MASTER Ayodele Emmanuel Michael
Mrs Michael was our first beneficiary. Her reality made us realise the enormity of the task before us, including the heart-breaking fact that many of the women in our pilot state were living in conditions unfit for humans talk more of pregnant women. A subsistence farmer who worked alongside her husband; yet received little to no emotional and sufficient financial support from him. She was 20 weeks gone when she became a beneficiary of the Foundation.
Our preliminary investigations were disturbing as we discovered that despite her condition and history of miscarriages, she was involved in the strenuous tasks involved with subsistence farming. Similarly, she shares a one-room apartment with her husband’s other wife and four other children. We were also appalled by reports that she had been subjected to physical and emotional abuse. We arranged counselling for her and her husband.
In line with our needs-based approach for our beneficiaries, we took care of her medical bills, bought her maternity care items, and provided food items till she gave birth. She gave birth to a baby boy!
Earlier this year, we organised a surprise birthday party for her son!
Christening, known colloquially in many communities in Nigeria as “Naming Ceremony” is an important part of the pregnancy-childbirth cycle, it is the first time that the child is formally introduced to the larger family and friends. In many cultures, the child receives their name during this event. Naming Ceremony is a celebratory rite and our program officers are always on hand to celebrate with the family. Here are pictures from Master Ayodele Emmanuel Michael’s christening.
“Victoria’s Smile Foundation found me when I was four months pregnant. I had lost two pregnancies, I was severely malnourished and overworked. They took care of me; gave me food, paid for my medical bills, listened to all my fears and allayed them. They bought everything I needed to ease labour and delivery. It is because of them that I have this baby to hold. I don’t know how else to thank them but I am forever grateful.”
MRS ELIZABETH MICHAEL
Emiloro, Ondo, Nigeria
Mrs Michael was our first beneficiary. Her reality made us realise the enormity of the task before us, including the heart-breaking fact that many of the women in our pilot state were living in conditions unfit for humans talk more of pregnant women. A subsistence farmer who worked alongside her husband; yet received little to no emotional and sufficient financial support from him. She was 20 weeks gone when she became a beneficiary of the Foundation.
Our preliminary investigations were disturbing as we discovered that despite her condition and history of miscarriages, she was involved in the strenuous tasks involved with subsistence farming. Similarly, she shares a one-room apartment with her husband’s other wife and four other children. We were also appalled by reports that she had been subjected to physical and emotional abuse. We arranged counselling for her and her husband.
In line with our needs-based approach for our beneficiaries, we took care of her medical bills, bought her maternity care items, and provided food items till she gave birth. She gave birth to a baby boy!
Earlier this year, we organised a surprise birthday party for her son!
Christening, known colloquially in many communities in Nigeria as “Naming Ceremony” is an important part of the pregnancy-childbirth cycle, it is the first time that the child is formally introduced to the larger family and friends. In many cultures, the child receives their name during this event. Naming Ceremony is a celebratory rite and our program officers are always on hand to celebrate with the family. Here are pictures from Master Ayodele Emmanuel Michael’s christening.
“Victoria’s Smile Foundation found me when I was four months pregnant. I had lost two pregnancies, I was severely malnourished and overworked. They took care of me; gave me food, paid for my medical bills, listened to all my fears and allayed them. They bought everything I needed to ease labour and delivery. It is because of them that I have this baby to hold. I don’t know how else to thank them but I am forever grateful.”
MRS ELIZABETH MICHAEL
Emiloro, Ondo, Nigeria
