Anawim Home Benefactors

In 2004, William Blattner from the United States was involved in treatment and prevention services for persons living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria. He came with his wife Diane, who devoted time to visiting orphanages in Nigeria. Diane was deeply moved by the conditions of some orphanages she visited, and on arrival at Anawim Home, she saw a striking contrast: the Home radiated God’s love through the nutrition, happiness, and care of the children.

On her return to the United States, Diane and a friend established The Hope for West Africa Foundation (HWFA) as a nonprofit organization to support sustainable projects addressing poverty and healthcare. The organization later transitioned to a dedicated board after Diane retired from active service. The President of the Board is Sarah Kennedy.

HWFA has maintained a trusting relationship with West African partners. Funds are raised in the United States as grants for basic projects through board-approved proposals. Their donations and grants target the most pressing needs with full accountability and no overhead costs.

Archived HWFA website

By 2004, Bill and Diane were parishioners of the Church of the Nativity Parish, Timonium, Maryland, USA. The parish had active mission programmes both locally and internationally, including in Nigeria. In partnership with HWFA, the parish began funding specific projects in support of Anawim Home.

• Infant Jesus Academy building block and school equipment
• Science laboratories, library, games, and learning resources
• St. Raphael Clinic equipment through the Institute for Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN)
• Home mechanization farmland at Dukpa
• Scholarship support for orphans in primary and secondary education
• Provision of a new Hiace bus
• Sarah Hostel, built and furnished by HWFA
• Microcredit finance activities with local women
• Routine maintenance of boreholes in the Home
• Perimeter fencing of Dukpa farm and part of the secondary school
• Administrative staff salary support grants
• Boreholes, feeding support, and capacity-building sponsorships
• Ladies fellowship for women in vulnerable circumstances

The grants from Hope for West Africa Inc. and the Nativity Church of Timonium also extended to the Ghana Province, including perimeter fencing, water supply, chapel construction, and finance/administrative training for Sisters.

Another key group that has supported the work of Anawim Home is a group from Switzerland, led by Rita and Peter Caluori with their friends. They have financed many projects for the Home in Nigeria and Ghana.

1. Building of the Skill Acquisition Centre at Gwagwalada, Nigeria
2. Construction of dining hall and accompanying kitchen
3. Boreholes at schools, farms, remote village settlements, and nomadic Fulani settlements
4. Construction of a Boys’ Berth
5. Construction and furnishing of kitchen and hall with cooking utensils
6. Renovation of children’s hostels
7. Construction of fish ponds and funding for fish and poultry farming
8. Completion of Yishelanyili Maryland Ghana Convent
9. Work on borehole water supply at Yishelanyili Convent, Ghana
10. Construction of a Convent Chapel at Yishelanyili, Ghana
11. Christmas celebration support, clothing, and special feeding for children
12. Funding for the multipurpose hall at Infant Jesus Academy Secondary School, Bako

Rita and Peter Caluori and their Swiss friends have contributed enormously to the growth of the Home. We pray for God’s blessing on all of them.

The Australian High Commission was invited to assist in building a hostel known as the Australian Hostel by Bridge Initiative for African Development (BIFAD). BIFAD, in partnership with the Australian Embassy, built the hostel for orphans. The hostel was commissioned by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Paul Lehman, on 19 December 2017.

The Australian Embassy, through His Excellency Paul Lehman, saw the passion in the care of the children and made contributions toward the upkeep of children in the Home. He also celebrated many residents’ birthdays with his Australian classmates and friends, helping the Home build friendships with his family and community in Australia.

The Embassy also funded the construction of about 100 metres of perimeter fence at the Secondary School, Bako, to provide security for the students.

Paulo River Estate came at a time when feeding the children had become a major challenge. Since one of their annual visits to orphanages in 2017, they have continued to visit and provide food items yearly for the children.

They have also sponsored the training of many children, including those in higher institutions. In 2019, the company purchased books, mattresses, and other school materials for the school.

Other organizations have contributed to making life easier for residents of the Home, including:

• Czech Embassy, which furnished the catering units of the Skill Centre
• Irish Embassy, which helped complete the Clinic building started by Associate Members