100 C’River vulnerable children receive free healthcare

Emem Julius

A humanitarian group, De New Calabar Lions Club, has offered free medical outreach, food items, cash gifts and free haircut to about 100 vulnerable street children and orphans in Calabar, Cross River State.

The event with the theme, ‘Kindness in Action Project: A Day for Street Children’ held on Wednesday was in partnership with Cross River State Children’s Parliament and CyanahPen Odeluwa to commemorate the 2026 World Children’s Day Celebration.

The President of the group, Bright Nwokeocha, said the exercise was part of the organisation’s humanitarian mission to offer free medical services directly to vulnerable children living on the streets.

He said, “The essence of today’s outreach is to commemorate Children’s Day and bring this free medical outreach closer to the vulnerable children living on the street and orphans who don’t have parental care.”

According to Nwokeocha, the initiative is rooted in the organisation’s eight service pillars, with kindness as a core value, adding that simple acts like haircut and health check can change how children see themselves and their future.

“Kindness is a language that even a deaf man can hear and a blind man can see. It restores dignity and inspires confidence. Where there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.

“When we started the haircut, you could see the smile on their faces because they wanted to wear a new look. It brightened their minds and gave them a sense that people care,” he said.

Nwokeocha added that the free medical services was carried out to further assist the critical health risks faced by vulnerable children on the street.

The Coordinator of the outreach, Chihurumnanya Miracle, said the free medical and empowerment outreach were because of the high number of vulnerable children in the area, explaining that a recent assessment showed over 500 street children live in the area.

“The purpose for this outreach is to put a smile on the face of children. We understand that these children are orphans and they hardly get help. It is a thing of joy that we are able to put a smile on their faces”, he added.

One of the partners, David George, who doubles as Mr Leo District 404A2, Nigeria said the outreach held on Children’s Day was a meaningful way to give back to society, noting that the outreach aligned with the values of service and dignity for vulnerable groups.

Mr. Bassey Bassey while speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended the organisation for the gesture, describing the programme as a “way to give hope to hopeless and abandoned children.”

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