Lagos orphanage records 378 adoptions in 32 years

No fewer than 378 abandoned and orphaned children have been adopted from the Little Saints Orphanage in Lagos over the past 32 years, with 40 of them finding homes abroad.

Founder of the orphanage, Mrs Christiana George, disclosed this on Sunday during the triple celebration of the orphanage’s 32nd anniversary, her 70th birthday and the unveiling of her book, Call to Love, held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos.

George said the orphanage, which she described as the first indigenous orphanage approved by the Lagos State Government in 1994, had rescued hundreds of abused, abandoned and vulnerable children, many of whom have gone on to become successful professionals in Nigeria and overseas.

“Our first adopted child is in the United States today. In the last 32 years, 378 children have left this orphanage through adoption, and 40 of them were adopted abroad,” she said.

She explained that the orphanage initially struggled with the idea of adoption but later embraced it after obtaining approval from the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

“I was initially pessimistic about adoption. But I prayed and obeyed the call. We went to the ministry to obtain approval, and adoption became part of our mission,” she said.

According to George, adoption was initially met with scepticism by many Nigerians who questioned the background and health status of abandoned children.

“We went from church to church telling people that adoption is an act of love. Gradually, confidence grew, and many couples embraced it. Some of those couples later had biological children after adopting,” she said.

She recalled that in the orphanage’s early years, more than 50 abandoned babies were brought to the facility within two years, creating enormous financial pressure.

“In those days, tins of milk were consumed every three days. I wondered how we would continue to feed all the babies until God impressed it upon me that the children were not meant to remain with us but to be adopted into loving families,” she said.

George narrated some of the traumatic experiences of children rescued by the home, including cases of severe abuse.

“We had a child whose biological father burnt her leg as punishment. Another child’s mother attempted to slit the baby’s throat.

“We rescued another baby who had been wrapped in a nylon bag and abandoned beside a refuse dump because the mother could no longer care for the child.

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“We thank God that those children are alive today and making remarkable progress,” she said.

She said the orphanage’s rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration programmes had enabled dozens of former residents to graduate from universities and establish successful careers both within and outside Nigeria.

George also expressed satisfaction that more orphanages had emerged across Lagos over the years to complement government efforts in caring for vulnerable children.

“When we started, there were very few private orphanages. Today, there are more than 70 orphanages in Lagos. That means no child should have to live on the streets,” she said.

She urged Nigerians to report abandoned or abused children to the police or the Ministry of Youth and Social Development instead of ignoring their plight.

“If you see a child suffering on the streets, don’t look away. Take the child to the nearest police station or alert the ministry so the child can be rescued and properly cared for,” she appealed.

George also paid tribute to her husband, family members, donors and other supporters whose contributions, she said, had sustained the orphanage’s operations over the past three decades.

The event also featured the unveiling of George’s memoir, “Call to Love,” which chronicles her journey into humanitarian service and the establishment of the orphanage.

Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu asserted the state’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Social Development, Lekan Oba, the governor praised the Little Saints Orphanage for embracing the fact that government alone cannot ensure children’s welfare.

He said the orphanage, for the last 32 years, has strengthened advocacy that no child should be left behind in leading a good life.

Book reviewer Dr Eugene Okorocha noted that the 128-page book chronicled a 32-year journey spurred by a vision to make society better.

The event had in attendance the Founder of the International Women Prayer Conference, Bishop Peace Okonkwo; Vice President, Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria, Mr Gabriel Oyedeji; Dr Adesuwa Sodipo, the celebrant’s longtime friend, who received a distinction award.