A South Korea based philanthropist, Mr Mark Elechi Oyim, has distributed 204 bags of rice to widows and people living with disabilities (PLWDs) in Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi state, in the spirit of Christmas and New Year celebration.
The distribution, which took place Thursday in the 12 wards of Afikpo North, had 17 beneficiaries from each ward rejoicing over the magnanimity of the philanthropist, whom they said gave them hope of celebrating the birth of Christ like other families.
In an exclusive chat with Blueprint, the philanthropist, Mr Mark Elechi Oyim, said that he was moved to remember the less privileged this yuletide because it is a season of giving and showing love as he loves giving back to society.
He said: “The distribution of these bags of rice is borne out of the need to express love to our people, particularly widows and the disabled persons in seasons like this. It is our modest contribution to our immediate environment and a way of giving back to society. After all, we rise by lifting others. Recently too, we’ve been into a few of similar gestures for other strata of the society. We intend to do more in due course. To foster love, I also organised a football competition for girls of Ozizza community in Afikpo North, which is ongoing.
“Nevertheless, my advice to my people of Afikpo this Xmas is that as we go about our merriment, let us not forget the essence of the season; to show love to one another and put smiles on as many faces as possible. We do not need to own the world to be able to lend a helping hand. Let the popular proverb that a bone to the dog is not charity, that charity is a bone shared with the dog when you’re as hungry as it is, always be our watchword.”
