Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Voice of The Vulnerables as an Initiative was born out of the need to care and cater for the vulnerable groups, because of the neglect from Government and other well to do citizens and Organizations before and during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it touched me (Smith Nwokocha), so I decided to establish an Initiative that will support the vulnerable and that was how I founded "Voice of the Vulnerables".

We have visited some Vulnerable Homes and Groups in my Community (Port Harcourt, Rivers State) and supported them with Palliatives in form of food, sensitizing them on how to prevent COVID-19 and we always visit the vulnerable groups with a team of volunteers that includes a Medical Doctor and other skilled volunteers on COVID-19.

So far, in April 2020, we have visited Cheshire Home (Home of the Physically challenged) and supported then with food items and also sensitized them. In May 2020, we also visited De Marillac Centre (Home of Street Children) and gave some palliatives and sensitize them on how to prevent COVID-19. We are currently planning on visiting Port Harcourt Remand Home to support them with Palliatives and sensitizing them as well.

The Initiative (Voice of The Vulnerales) focuses on getting Food Relief Materials, sensitizing and cash to support the vulnerable in our community, especially those in our area of coverage (Port Harcourt) and visiting Orphanage Homes and supporting them with these palliatives to help cushion the effects of COVID-19. The question we always ask, is that, if the active persons are finding it hard to sustain living since the outbreak of the pandemic, how about the vulnerable in the society. Most times, they are neglected.

Our happiness is that, we have not lost the humanity tied to people with vulnerability. If we design support for the disabled or physically challenged, it will benefit all of us. There is a greater voice of awareness for people with special needs. People including Government tend to forget the vulnerable populations, but we at the “Voice of The Vulnerable”, we did not forget the disabled community.

Support

Our required budget is $500. This can serve us monthly to visit and support more and reach out to vulnerable groups that need food items and other palliatives, because the lockdown has been a long time and they are facing hunger as well as the COVID-19 Virus.

Fundraising: We have been asking for some concerned citizens to support us, and they have to their own capacity, but at a point they have needs too, so International Donor or support from any concerned Organization will be well appreciated. We will document and give every detailed account of funds used and ensure it is used for the drive to effectively cushion the effect of COVID-19 and ensure it gets to the vulnerable in our society.

Other needs: Access to information, Space for online meetings

Links on what we have accomplished so far:
https://phwakawaka.home.blog/2020/05/31/voice-of-the-vulnerables-visits-de-marillac-centre-home-of-street-childrenin-diobu-port-harcourt/

https://phwakawaka.home.blog/2020/04/29/voice-of-the-vulnerable-donation-drive-visit-and-sensitization-on-covid-19-pandemic-to-cheshire-home-churchill-port-harcourt/

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GwkwGGca7v8ByGPR7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/x4MUnShYbyZamqXz7

See more:

https://www.facebook.com/voiceofthevulnerables
Twitter: @voiceofthevuln1
https://www.instagram.com/voiceofthevulnerables

For more information contact covid19@unmgcy.org