Ground Breaking Day - Jan. 2024
Official opening of Emeka's Orphanage Home on August 9th, 2025.
Emeka's orphanage home is a mission to honor a dream born of faith, compassion, and the unwavering belief that every child, every individual, every human being deserves to be seen, known, and loved. Emeka's orphanage home stands as a living testament to what hope can build when embraced by community.
The excitement in this video unveils the hearts of these kids.
“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my heritage, that you have brought me thus far? (2 Sam. 7:18).
Groundbreaking: January 21st, 2024 Completion: May 15th, 2025.
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05/14/2025 Update:
The short video shows an almost completed Emeka's Orphanage house. Everything about this house is complete as a building - fencing, security house, security wires on the fence, water tanks, and interlocking of the compound. All electric fittings, kitchen cabinets, and fans installed. Everything looks beautiful.
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What do we need now? Furnishing of this beautiful edifice! - beds for the children, pieces of furniture, gas for cooking, etc. We'll need seats for the chapel, a beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a monstrance, and a tabernacle. We will need an alternate electricity supply, either solar energy or a quality generator to ensure regular or relatively stable power for the entire house and to pump water for them.
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We're at that finishing line! Yes, these kids are going into this house on Saturday, August 9th. That's the goal. We'll appreciate your help. We're determined to give the best to these wonderful children.
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Feel free to use the donate button or contact us by email.
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04/07/2025 Update:
Images show (Right below) an Electric Generator house. To the left of that is the back view of the orphanage building.
Above those two are images showing the frontage with the tank stands between the main building and the infirmary building. The landing page image shows the main building with the gates under construction.
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Painting work: Painting commenced on March 28th, 2025. The embedded video shows the workers having some good times at work (painting still in the priming stage). Note that every bit of work done at the orphanage was manual labor -cement lifting, block moulding, sand digging/filling, plastering, tiling, roofing, ceiling, and every form of excavation right from the start. Ababkaliki is known for tough soil texture and hard rocky ground. This was most challenging during the sinking of a borehole for the children and the soak-away pit (sewage system). Check out the beauty of the fencing as the video pans around. This is going to be a state-of-the-art building after all.
Our volunteers and sponsors generously donated time, talent, and financial support. These volunteers planned, coordinated, and executed fundraising events to build the orphanage.
Visiting the site on Saturday, January 11th, the sisters showed great excitement at the progress. The orphanage, which started on January 21st, 2023, progressed at such a speed that it neared completion. The photo shows sisters in amazement.
On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, Fr. Vin, Mother Agatha, Sr. Janefrances, and Sr. Ngozi (Missionary Sisters of Mater Ecclesiae), who are the direct caregivers of the kids at the orphanage, went to visit Bishop Peter Chukwu at his residence in Abakaliki. The bishop scheduled the official opening of the orphanage during this visit.
As of October 2024, Emeka's Orphanage project was progressing well. The fencing was completed, the walls were plastered, the security house and infirmary were completed, and the tiling was starting inside.
During the construction period, the sisters collaborated with the workers in a good way, checking up on them and ensuring their wellbeing. The orphanage project created another level of evangelization and exchange of charity among the various components. ​
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April 19, 2024
We finally made it to this historic day. After 3 years of meetings, fundraising events, and late nights, the orphanage is under construction. Fr. Vin visited the property in January, blessing the grounds, workers, children and adults. The day was one of typical African heat yet filled with great joy and anticipation.​
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Beyond providing for the orphans and caretakers, the orphanage project has provided employment for the locals and even water to the needy. Water was needed to mix the concrete, so a borehole (well) was drilled early in the project. In addition to providing water for work, the locals benefitted during the dry season. The house is projected to be completed by summer.
Sweet moments
As a sweet side note - When Fr. Vin reached the orphanage, he visited little Emmanuella in her room where she is bedridden most of the time due to her extreme handicaps. She didn't forget her manners though and wished Fr. Vin "welcome" to her humble home.
Janaury 2024
Recent Updates
Construction Site updates
Ebonyi State is in Southeastern Nigeria
The orphanage is located in Abakaliki, the capitol of Ebonyi State and largest city. It is an area populated primarily by the Igbo people.
Ebonyi is primarily an agricultural region. It is a leading producer of rice, yam, potatoes, maize, beans, cassava, and have a notable basket market in Nigeria.
Fr. Vin Visits the Orphanage
Journey of Joy: A Heartwarming Visit to the Orphanage in Abakaliki
Blessings and Connections: Sharing Moments of Prayer and Care with the Kids
Special Moments: Blessing the property
The property and home design
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Why is it called Emeka's house?
