NGOs Donate 105 Hearing Aids To 73 Persons

Soroptimist International (SI) and Lift-A-Widow Initiative, NGOs, have donated 105 free hearing aid devices to 73 hearing impaired persons in Achina community in Anambra State.

President, Lift-A-Widow Initiative Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa-Mbah, said that she was touched by the level of ignorance, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa-Mbah,  poverty and haplessness of the beneficiaries who had hearing impaired challenge.

“So I have found out that those who are in need of these hearing aids cannot afford them; some that can afford it don’t even know how to go about it.

“The behind the ear hearing mode device, which SI Surulere donated, would cost you at least about N180,000 for one. And then, the mould we have now co-partnered with them to give to these people cost N22,500 each.

“I have looked on and found out that if we can help, even if it is one of them, you ‘ve made society better by adding one person who can now hear you when you shout, when you talk without having to be cast aside and looked at.’’

President of Soroptimist International, Mrs Pat Black,  however, called on the Federal and state governments to partner with the organisation to up-lift the lives of the less privileged and widows, especially in the rural areas.

Black noted that her orgainsation had been collaborating with the WHO and UNICEF on reduction of maternal mortality in Nigeria, upliftment of rural women as well as aiding people affected by natural disasters.

“We are an ethical organisation, therefore, we can be guaranteed to use government funds properly and in a way they want them used; so the funds come from government sources, local government sources.

Mr Solomon Ade, a Lagos-based audiologist, advised the beneficiaries to protect the devices since it was costly and “it is difficult to repair”.

“I have advised the students and other beneficiaries to protect the devices from water and other liquids and to remove them when they want to go to bed.’’

Wife of Gov. Peter Obi, Mrs Mageret Obi,  thanked the NGOs for the gesture.

Obi, who was represented by  Anambra Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Henrietta Agbata, called on public-spirited individuals to help the government in extending development and love to the less privileged people in the state.

“We thank the SI and Lift-A-Widow Initiative for sparing time, money and coming together to be with the under-privileged. I wish other people that are privileged among us as well as groups could come around and see where they could help the government.’’