Supporting Orphaned Children and a Struggling Mother in Lafia
Volunteer: Celestina
At the Empowered Servants Global Initiative (ESGI), we believe that compassion begins with obedience. Sometimes, God places a burden on our hearts that refuses to fade until we respond. When we choose to act in faith, lives are touched, hope is restored, and people are reminded that they have not been forgotten.
This week’s outreach from Lafia is a beautiful example of what happens when one person responds to a persistent prompting to help those who are most vulnerable.
A Burden That Would Not Go Away
The volunteer shared that for several weeks she had carried a strong burden in her heart to reach out to children who had lost their parents and were struggling to remain in school.
Although she initially resisted the impression, believing perhaps that someone else would meet the need, the conviction only grew stronger.
Eventually, she chose to obey.
Following that leading, she visited two different schools with a simple request for the school administrators.
She asked the head teachers to introduce her to students who had lost one or both parents and whose school fees remained unpaid.
It was the beginning of a day that would bring encouragement to several families.
Giving an Orphaned Student Hope to Continue
At the first school, the principal introduced her to a young female student whose father had passed away.
After exchanging greetings, the volunteer gently asked about her family and how she was coping.
The student explained that following the loss of her father, her family had been unable to pay her school fees. She had outstanding fees for both the second and third terms, placing her education at risk.
Rather than allowing discouragement to overwhelm the young girl, the volunteer reminded her that God had not forgotten her.
She encouraged the student to remain committed to her studies, continue trusting God, and keep pursuing her education with diligence.
After praying with her, the volunteer paid ₦5,000 directly into the school’s account as a contribution toward her outstanding school fees.
While it was only part of the total amount required, it served as a meaningful step toward keeping her educational journey alive.
Supporting Another Child’s Education
The outreach continued at a second school, where another young girl named Axxxxxx was introduced to the volunteer.
She too had experienced the painful loss of her father.
Like many children in similar circumstances, the financial impact of losing a parent had affected her ability to continue her education without difficulty.
Moved with compassion, the volunteer also contributed ₦5,000 toward the child’s school fees by making payment directly to the school.
For these two young girls, the support represented more than financial assistance—it was an assurance that someone cared about their future and believed in their potential.
Meeting an Urgent Need at Home
The day’s outreach did not end at the schools.
Back in her neighbourhood, the volunteer encountered a woman named Mxxxxxx who was visibly distressed.
Although the family had food available in the house, there was no cooking gas to prepare a meal.
As a result, her children were hungry and crying, while their mother stood helpless, unable to provide for them despite having food within reach.
Deeply moved by the situation, the volunteer immediately provided ₦2,000 to enable the woman refill her cooking gas cylinder.
It was a simple intervention, yet one that transformed the family’s day by making it possible for the children to finally eat.
Compassion That Responds to Real Needs
This outreach beautifully reflects the heart of ESGI’s mission.
Sometimes, helping someone means paying part of a student’s school fees.
Other times, it means providing something as practical as cooking gas so a family can prepare the food already sitting in their kitchen.
True compassion pays attention to the needs immediately before us and responds with love.
By meeting people at their point of need, we communicate a powerful message—that God sees them, values them, and cares about every detail of their lives.
Investing in Hope
Education remains one of the most effective tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, while timely support for struggling families helps preserve dignity and stability.
Through these interventions, ESGI continues to:
Support vulnerable children in remaining in school.
Encourage widowed and struggling families.
Respond to urgent household needs.
Demonstrate the love of Christ through practical acts of compassion.
Restore hope to individuals who may feel forgotten.
Every act of kindness becomes a seed planted into someone’s future.
Financial Accountability
Amount Disbursed: ₦12,000
School fees support (Student 1): ₦5,000
School fees support (Student 2): ₦5,000
Cooking gas assistance: ₦2,000
Remaining Balance: ₦24,000
Conclusion
This week’s outreach from Lafia reminds us that obedience to God’s prompting often leads to extraordinary opportunities to bless others.
Two orphaned students received encouragement to continue their education, while a struggling mother was able to prepare a meal for her hungry children—all because one volunteer chose to respond to the burden God had placed on her heart.
We remain grateful to every ESGI volunteer, financier, and partner whose generosity makes these life-changing interventions possible.
Together, we are restoring hope, preserving dreams, and demonstrating the compassion of Christ—one life, one family, and one community at a time.
To God alone be all the glory.