By Shadrach OKON

It was a fun-filled day and a memorable experience for children in Akwa Ibom State, when Unique Care Precious Foundation treated over five hundred children to a Christmas Party in Uyo.

The Children’s Christmas Party organized by Unique Precious Care Foundation founded by Pastor (Mrs) Florence Umana  is a yearly all- inclusive Christmas Party where the foundation gathers  children from all socioeconomic backgrounds as well as children from orphanage homes across the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State to fest and celebrate the birth of Christ together.

Earlier in her address, Mrs Florence Umana, the Chairman of Unique Precious Care Foundation noted that the Children’s Christmas Party celebration comes with back -to- school empowerment programme for children to ease their transition back to school. Mrs Umana who described education as the cornerstone of  the foundation’s empowerment programmme noted that the empowerment would provide children with the  needed resources and encouragement to thrive in their academics.

Hear her: “It is with great joy and gratitude that I welcome you all to this year’s Children Christmas Party and back to school empowerment programme organized by Unique Precious Care Foundation. Today we gather here not just to celebrate the festive season but to renew or commitment to empowering the most vulnerable members of our society, our women, children, youths and persons with disabilities. “”At the help of our foundation lies a vision of hope, equality and opportunity. We believe that every child deserves the right to dream and to achieve their full potential. Today ‘s event is a testament to that vision.  Beyond the joy and laughter of the Christmas season, we aimed to ease the transition back to school for many of these children by providing them with the resources and the encouragement they need to thrive. Education is the cornerstone of our empowerment and we are committed to breaking barriers that stand in the way of their success,”  she  added.

 The organizers of the Unique Precious Care Foundation who celebrated and empowered the children with educational materials like exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, launch packs and school bags used the opportunity to thank Mr Umana Okon Umana and other partners, and volunteers for partnering with the foundation to make a tangible difference in the lives of the children.

Mrs Florence Umana listed other partners of the foundation to include: Dr.Kaphnie Umana, Engineer Anietie Umana, Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu,  Dr. Magnus Ikezie, Engineer Ubong Ubiam, Mrs Dorathy Ubiam, Mr Ini Ubiam and Mrs Iniobong Ita Udosen.

In her goodwill message, Mrs Inemesit Enobong Uwah Phd,  wife of the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government who is a patron of the foundation thanked Unique Precious Care Foundation for demonstrating the love of Christ to the children through her foundation. Dr. Inemesit Uwah who promised to support the foundation urged others in the society to model the foundation’s initiative reaching out to the needy within their reach.

Earlier in his speech, the Project Manager of the Unique Precious Care Foundation Dr. Emem Wills, revealed that the foundation is focused on  providing support to women, children, youths and under privilege people in Nigeria and beyond; by creating lasting change through improvement in educational come, enhancing health care services and promoting economic sufficiency through targeted programmes and partnership. He hinted that in 2025, the foundation will reach out to schools and hospitals to ensure that children, youths and women have access to quality education and health care delivery.

Some  parents and care givers from the orphanage homes who brought their children to the Christmas Party, who could not hide their joy also expressed their sentiments concerning the event.

One of them, Rev. Sister Prudentsia Ahanonu of Holy Family Sisters of the Needy, Ikpe Ikot Nkon, had this to say:  “This event is so significant in the sense that we have children from all works of life coming together to celebrate and share one common gold which is love and sharing as we have had since morning we came here. The children have had fun since we came here. You should understand what it means coming from a place like Ikpe Ikot Nkon where nothing like event happen. My kids are happy and are excited to be here to share and celebrate with their fellow children from different areas in Akwa Ibom State. Last year were here, this year we are here again.”

” I pray that God who has given our mother Mrs Florence Umana and her foundation the love to organize this kind of outreach to the children. May the goal of this foundation continue to increase from strength to strength. To our adorable mother, mummy Mrs Florence Umana, we pray that God will continue to bless her. “

According to Mrs Arit Inyang, one of the mothers who brought her children to the Christmas party, the party was an all- inclusive event and an ausome experience for children.

“One thing that stood out for me in this event today is that it was all inclusive, I saw children brought from three orphanage homes in the state. They were all inclusive, there is no segregation. Everybody was given a T shirt, so it’s like everybody been together. My own children and the children coming from the orphanage homes were treated the same. Even the gifts given to them, they were all treated equally.  As you can see the children are feeling very excited. The number of children that we have here is about five hundred of them. This is awesome!” Mrs Arit Inyang said.

High point of the Christmas Party was when Mrs Florence Umana, flanked by Mrs Inemesit Enobong Uwah took to the dance floor with the children who were beautiful dressed with T-shirts of various colours and Christmas hats which the foundation provided for over five hundred children who attended the party.

The Children Christmas Party which took place at the home of Mrs Florence Umana in Ewet Housing Estate Uyo, also featured presentations by children from the three orphanage homes who were: Mother Charles Walker Children’s Home Uyo,  Motherless Babies Home, Mkpok Onna and Holy Family Sisters of the Needy, Ikpe Ikot Nkon.