It was a moment of joy and gratitude at a Catholic Church-owned Charity Home for the Needy as an Edo State based Chinese company, Yongxing Stella Company, donated a building to the orphanage.

Speaking at a ceremony to formally hand over the facility to the Church, representative of the company, Hazel Han, said facility was bought, refurbished and furnished by the company, adding that was meant to create a conducive environment for the inmates.

According to her, the situation in the charity home was brought to the company’s notice by the Edo State Office of the First Lady.

She said the company visited the facility and saw its state and immediately swung into action by purchasing a new building which was refurbished to meet the needs of the inmates.

She said: “Yongxing visited the old home to understand the situation. We saw the condition of the building where the children were living and learned that they had been given notice to vacate the property.

“We felt that the children needed more than temporary assistance. They needed a safe and decent place they could call home. This led Yongxing Steel Company to take the decision to provide a new home for them.

“Yongxing Steel Company has constructed, furnished and equipped this home with essential facilities, including furniture, a generator and other necessary items within our capacity.

“The building and facilities are being handed over to the Catholic Charity Home for the Needy free of charge. There is no rent attached to this donation.

“Our hope is that this place will provide the children with security, comfort, dignity and an environment where they can learn, grow and build a better future.

Han said the project represented Yongxing Steel Company’s commitment to supporting vulnerable members of the society and making a meaningful difference in our community.

Speaking on behalf of the Coordinator of the Office of the First, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, wife of the Secretary to State Government, Mrs Nimata Ikhilor commended the gesture, saying “it is a celebration of compassion, a celebration of partnership, a celebration of humanity and a celebration of hope.”

On her part, the Principal of the Home, Rev. Mother Mary Ebewu said they were shocked after their request to the Chinese company through the office of the First Lady by the response they got.

She said before the donation of the facility when they were given a quit notice in their former rented apartment, they had received the biggest volune of donation of food items from the same Chinese company.

On his part, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Benin, Very Rev. Fr. (Dr) Michael Oyanoafoh while commending Governor Monday Okkpebholo for creating a conducive environment for bhsiness to thrive in the state called on other companies and individuals to emulate the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) nature of the company.