The Women of Zion Fellowship of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Gloryland Parish Maitama Abuja, on Saturday 6th October, 2018 visited the Vine Heritage Home, Kiyi, in KujeArea council of the Federal Capital Territory to identify with and fellowship with children in the Home. The children were victims of inhuman traditional beliefs and culture of somecommunities within the Federal Capital territory especially among the Gbasa Komo tribes.
It is the ancient tradition of the Gbasa Komos to kill children born as twins or triplets, the albinos, those born with any form of physical deformity such as cleft lips, cerebral palsy etc and any child whose mother dies during delivery or while still breastfeeding.
It is abominable to let all children in this category to live among the tribe. They are killed by their parents or the community. Some of the villages still involved in this practice include the Kpago, Gulida Bargada etc in Abaji; the Awana, Makana, Deshi etc in AMAC; the Tsohon Kaida, Dako Dawaki etc in GWAGWALADA; the Kulo, Kiyi Ganasara, Kiyi Basa, Gaube1, Buga in Kuje and the Dogon Ruwa, Gomani Fuka etc in Kwali.
When a missionary, Mr Sola Stephen and his wife visited the community and observed the high rate of infanticide, he decided to intervene to spare the lives of the innocent children. He tries to rescue the children from the claws of death and step in to provide parental care to these children. He then established the Vine Heritage home in 2004.
As at date, there are 153 children in the Home and one of them is already in a higher institution. He said it is herculean task fending for these children but God has always provided for their needs miraculously. For example, he said there are 30 babies that feed on milk daily. In September 2018, he has the school fees bill of 98 children in addition to providing books and uniform amounting to N3.2million.
The monthly feeding bill for the children stands at N1.3 million. There are 27 workers (nannies) on N10,000 monthly salary in addition to a driver and a security personnel. The home has 14 rooms which is grossly inadequate. He said there is an urgent need for an additional 12 rooms as the children are growing, they need biggeraccommodation.
It is in the realization of this great need that the RCCG women in Gloryland Parish Maitama, led by the wife of the Pastor-in-charge of Gloryland Area, Deaconess (Mrs) Uren Etim visited tosupport the work of God in the Vine Heritage Home. Deaconess Etim said that women meet once in a month to pray for their homes especially for their partners and children but decided to not only pray, but identify and provide for children who are in need.
Mrs Etim presented cash gift, food stuff, toiletries etc to the Home on behalf of the women. Pastor in charge of Gloryland Area, Pastor Akanimo Etim commended the initiative by the women fellowship and called on all well meaning individuals and non-governmental organizations to support the rescue project of the Vine Heritage Homes.
Responding, the Visionnaire of the Home Mr Stephens thanked the church for the gesture and expressed gratitude to God who always meets their needs on time.
On the possibility of giving out the children for adoption, he said none of the children will be adopted because they are hopeful, that in future, their parents will repent, have a change of mind and come over to take the children home. He said three of the children have so far been restored to their parents, with firm commitment that the children will be safe in the families. He also stated that the Federal Capital Territory Authorities have been duly informed about the home and their activities.
