Foundation enrols orphans in school

The Kawo Islamic Foundation, founded by late Major Nura Hamza, who died on May 21 alongside the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, and others in a plane crash, has enrolled 53 orphans into a private school in Kawo, Kaduna.

Major Nura Hamza was the sole funder of the foundation and had until his death promised to sponsor some orphans through university level. Arewa Trust Weekly gathered that the 53 orphans who were enrolled into Salim Schools Kawo are the third set of an orphan sponsorship programme established by the foundation.  

Secretary of the foundation, Dr Jamilu Haruna, said one of the beneficiaries of the programme is currently studying medicine at Bayero University, Kano while two others are studying Nursing and Midwifery.

Dr Haruna said the foundation had observed disappointments among the orphans programme and so had decided to train orphans from primary to university levels. “In view of that, we have enrolled two sets of students and this is the third set in Kawo.”

He said the foundation had been worried about how to care for the orphans after the death of Major Hamza but expressed relief that many people had extended a helping hand to the cause and consequently, the foundation presently has over 300 students enrolled in schools.

He added that before the demise of late Major Nura, the foundation had started a training programme for caregivers because it had noticed that the children came to school late because they needed to hawk goods to put food on the table before coming to school.

According to him, 48 caregivers have graduated from the training but the foundation has been unable to provide them with capital and starter packs due to lack of funds. He called on well-meaning individuals to come to their aid so the children can remain in school.      

The chairman of the foundation, Usman Umar, said the foundation is putting in place a sustainability plan to ensure continuity, adding that after the death of Major Hamza, many organisations and wealthy individuals had contributed to its sustenance.

Umar said the Kaduna State government, through its Vulnerable Children Support programme, is providing healthcare for the orphans.

Also speaking, a renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, called on Muslims to emulate the foundation and take up the upkeep of the needy in their communities. He cautioned the trustees not to accumulate interest with the proceeds of the foundation but use it for charitable activities.