The Young Women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Egerton Ward, Calabar Nigeria South Stake visited the Uwanse Motherless Babies Home.
The Young Women, led by the President of Young Women in the Egerton Ward, Sister Nkoyo Victor Udobong said that they studied and thoughtfully considered the plight of the children in the home and the trauma the babies experienced due to their abandonment and decided to visit the babies. She said the Young Women, ages ranging from 12-17, visited the Home and presented toiletries, beverages, detergents, pampers and other items estimated at several thousands of Naira.
“The young women, besides presenting the gifts to the children, also cleaned the environment, played with them (most of whom are physically challenged), sang songs and prayed for good health and God’s protection. [They] lamented the plight of the children and promised to visit them again with more gifts,” Sister Udobong said.
One of the young women, Sister Victoria Edem Umoh said it made her sad to see the children living without their mother.
“We are grateful to God and some non-governmental organizations as well as the government of Cross River State for taking adequate care of these children.” She related that most of the babies had been abandoned, while some were born to mothers who were not able to care for them due to their own health problems.
The Uwanse Motherless Babies Home houses over twenty children, starting at two months of age. The Young Women spent over 2 hours at the home. “We make them feel at home. We call on children in other churches to visit these babies and play as well as pray for them.”
The Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides instruction, encouragement and support in living the gospel of Jesus Christ for teenage female Church members ages 12 through 17. Its purpose is to help young women build their faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
The organization promotes the growth and development of each young woman through Sunday instruction, weekday activities and a goal-setting and achievement program called Personal Progress. One hour of the three-hour Sunday worship service is spent in Young Women classes.
Personal Progress
All the young women meet together for an opening prayer and hymn, and then each age group moves to a separate classroom for instruction. Young women also typically have a regularly scheduled activity night during the week called Mutual. (The term “Mutual” suggests shared experiences in which there is mutual respect and support for one another.)
The goal of these activities is to provide young women with opportunities to serve others and to develop spiritually, socially, physically and intellectually. Examples of activities include service projects, musical or cultural events, sports or athletic events, developing talents and skills, career exploration and outdoor activities. At least once a year, congregations or stakes are encouraged to organize a large, multiday Young Women outdoor camping trip or similar activity.
Young Women camp is an opportunity for young women to draw closer to Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, serve others, build friendships and unity and learn leadership and outdoor skills.