AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Scores of less privileged children hosted by Smile Givers Charity Initiative on Wednesday, December 21 were in celebration mood at the SGCI ‘Christmas Gracia 2022’ held at the Living Faith Gospel Church, Fagbewesa, Osogbo, Osun State.
Smile Givers Charity Initiative whose mandate is to reach out to the underprivileged children to put a smile on their faces organizes various programmes to touch the children of the poor in a bid to win them to Christ and give them basic lease of life.
An official of Smile Givers Charity Initiative, named Mrs Zita Adebayo, while speaking on behalf of Mrs Adetutu Adegunju, Founder of SGCI, said that “As usual, Smile Givers Charity Initiative organizes series of programmes to give hope to the less privileged children. This time around, we collaborate with the Living Faith Christian Gospel Assembly, Osogbo in Osun State to make the children know more about God and have a feel of Christmas.
Many of the children in attendance on the occasion lauded the initiative of the non governmental organization, saying it made the season very exciting for them.
Praise Odeniran, aged 10, student of Love and Faith Model College, Osogbo, said that the programme was announced sometimes ago at the church. “I am happy about this programme. I had been attending events like this before. I say thank you to Smile Givers Charity Initiative,” she said.
Fourteen-year-old Joy Nnadiekiwe, an SS2 student of Agbaran School of Science, while expressing her joy on the occasion, urged spirited individuals and organisations to emulate Smile Givers Charity Initiative by investing in children. “This kind of things make children to be happy. They will be eager to attend this type of programmes.”
Ayomide Afolayan, 14, a student of Christ Apostolic Church, Gbodofan, Aregbe area, Osogbo, who disclosed that he had never attended a children Christmas party before, however said that he had met Santa Claus in the previous years. He said, “I want this kind of programme to continue.”
Mrs Zita Adebayo, said, “It is not the first time that our organization is having this kind of programme. The essence is to reach out to the less privileged. Also, we used it as a means of catching the children young for Christ.
“The turn out is massive and we want to appreciate God for it. This programme was held outside Oyo State where we are based but you will see that it is very successful. The secret of the success is unity. My advice to parents is to make this period a memorable one for the children. The parents should do the best they can for the children to be happy. Although things are a bit hard, but no matter how small, they should learn to put smiles on the children’s faces.
“Our target is to win the children for Christ and also to Make them believe that there is hope despite the situation they find themselves in. That is why everytime we reach out to make sure that we put a smile on their faces.”
An Assistant Pastor in the church, Hamzat Joshua Olayemi, said, “We thank God for the way the children turned out. We believe that Christmas is about sharing love with people, especially the needy. No matter how little we have, just make other people smile. It is about showing love to people and letting them know who Christ is, to bring joy where there is no joy. That is what Christ stands for.”
Going down memory lane, Rev. DO Adebayo of Living Faith Christian Gospel Assembly recalled that the programme had been holding for years. “The Smile Givers Charity Initiative has come to Osogbo twice celebrating with the children. They assist children, sent children whose parents are less privileged to school. They assist in paying hospital bills of parents of some of the students.
“The programme was to start by 9am and by that time, this place was filled with the children,” she said.
The children had nice time meeting with Father Christmas. They got food and various other gifts after watching Christian drama, dance drama and songs.
