By Ibukun Emiola
Vine Branch Foundation School, Ibadan, has marked its 30th anniversary with the donation of food items, toiletries and other relief materials to two orphanage homes in Ibadan as part of activities commemorating the milestone.
The beneficiary homes were The Hope Orphanage Home, Oluwo Kekere, Bashorun, and Oyiza Orphanage and Foster Foundation, Felele, Challenge.
Items donated to each home included 50kg bags of rice and beans, yam tubers, vegetable oil, cartons of noodles and spaghetti, sanitary pads, detergents and toiletries.
Speaking during the outreach, the Head of School, Mrs Titilope Ojo, said the donation reflected the welfare programmes regularly undertaken by Vine Branch Ministries International in line with Christian values.
According to her, the initiative is also aimed at teaching pupils the importance of kindness and compassion towards less privileged children.
“It is also an avenue to let the children know that there are other children who are not so blessed with parents, so that they will know how to be kind to people. And for those in the orphanages to know that we are there for them and God remembers them,” she said.
Ojo said the anniversary programme also featured a hymn festival, a luncheon and awards ceremony where the school’s founder, Pastor Bridget Kolade, long-serving teachers and individuals who had contributed significantly to the school’s growth were honoured. She added that the celebration concluded with a thanksgiving service.
In separate remarks, representatives of the two orphanages expressed appreciation to the school for the gesture.
The Director of Oyiza Orphanage and Foster Foundation, Mrs Joy Taiwo, said the home, which has existed for 25 years, currently caters for 45 children, with several already in universities, while others are in primary, secondary and vocational institutions.
She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to support the orphanage, particularly in providing household items, food, medication and infrastructure such as a sick bay, library and agricultural facilities.
Earlier at the anniversary luncheon and awards ceremony, the founder of the school, Pastor Bridget Kolade, said the institution was established 30 years ago out of a desire to raise children rooted in God’s word while receiving quality education.
Kolade described the anniversary as a significant milestone and expressed optimism that the school would become even more impactful in the years ahead.
She said the greatest fulfilment was seeing former pupils grow into responsible adults whose lives reflected the values instilled during their formative years.
According to her, the school’s uniqueness lies in its emphasis on character development with Christ as its foundation.
Also speaking, a member of the school’s Board of Directors, Prof. Esther Oduolowu, said the institution had made significant contributions to Nigeria’s education sector over the past three decades through its commitment to holistic child development.
The Chairperson of the Parent-Teachers Forum, Mrs Olufunmilayo Alli, commended the school for nurturing excellence and promoting the moral and social development of its pupils.
Highlights of the celebration included presentation of awards to deserving staff members, cutting of the anniversary cake, goodwill messages from alumni and friends of the school, and a thanksgiving service attended by management, staff, pupils and parents.
