Gladys Sams-Sedi
By Dominic Nwobodo & Michelle Momoh
The term ‘orphan’ as defined by www.merriam-webster.com, refers to a child who has been deprived of one or, in many cases, both parents. In a broader sense, an orphan is a child without parents or guardian. An orphan is someone whose parents have been legally declared deceased, with no legal adoptive or step-parents in place. A maternal orphan is a child who has lost their mother, a paternal orphan is one who has lost their father, and a double orphan is a child, teenager, or infant who has lost both parents.
The concept of orphanages emerged in the 1570s, while the Romans established their own orphanages around 400 AD. The first orphanage in the United States was established in 1729 to provide care for white children who had become orphaned due to conflicts between Native Americans and Europeans in Natchez, Mississippi.
Late Favour Omogbai
While the family unit headed by parents represents the smallest and most fundamental structure within society, it ensures that a child consistently receives care throughout their primary and secondary stages of life. This fundamental care allows children to grow into responsible and mentally healthy individuals as they progress through subsequent stages of life.
Gladys Adesuwa Sams-Sedi, who works with First Spring Insurance Brokers, has taken a bold step in establishing a home for children facing challenges as a tribute to the memory of her beloved daughter and second child, Favour Agbodesi Ochuware Sophia Oshoayemhe Omogbai, who tragically lost her battle with cancer on March 8, 2017.
While alive, Favour possessed a firm passion for caring for children. She directed her mother’s resources towards instilling hope in their lives, and until her final day on this earth, Favour remained deeply concerned about their well-being. Her Mother, Gladys could not live an ordinary life without upholding the principles her daughter held dear; thus, she has chosen to devote her life to being a caregiver.
Having previously operated informally within her Lagos home, Gladys realized that the broader society should join her efforts in establishing an official orphanage – a standardized care center that offers maternal nurturing, counseling, and education to homeless children.
Despite facing financial constraints, the love Favour shared has served as the driving force behind Gladys’s endeavor. However, there are additional challenges such as procuring necessary stationery and meeting the daily kitchen requirements for the home’s operations, necessitating the support of well-intentioned Nigerians both within the country and abroad.
In spite of the apparent benefits of running an orphanage, some establishments of this nature struggle with providing sufficient food, meeting the basic nutritional needs of the children, ensuring adequate clothing, healthcare, and suitable accommodation.
The absence of these essential provisions can lead to violence among the orphans, instances of abuse, and neglect. The long-term effects encompass a range of challenges, including cognitive and physical developmental deficiencies, speech difficulties, delays in language acquisition, issues with sensory integration, poor academic performance, and a lack of familial bonds.
Gladys earnestly appeals to her friends, loved ones, compassionate Nigerians, and the government to support her in perpetuating her daughter’s legacy of making every child’s life beautiful.
