A non-governmental organisation, Baytur Rahmah Foundation has put smiles on the faces of eighteen (18) orphans by disbursing a sum of one million five hundred thousand naira (N1,500,000.00) as educational support.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and board member of the Foundation, Hajia Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade made the disclosure at the maiden edition of the annual new session event, held today, August 29, at Assiddiq Schools, Lagos.
She said, “Today, we will give cheques and make transfers to schools to pay for the first term 2023/24 session fees as well as school supplies. A sum of over One Million five hundred thousand Naira (N1,500,000.00) will be disbursed before the year 2023 runs out in shaa Allah.”
Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade revealed that the Foundation was established to provide a platform for sourcing and coordinating funds for education of orphans for a peaceful and healthy coexistence while prioritizing accountability and functionality.
She noted that Baytur Rahmah has been a dream to further the course of rewriting and changing the narratives of Muslim children who have lost their breadwinners and thereafter dropped out of school to become undesirable elements in the society.
According to her, The journey started about 12 years ago with four (4) orphans. It became officially birthed and registered with the CAC in 2021. At the event today, we are providing education relief for 18 orphans. Presently, we have two (2) pre-nursery pupils, two (2) Basic pupils, eight (8) secondary students, one (1) awaiting university admission and five (5) in universities across Nigeria.
“AlhamduliLlah! Our existence is to provide a platform for sourcing and coordinating of funds for the education of orphans for a peaceful and healthy coexistence while prioritizing accountability and functionality.
“Meeting educational needs of children in this category was found to be the toughest of challenges facing their mothers or guardians once the fathers pass on. Thus, facilitating financial and educational support for orphans is the way out of the poverty that threatens their access to quality adult life eventually or even their very existence as it were.”
The CEO stated that the initiative couldn’t have been successful without the unflinching support of men and women of goodwill who make regular subscriptions (on monthly, termly, or annual basis) for the education and welfare of the orphans.
She said the society will suffer for neglecting orphans eventually, thereby calling on all and sundry to join hands with the Foundation to ensure that orphans remain in school to get the requisite education for self actualisation and sustainable development for the country.
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seek to ensure that no child is left behind. Not capturing the education of orphans would leave a large chunk behind and even the rich will not be able to move freely nor sleep with their two eyes closed,” she noted.
She appreciated the donors and sponsors and further sought for continuous financial support to see the children through school and ensure their welfare.
“We appreciate our donors and sponsors. Some we know, some we don’t. Certainly, Allah (SWT) knows you all. We seek continuous financial support and sponsorship to see the children through school and ensure their welfare. Please, support us as much as you can and as regularly too. This is the only way to achieve our objective to facilitate the well-being of Muslim orphans from childhood through adulthood. It is your own sodaqotun jaariyah (flowing charity).
Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade urged the beneficiaries to shun all forms of distraction and strive for excellence in their studies, saying that sponsors will be encouraged to continue when they are high achievers.
“At this point, I want to give you, the mothers, our goodwill and let you know that Allah (SWT) who took the fathers to Himself has not made an error. Allah does not make mistakes no matter how little. Allah knows best, and He alone is the Sustainer.”
Guest speaker, Hajia Bilqees Abiola Abdullah congratulated the brains behind the formation of the Foundation, saying it’s a laudable project.
She said, “Whoever wishes to meet Allah and be with Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in paradise should take care of orphans. I congratulate the CEO of Baytur Rahman for the initiative. We’ve been part of it from inception and I’m happy to be here today. It’s a very laudable project.
During her lecture which centered on parenting, Hajia Abdullah said the roles of parents in building a functional society cannot be over-emphasised.
According to her, “A lot about the society rests on the shoulders of parents. Whatever the society becomes is what the home has become. So, if the parents are performing their duties right, we’ll have a better society. Training the child in the line of faith, to be intellectually sound, to have good characters, among others, are the attributes that mould a great society.”
Hajia Bilqees Abdullah described children as gifts bestowed from God.
“This same gifts have trials and they can come in phases. One needs to go through pregnancy, endure the pains of childbirth, nurture the children and handle the harsh realities of raising children as single parents. But, the trials will be forever if we don’t do what Allah wants us to do,” she said
Speaking on single parents, she encouraged them not to give up, saying that Allah will not give them burdens too much for their souls to bear.
“Let us train them the proper way and not spoil them because they are fatherless,”
Another beneficiary, who is a 200-level student of Islamic studies, Abdul Sobur AbdulFattah expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the foundation for sponsoring him for twelve years, from primary school to university level.
“They are still sponsoring me and whenever I call the CEO, she is always attending to my needs. She is a nice woman,” he added.
