EAGAS Global Charity Foundation (EGCF) commenced in 2003 as a response to support Women Living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. At that time, government distributed food supplements such as rice and beans to Persons Living With HIV and AIDS at their Monthly meetings.
Children often came clutching the wrappers of their mothers quite a number of them already widowed by the ravaging AIDS pandemic. Not much was known about the disease. Those infected were seen as being very promiscuous. There was no sympathy nor empathy for the effected nor affected and stigma was rift. Stories about the HIV pandemic condemned rather than enlightened. Moreover, women were mainly seen as vectors.
It was at this stage in Nigeria's history of the epidemic that women infected decided to take their destinies in their own hands and chart their own pathos survival. They launched the Association for Women Living With AIDS. During the formal launching ceremony, Augusta Akparanta-Emenogu, who had been actively reporting the HIV pandemic locally and internationally whispered to Special Guest of honor at the occasion, Lydia Ogunmola that she would like to host some of the children who had been coming with their mothers or care givers to the positive people's meetings without receiving any refreshment.
Lydia insisted on hosting ALL and NOT some of the children, She stayed awake to make pasteries and bought cookies, which she distributed to the children. This was how the Annual unfair for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) was borne in 2003. Today, the event continues in the absence of Lydia and Hannatu Ardo, another ardent supporter of the program. From hosting about 20 children at the maiden edition, over 200 OVCs are hosted annual to provide psycho-social support to these less privileged orphans.
The annual event provides a platform to interact with the children, track their progress and find out their needs. The children look forward to the event for relaxation and interacting with their peers.
Since 2003, with support from our sponsors we have been able to support some the orphans to finish secondary school, pay and sit for fees the West African School Certificate Exams. Some very hard-working ones have moved on to gain admission in institutions of higher learning.
Along the line, we have been able to secure the constant and continuous support of friends and colleagues too numerous to mention.
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