What word can best describe the joy of a parent whose daughter was rescued from the jaws of death through the assistance of a humanitarian organisation, asks BUSOLA ODUGBESAN.
Tears of joy flowed freely from Mr. Ganiu Wasiu, father of Aliya Ayomide, a five-year-old hole-in-the-heart girl who underwent a successful surgery in India, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gowon Estate.
In an emotional voice, Wasiu said: “I am so happy. I don’t know how to thank members of Rotary Club for what they did for me. “I am just speechless and I don’t know how to start thanking you all for coming to our aid”.
Aliya was discovered to have a rare congenital case from birth. What the dad could remember was that of general weakness. She couldn’t respond well as she grew. Ignorantly, they thought it was a spiritual attack. Aliya’s grandparent made it worse by taking her to various healing homes and churches for a miracle. As her case regressed as she grew, Wasiu was forced to start going to local hospitals, yet there was no improvement.
“She was getting weaker everyday, she couldn’t talk or walk and we were going for various tests, but no improvement. My parents, concerned about her case, decided it is a spiritual matter and again we started going from one clergy man to another, from one traditional diviner to another, all telling us they can give us solution to our problem, collecting money from us until we had nothing else to pay and we started seeking for help everywhere for money and solution, yet nothing happened.”
Wasiu said his wife later took Aliya away from her grandparent and took her to the general hospital and “after series of test, we discovered our baby had a hole in the heart.
“And we got the shock of our lives when the doctor told us we cannot get the treatment here and that we need to fly her abroad for better treatment.
‘’I didn’t know what else to do and my wife started crying and running around to look for money. Someone told my wife to go to NTA station to solicit for public help and she obliged. Mrs. Treasure directed my wife to Mr Ben Okhumale of the Rotary Club.
“I asked my wife what is Rotary? Even though I have been hearing about Rotary, I didn’t know if it was a company, or an NGO. I really didn’t know what Rotary was all about, how they have been putting smiles on people’s face until I started communicating with Mr. Ben. He promised that Rotary would take up my child’s case and I should not panic. I thought this was a dream, and I kept asking Mr. Ben how his plan would work out? I didn’t believe it until Mr. Ben of Rotary Club asked me to get a passport, visa, flight ticket and from there I said it seemed this dream would come to fruition — the international trip to Indian with my baby for the surgery. I said to myself, it seems my sorrow concerning Aliya is coming to an end through Rotary Club.
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“Ever since the issue of Aliya started, my home has not been itself. It was everyday sorrow and when you come across Aliya you will think she won’t spend the next minute alive . In fact, I am always ashamed to take my daughter out because of this ailment,” said the father.
Continuing, he said: “With the help of Rotary, my company Flour Mill of Nigeria Plc., Ibadan where I work was able to assist with the visa fee and then we travelled to India for the surgery and it was successful. Now, my Aliya can talk, walk and do many other things.
Aliya’s mother said: “In fact, I am forever indebted to Rotary. I have never experienced this kind of good gesture before in my life. But, I am fortunate to get one from Rotary Club of Gowon Estate and Rotary International, thanks to the generosity of the club. I pray that no one will know sorrow, God will meet you all at the point of your needs. Heaven will open for you when you call’’, she said.
District Governor, Dr Jide Akeredolu said it gladdens his heart how Rotary is giving and supporting humanity. This, he said, shows that Rotary is an organisation that cares. He commended members of Rotary Club of Gowon Estate for a job well done.
Okhumale said Baby Aliya is a special baby that is destined to live, noting that he was happy for the surgery performed and the speedy recovery. He added that the success story of Aliya can’t be completed without acknowledging Rotary Club of Gowon Estate through the Coordinator, Past District Governor (Rotary) Salisu Ahmed, the Rotary Foundation International Rotary Districts 9110, 9125, 9141, 9142 and Rotary Club of Belur, India.
President Rotary Club of Gowon Estate, Mr Oscar Olua expressed his gratitude to the club and to other Rotary Clubs for their usual support.
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