stump by one of our volunteer medical officers who also prescribed drugs treatments for him. Then the health workers at MOM Orphanage Otutulu administered the treatments. The baby has recovered.

One of our mothers and a senior nanny at MOM Orphanage Otutulu, was on admission at MOMMC Lokoja for about 8 months during which she went through surgical procedures two consecutive times. She was discharged home and has since been regaining her health and strength.

A lot of our children suffered from diarrhea in the month of December, but we thank God they are now recovered.

We are still battling skin problems (scabies) among a few of our children, as the case is gradually put under control.

THE GOSPEL

Gospel activities are ongoing in the Medical Center, targeted at patients and relatives. In the absence of a substantive chaplain, the activities are being coordinated by some of our medical staff for now. The gospel continues to be shared among our patients and their caregivers through various avenues - Morning devotion sessions and ward evangelism.

FARM UPDATE

The Poultry - The layer chickens are almost mature but have not started laying eggs yet.

The Piggery - Some of the pigs are heavily pregnant.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY UPDATE

The school’s academic program for the first term was closed on December 16, 2022. The end-of-term examination began on December 02, 2022. And after the whole exams, the collection of results and a meeting of the parents-teachers association was held on the 16th of December.

PTA (Parents Teachers Association) meeting held on December 16, 2022, where vital issues that relate to the school, Teachers, students and parents were discussed.

The school was closed and students have gone on Christmas break, to resume back to school on Monday, January 09, 2023. The teachers and all the teaching staff will resume on Thursday January 05, 2023.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1.     Thank God for His daily goodness and mercy towards everyone in our orphanages, schools, farms and the Medical Center.

2.     Thank HIM for every provision from HIM through various means.

3.     Thank God for successful childbirth and other healthcare services achieved at the MoM Medical Center.

4.     Please pray for our 8 orphans who have been handed back to their families. Most of them are already older teenagers going to start new lives. May their exit from the orphanage usher them into the appropriate paths in life. May the Lord order their steps aright for the rest of their lives.

5.     Pray for the 7 new orphans admitted within the month, that God will raise them and provide for their physical and spiritual needs.

6.     Thank God for the success of our farming activities – cropping, fishery, poultry and fishery. We pray that God will continue to grant increase.

7.     Please keep praying for financial supplies for the monthly staff salaries of our caregivers, our teachers as well as our medical staff/health workers. May God strengthen the hands and hearts of supporters.

8.     Pray that the Lord continues to add more souls steadily from our Sunday school classes, the services of the Ministry of Mercy Medical Centre as well as the Ministry of Mercy Christian Academy and our various programs.

 Thank you for your invaluable continuous partnership in prayers, thanksgiving and giving.

 Sincerely yours,

 Dr. ODIBA Friday, For the Publicity Unit,

Ministry of Mercy, Nigeria.

Ministry of Mercy…, Love finds a way. 1 Cor. 13:7