The Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has donated relief materials, other items and cash gifts to rehabilitated residents of the Anambra Rehabilitation Home in Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
Soludo made the donation during a visit to the rehabilitation centre on Sunday, where she interacted with residents who had undergone rehabilitation and vocational training.
Some of the residents had been certified medically fit to leave the centre, while others had completed skills acquisition programmes designed to prepare them for reintegration into society.
The First Lady expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the beneficiaries, particularly their ability to demonstrate the skills they had acquired during their time at the centre.
She said the experience reinforced her belief that rehabilitation should go beyond helping people recover, stressing the importance of giving vulnerable people opportunities to rebuild their confidence and become productive members of society.
According to her, people undergoing rehabilitation require support and encouragement to rediscover their abilities and prepare for life outside the centre.
She also commended the caregivers and staff of the rehabilitation home for their role in supporting the beneficiaries throughout their rehabilitation.
Soludo said the successful completion of the skills training demonstrated that people could rebuild their lives when given appropriate assistance and opportunities.
“Every human deserves a second chance,” she said, emphasising the importance of providing support to people who are working towards rebuilding their lives.
The programme also saw some of the beneficiaries formally reunited with their families after completing their rehabilitation and being certified fit to return to their communities.
A separate report said nine rehabilitated residents were among those reunited with their families. The beneficiaries had received vocational training, particularly in baking, as part of efforts to equip them with skills that could help them become self-reliant.
As part of the reintegration process, the beneficiaries were reportedly provided with bags of flour, baking equipment and take-off grants to enable them to establish small-scale businesses.
The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, represented the First Lady during the formal send-off ceremony for the beneficiaries.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the skills, equipment and financial support provided to them as they begin a new phase of their lives.
The commissioner also commended the management and staff of the rehabilitation centre for their commitment to the welfare and rehabilitation of vulnerable residents.
The rehabilitation programme reflects a broader approach to social welfare that combines recovery, skills acquisition and economic empowerment with efforts to reunite beneficiaries with their families.
Rather than ending rehabilitation when residents are medically cleared, the reintegration component seeks to provide them with practical skills and resources that can assist their transition back into their communities.
The Anambra Rehabilitation Home in Nteje has continued to provide rehabilitation and skills-training services for vulnerable persons, with the latest programme highlighting the role of vocational training in supporting their return to society.
The First Lady’s visit and donation were therefore presented as part of efforts to encourage the beneficiaries and support their transition from institutional care to independent living.
The beneficiaries are expected to use the skills and materials provided to them to pursue productive livelihoods while reconnecting with their families and communities.
