MACA

Mothers against Child Abandonment [MACA] is now in its first year. Since its official opening in October 2008, it's been challenging, nerve racking but most definitely fulfilling. One of the things I promised God in my life time in fulfilment of His goodness and mercy towards me was that I would show Him the same appreciation and even more by alleviating the plight of a particular genreof women and children.

As a helpmeet to my husband, friend and mentor, Senator Liyel Imoke, who has created gender friendly policies in the State, therein emerged the platform MACA through which my promise to the Almighty God would be realised.

The aim of MACA is to eradicate the alarming rates of teenage pregnancy and child abandonment in our State. Cross River State is a land of alluring beauty, character and amazing potential. When a child is abandoned, the land is denied of that potential. Every week we get calls from our offices to pick up babies left in dustbins or very filthy environments. Some are left to die...victims of cold harsh weather for actions that they were not responsible for. These mothers are usually young ladies in their teens. Some are raped, some are lured into having sex with older men, and sadly some are merely promiscuous largely as a result of a breakdown in the family structure. In many cases poverty remains an underlying factor.

These teenagers and their children are catered for at our separated shelter called The Refuge. Here the young ladies are taught skills to help them boost their self confidence and are gradually cased back into society. Sadly a lot of them are abandoned by their families and the people responsible for their predicament. While we do not encourage teenage pregnancies, we are of the firm belief that two wrongs do not make a right.

Please do not throw away your babies, give them to us, we will look after your babies and have them fostered. Over 53 abandoned babies have passed through The Refuge and are being fostered in homes and over 14 housemates have graduated from The Refuge. MACA currently funds the education of some graduates who opted to continue their tertiary education.

We also educate teenagers on the dangers of premarital sex, which can lead to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, VVF, and other social stigmas can also be as a result of early/unplanned pregnancy. We decided that the best way to make a significant impact in this regard would be for them to engage in interactive discussions with someone who can relate with them at their level. The Carnival Calabar Queen Pageant (CCQ) therefore was actualised in 2007. Ticket sales and funds from fund raising during the pageant are donated to The Refuge. The CCQ is the face and spokesperson for MACA.

Indeed, the journey has been far from smooth sailing. It is nerve racking when we get calls to fish out babies from dustbins and places that erode the dignity of mankind. Worse still, it is hair raising when babies die from neglect under these brutal circumstances; it is a robbery of their would have been amazing destinies.
While we realise that the magnitude of these things are done in ignorance, we appeal to all concerned to help put an end to this scourge that severely mutilates the face of our precious State.

Let's all put our hands to the plough and stop child abandonment now! No baby deserves to die before having a chance to live. God bless... Read more

Mrs Obioma Liyel-Imoke