As part of activities to mark this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration, the Hadassah Developmental Care and Nutrition Foundation, (HDCN) on Wednesday organised a food distribution event to special education schools and homes to celebrate the day with children with special needs.

The event was held at the Estate Primary School, (Special Unit), Oluwole Estate, Ogba, Lagos. The joyful children were undeterred by their seeming peculiarities and participated in several games, dances, and other activities at the event with winners awarded with gifts.

Speaking on the event’s significance, Programme Co-ordinator for Hadassah Developmental Care and Nutrition Foundation, Oluwatosin Elugbe, said the not-for-profit organisation was keen on touching lives and putting smiles on the faces of the special children.

Our organisation connect by trying to bridge the gap between the rich and poor in society. In a season such as Valentine’s Day, which is meant to share love, we’ve come to share and celebrate these kids.

“We also observed that not many people remember these children on such occasions. That’s why we have taken it upon ourselves to come to this school and make these children feel loved and appreciated in society.

“We do not want them to  feel left out  because of their disabilities and our society shouldn’t relegate them to the background because of their condition.’’

Also speaking, Omowunmi Odutuga, Head of the Special Unit, stated that children with special needs should not be seen as disabled children and neglected. Rather, distinctively different children should be viewed as such, and treated with love and affection.

She urged privileged Nigerians, non-profit-making and corporate organisations to emulate the generosity of Hadassah Developmental Foundation by remembering to show love in cash and kindness to Children with special needs, not just on special occasions, but daily too.

Hadassah Developmental Care and Nutrition (HDCN) Foundation is a Non-for-Profit organisation which provides support, care and help for persons living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related conditions, irrespective of their age, race, religion, sexual orientation, income and cultural background.

Since its establishment in the year 2017, H.D.C.N in collaboration with her local and international partners has put smiles on the faces of many individuals living with ASD and related disorders and their families.

The Foundation is currently registered in Nigeria and with the state of California in the USA.