Charity: The Strong Tower Mission

By Nwabundo Onyeabo

The Strong Tower Mission is a Christian charity organization founded by Rev. (Mrs.) Christiana Bamidele George, and run by an 8-member Board of Trustees -Capt. Jide George, Chairman; Miss Janet Oriyomi, Trustee & Administrator Family Relief Centers; Mrs. Vickii Ogbuigwe, Mrs. Ngozi Anifowoshe, Barrister Toyin Anifowoshe, Dr. Olu Awosika, Dr. (Mrs) Dere Awosika, and Dr. Sam Ogbuigwe. The organization believes in "bread in one hand, the Gospel on the other."
Its aims are two-fold:

1. To care for the underprivileged in the society i.e. the poor, destitute, widows, orphans and abandoned children in the society and
2. To engage in charity work of all description and generally demonstrate the Love of God to all men irrespective of race, color or creed.

The Mission operates three arms

Family Relief Centers:

The Mission currently runs three of such centers all over Lagos, Nigeria. The centers provide "social rehabilitation of the helpless, poor and unemployed to suitable areas of resourcefulness where they could put their skills to good use". The centers also provide petty trading capital to the widowed and the aged, as long as funds are available under the B.S.Scheme (Business Support Schemed). Hundreds from the poor population have benefited by acquiring different trades or other forms of employment through the program since its inception. The major challenges faced in this arm include- manpower and finance; efforts are constantly being made to create awareness of this need.

Missions

The missions arm is dedicated to sharing God's love and message of Jesus Christ to unreached parts of Nigeria. The Strong Tower Mission's vision is established upon the compulsion of Biblical faith to - give surplus to the poor (Luke 3:11), provide them with food, clothes and shelter as much as is possible. (James 2:15-8, Acts 2:45, Acts 4:34-35), Luke 3:11, Matt: 15; 32-39), preach the Gospel to them (Luke 4:18, Matt. 11:5, Mark 16:15), pray for them, encourage them and counsel them (2 Cor.8:1-7, Gal 2:10).
Help centers are set up in the mission fields to help settle spiritual as well as the physical needs of the people. Over the years, two relief centers have been produced from mission field visits.

Orphanages

Little Saints Orphanage is a major part of the second arm of the Mission. The facility which started in 1994 is also known as the "heartbeat of the mission" and is the first non-governmental indigenous orphanage approved by the Lagos state government.
Little Saints three-tier program involves Rehabilitation, Reformation and Reintegration for the children.
Rehabilitation the primary goal is to "take abandoned children off the streets and give them a befitting home." Little Saints Orphanage has a hostel within the centers, which are called 'Little Saints House' for abused, abandoned and orphaned children brought into the mission by the police or good Samaritans.
Reformationthe Little Saints are reformed through the different levels of education- up to higher institutions and through extra curricular activities such as the sports
Re-integration this process is achieved through fostering and adoption programs, also by reuniting the children with their extended family members.

The Orphanage currently operates four branches:

The Headquarters/Baby Care Unit: includes the Administrative complex of the Mission and the Baby Care Unit; which is a home for babies from new born to 12 Months, They transition to their individual hostels according to their gender once they start to walk.
Akowonjo Branch for Boys: is referred to as the Main orphanage because it was the first hostel facility to be built by the Mission .This is the Little Saints House or hostel for the boys and their nannies. It is a 200 bed Hostel equipped with standard facilities. It runs a small administrative team of caring, loving staffers including cleaners, cooks, nannies and missionaries to take care of every need of the children under the supervision of an Administrator.
Ogudu Branch: was donated to the Little Saints by the CEO of Forescore homes, Mr. Femi Osibona in 2005. It is occupied by the girls and their nannies. Similar to the Akowonjo Branch for Boys, it runs a small staff of cooks, washers, and volunteers under the supervision of an Administrator.
Abule Egba Branch: this is the newest branch - a complex comprising of the Family Relief Center and the Little Saints house. This special facility houses children with physical and mental challenges. This includes children who suffer different ailments (such as HIV) and physical conditions; that need the extra care and attention. They are cared for by special nannies and administrators. The Family Relief aspect of the complex offers Small Scale Business Support to widows as well as distribution of food to hundreds of needy people on a regular basis.
The Little Saints are involved in several activities including Outreach, Excursions, Dramas, Choreography, Sports and etc.

Needs/Challenges

Aside from the aforementioned constraints, a major need in the orphanage is the provision of fully equipped medical facilities for the children as private hospitals are extremely expensive and government hospitals are not always cooperative.

Funding.

The orphanage raises funds through private funding from families, internal fund-raising through musical concerts, as well as donations from the general public. Compassion band, the resident band, in collaboration with Sheraton Lagos Hotel & Towers brings awareness to the plight of orphans through music - an event tagged "Compassion Explosion" and has generated funds through commercial engagements for the needs of the children.
"Joy Night" is another program coordinated by Strong Tower Mission to increase awareness and raise funds through praise and worship. Collection Boxes are available at strategic locations and cash donations for food and financing the children's education is accepted.
The Management and Board of Trustees receive great joy from seeing the orphans and abandoned children rehabilitated, reformed and reintegrated into society. One great source of joy is when a child is adopted into great, well meaning families. The children are usually monitored until they reach adulthood.

For more information, visit the Missions Website