On Tuesday, December 17th 2024 Gifted Soul International brought joy to the children of Milton Margai School for the Blind with a generous donation of assorted food and non-food items, celebrating the Christmas season with the school’s staff and students.
The donation event, which included Gifted Soul International’s members, volunteers, and the press, was a heartwarming gesture of goodwill during this festive month. Gifted Soul International’s Country Coordinator, Jamiru Melchizedek Yankuba, emphasized the importance of giving during the holiday season. He explained, “Christmas is a time of hope, joy, and love, and we wanted to ensure that this month did not pass by without giving back.”
Yankuba quoted Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God,” underscoring the values that Gifted Soul International holds dear. He explained that while the organization typically hosts annual events, they felt compelled to make a special donation this Christmas.
He further shared that many members of the organization, including the founder, are based in the United States. Despite the financial challenges they face, they continue to prioritize giving to those in need. “We aim to support humanity, particularly the underprivileged, and live by the teachings of Mark 12:13, which says, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than this,” Yankuba said.
Gifted Soul International is also supporting empowerment programs, offering vocational training such as electrical courses to the underprivileged, enabling them to give back to society. Yankuba noted that the organization has supported various institutions, including Muslim schools, and emphasized that Christmas is a time for giving, even in small ways.
Milton Margai School for the Blind’s Headmaster, Sallieu Turay, expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting the challenges the school faces in feeding its 93 students, who are often accommodated as boarders from different areas in Freetown. He acknowledged that while the government provides some support, the rising cost of commodities makes it difficult for the school to meet all of its needs.
“We are very blessed to have Gifted Soul International with us during this special time. Your generosity has helped us continue to care for these children,” Turay said, adding that the donation provided much-needed relief to the school. He also mentioned that medication is another ongoing challenge, with the Headmaster sometimes using personal funds to buy essential medicine for the students.
The Headmaster concluded, “Education cannot solely rely on the government. We must all work together to ensure these children do not end up on the streets.”
