ASABA – The First Lady of Delta State and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has extended the Foundation’s free medical and humanitarian outreach to riverine communities in Burutu Federal Constituency.
The second phase of the Foundation’s medical outreach programme was held on Thursday at Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area, where hundreds of residents, including children with autism and other special needs, caregivers and elderly persons, received free medical consultations, health screenings, medications and other forms of assistance.
A major highlight of the outreach was the donation of 21 wheelchairs to persons living with mobility challenges. About 90 per cent of the wheelchairs went to adults, while the remaining 10 per cent were presented to children.
Children living with autism and other developmental conditions were also provided with physiotherapy toys and assistive educational devices to support their learning, development and rehabilitation.
In addition, the Foundation distributed 120 bags of rice to vulnerable households within the constituency.
One of the most emotional moments of the programme came when the First Lady approved ₦5 million to support the hip replacement surgery of 27-year-old Ombe Egbaseimokumo, who had appealed for financial assistance.
After hearing her plea, Deaconess Oborevwori assured her of the Foundation’s support, promising that the approved funds would be made available for the procedure.
Speaking to beneficiaries, the First Lady explained that the outreach was designed to go beyond conventional medical intervention, stressing that it was also aimed at promoting inclusion, creating awareness and addressing the stigma associated with autism and other special needs.
She described children living with autism and developmental conditions as special gifts who deserve love, acceptance, care and equal opportunities to thrive.
According to her, Burutu Federal Constituency is the fifth federal constituency to benefit from the You Matter Charity Foundation’s medical and humanitarian intervention, following similar outreaches in Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie, Ethiope, Ughelli/Udu and Isoko Federal Constituencies.
She disclosed that more than 520 children, alongside their caregivers and elderly persons, had so far benefited from the Foundation’s interventions across Delta State.
The First Lady appealed to government agencies, healthcare professionals, development partners, corporate organisations and well-meaning Deltans to support the Foundation’s humanitarian programmes so that more vulnerable persons could benefit.
She also encouraged parents and caregivers of children with special needs not to give up, urging them to seek early medical intervention and educational support where necessary.
Deaconess Oborevwori condemned the use of derogatory names and labels against children living with autism, stressing that discrimination and stigmatisation should have no place in society.
She urged families and communities to embrace such children with compassion, dignity and understanding.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area, Julius Takeme, commended the First Lady for taking the outreach to the riverine communities, describing the You Matter Charity Foundation as a genuine humanitarian initiative that was making a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable residents.
Takeme called on individuals, corporate organisations and development partners to collaborate with the Foundation to expand its humanitarian interventions to more communities across the state.
The outreach attracted healthcare professionals, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents from various communities in Burutu Federal Constituency, many of whom expressed appreciation for the intervention.