A personal story
Emeka my cousin, is born blind. As a child, he sat abandoned beside the fireplace, mostly on ashes. Emeka's twin sister looked different, apparently received much better treatment. The parents did not seem to find Emeka worthy of the same love as their other children because of Emeka's disabilities. Emeka rarely had anyone to talk to. He was lonely and mostly unkempt.
Update: Emeka was found during the trip to Nigeria in 2024. He is in his 40's now and living with his mother. What a blessing to find him again!
-Fr. Vin
Meet the Kids
Trinitas
My name is Trinitas. I am 6 years old. I have a neurodegenerative disease which would not let me keep my head steady. I am in school, but it is difficult for me to advance academically due to this disorder. I believe I can still get surgery with your help. I depend on medication to survive. I love being cheerful.
Anthony
My name is Anthony. I am 4 years old. I have cerebral palsy and this affected my physical, psychological, and physiological development. I depend on medication. I am fully paralyzed and unable to talk. I am unable to hold things or do anything on my own. I love when I'm held with tenderness.
Emmanuelle
My name is Emmanuella. I am 12 years old. I have severe physical and mental disabilities. I also experience epilepsy. I depend mostly on medication and the support of others. I enjoy it when others smile at me with love and compassion.
Osawese Godwin
My name is Godwin. I am 24 years old. I have mental and physical challenges which make it impossible for me to move around without the help of caregivers. I can slightly make use of my right hand. I like neatness and good food. I can get excited when I am thrilled.
Susan
My name is Sussan. I am 24 years old. I have a severe neurocognitive disorder which also affected my speech. I depend mostly on medications to control my mood disorder. I am an extrovert. I am happy when people treat me with love and affection. I smile all the time.
Clinton
My name is Clinton. I am 23 years old. I have mental disability and suffer from epileptic seizures. This has resulted in disfiguring my right hand. I like singing and role playing. But I like getting kickbacks and special rewards.
Marylyn
My name is Marylyn. I am 8 years old. I have a severe physical disability, some skin infections and also speech impediment. I depend on constant medications for survival. I like to feel a sense of belonging and being the center of attention. I am confident and outgoing.
Michael
My name is Michael. I am 18 years old. I have severe mental and physical disabilities. Most times I feel strange and as if my body does not belong to me. I am anti-social. I depend on constant medications.
My name is Joy. I am 24 years old. I suffer from chronic epileptic seizures which affected my speech and movement. I like neatness and orderliness. I am very curious and creative. I love unraveling new things. I also enjoy singing. I need help with getting into school.
Joy
Precious
My name is Precious, a name I got from my foster father who picked me from the waste bin. I have physical and mental disabilities and suffer from epilepsy. I can neither stand nor sit by myself. I can't do anything for myself due to impairment. My best moments are when the sisters carry me fondly. It always makes me feel better.
Gabriela
My name is Gabriela Amanda. I am 3 years old, one of the triplets in the orphanage. I am in pre – nursery. I lost my mother at birth. I love to be in school and will be glad to continue my education. I enjoy staying around people with love.
Raphael
My name is Raphael, one of the triplets in the orphanage. My siblings are better than me because I have severe physical and mental disabilities. I am happy staying in the orphanage with my siblings.
Michael
My name is Michael, one of the triplets in the orphanage. I lost my mother at birth after delivering me with my two siblings. I am an extrovert and highly competitive. I love to have someone to call mom. I like doing challenging tasks.
Sixtus
My name is Sixtus. I am 2 years old. I lost my mother at birth. I am an eager learner. I am a happy boy who feels good when fed. IJust give me food and I'm happy.
Joseph
My name is Joseph. I am 5 years old. I am in Nursery 3. I lost my mother at birth. I am one of the triplets. I am happy staying in the orphanage with my two siblings.
Michael
My name is Michael. I am 9 years old, and I am in primary 3. I have no father to take care of me. I am a very intelligent boy. I top my class, but I am afraid I may drop out of school. I love adventure and risks. I am delighted when praised. I am happy in the orphanage.
Tribute to Joseph
Joseph came to us a boy unable to speak, yet he communicated in a way that pierced the heart. He taught us love not through words but through presence — through his smile, his touch, his gaze. Joseph reminded us daily that every life, no matter how silent, speaks volumes when embraced with love. He is our little saint, who taught us love without words. May Joseph's soul rest in peace. Amen.
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