The Sahara Group has been honoured by the Down Syndrome Foundation in Nigeria in recognition of its love for humanity and commitment towards economic and social advancement of persons with special needs.
Over the last five years, Sahara Group, through its Corporate Social Responsibility vehicle, Sahara Foundation, has been partnering with the Down Syndrome Foundation through funding surgeries for children with congenital heart disease, provision of food and clothing as well as educative materials to boost the children’s learning capacity.
Sahara Group staff members, in keeping with the company’s Employee Volunteering Scheme policy, have also acted as mentors to some of the children and have purchased items produced by them to enhance their drive for developing specific skills and talents.
Chief John Odeyemi, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Down Syndrome Foundation in Nigeria, commended Sahara for playing a leading role in ensuring the well-being of children living with special needs.
While urging other organisations to provide more support for the Foundation, Odeyemi said: “Sahara has been a very dependable partner over the last few years. They have constantly shown the children love and supported the Foundation in various ways. We are proud to present this award to them and we look forward to many more years of partnership with the Sahara Group.”
The Manager, Sahara Foundation, Tomiwa Adesida, said the Foundation is committed to offering support to people living with various forms of challenges to ensure easy access to sustainable platforms for realizing their dreams and aspirations.
Adesida said: “We are delighted at the opportunity we have to work with these special children through partnership with the Down Syndrome Foundation. Our work with the children over the years has given us the rare privilege of experiencing their amazing intelligence, talent, caring nature and passion for creativity. Our staff members are always willing and available to work with the children as volunteers and partners in the quest for ensuring they overcome their challenges to live a fulfilling life.”
Adesida said Sahara Foundation remained committed to transforming lives and providing socio-economic opportunities for individuals, communities and nations under its key intervention areas, including health, education and capacity building, environment and sustainable development.
Established in 2001, the Down Syndrome Foundation, Nigeria is a non-governmental, not-for-profit association of children with Down Syndrome as well as their parents, caregivers and other interested stakeholders.
The Foundation provides guidance through publishing, training and consultancy services to families and professionals within the African sub region in order to improve opportunities that are available to young people with this condition.