It’s that season of the year when giving to people and causes dear to us is at all-time high. Christians celebrate Christmas, a remembrance of the birth of Christ while for everybody everywhere a week later on January 1, it’s a new year which is big among people of every faith .
L-R: Dr. Depo Adenle, Tola Adenle, Revd. Sisters Mary & Esther at Ipetumodu, November 2011
A big part of this season for Christians and non-Christians alike is giving to family members and friends everywhere, and in many societies, giving to Causes. Nigeria has always had some names known for giving to causes not just at Christmas but I’m not talking about the politician/”philanthropists” whose Giving is mostly from the common wealth by way of the so-called Constituency Votes.
I know that all – or, at least, most readers of this Blog are the type that pursue social activism in various ways, and Giving-weariness (!) could set in, especially at this time with families and friends demanding of our resources. What is more, the economic downturn has not spared any part of the world and not even the rich the world over. For those of us who manage to plod along in these difficult times, it is a difficult request to grant.
Despite all these, there are always people who are worse off than us even as there are Causes that tug at our hearts to spare just a little as we grapple with belt-tightening that now seems the lot of most not only in places like corruption-ridden African countries among which Nigeria is a real GIANT but in many places around the world. It is amazing how great things can happen from so little when contributed to by very many people.
When Dr. Adenle and I visited the maternity hospital recently, the two Reverend Sisters were very enthusiastic about showing what Giving – though not all through this Blog – has yielded: a functional borehole that serves the whole hospital, a Blood Bank and some laboratory equipment
I hope you will give to this Cause by sending your donation, no matter how small, DIRECTLYto either the Daughters of the Spirit at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hospital & Maternity, P.O. Box 66, Ipetumodu, Osun State, Nigeria OR to the StandUp2Cancer. You should forward your donations directly: wire transfer, Western Union, cheques/checks, etcetera. The telephone number to call for further enquiries: Revd. Sister Ayeni, 0805, 340-5658.
Right now, the StandUp2Cancer website section for activity involvement is close for activities as a new one is being designed but do not let that stop you from giving to the race to find cancer cure. As mentioned in my July solicitation essay, you can also give to research in Nigeria or visit http://www.standup2cancer.org/ where you will find how to give cash directly, especially those who live abroad. If you do contribute, please let me know so that we can keep a record. Those who have given so far will not want their identities disclosed but I do keep a record and say a big ‘thank you’ to all of them.
My goal? I’d rather keep it to myself so that readers can give as much or as little as they are able to squeeze in!
Here’s wishing the thousands who have made emotanafricana.com, perhaps the blog with the most varied topics, one of the most-visited Blogs out of Nigeria, and definitely the hottest blog by any near-Septuagenarian anywhere in the world (pardon my being the one to say so!) – the merriest of Christmases ever and a wonderful 2012!
Tola Adenle, December 5, 2011.