Ground Breaking Day - Jan. 2024
Great progress is being made at the orphanage in Nigeria. Scheduled for official opening on August 9th, 2025.
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
This is Trinitas. She is about 3 to 4 years old. She was abandoned by her mother at the hospital there is no trace of her family. She has hydrocephalus and psychological imbalances.
Joseph
This is Joseph. He is about 7 to 8 years of age and is autistic. He can neither sit nor stand. Joseph was abandoned in the hospital by his mother.
Emmanuelle
This is Emmanuelle. She is about 8 to 9 years of age. She was starved, locked up and maltreated by her family. They eventually threw her out of the house which broke her hips. She is physically and psychologically challenged.
Osawese
This is Osawese (Thank God). He is about 18 to 19 years and was picked up in the streets by the Nigerian social welfare. He is epileptic and psychologically challenged. There is no trace of his family. The only thing he is able to do by himself is eat.
Susan
This is Susan. She is about 18 to 19 years of age and is mentally challenged. Apart from feeding herself, she cannot do anything else. She has no family and was picked up from the streets.
Clinton
This is Clinton. He is about 15 to 16 years old. There is no trace of his family. Clinton is severely epileptic and mentally disabled. He was picked up on street by the Nigerian police.
Marieline
This is Marieline. She is about 6 to 7 years of age with no trace of her family. She was found abandoned in the streets. She is physically and mentally challenged and can't walk.
Michael
This is Michael and he is about 9 to 10 years old. He was rescued from his mentally ill mother. He is mentally challenged and epileptic
Anthony is a toddler. His mother loved him but was unable to care for his extreme special needs due to her own poverty. She left him in the sister's care with a loving note.
Anthony