Master’s Touch — a US-based and Nigerian-registered philanthropic organization founded by Pastor Abby Daramola and, her daughter, Laide Daramola — has donated gift items to women and vulnerable groups in Lagos, bringing an early Christmas and smiles to nearly a thousand people.
In a visit to Ajegunlee on Saturday, November 5, the humanitarian group provided 600 blankets and other material assistance to help women and children in the low-income area cope with the harsh harmattan season and the rising cost of living.
“Our goal is to improve the living condition of the underprivileged at this vulnerable time in their lives,” said Laide Daramola, co-founder of Master’s Touch, during the presentation of the aid items at Hope Children International School in Ajegunle.
Women in Nigeria face economic disenfranchisement, with a poverty rate of 38% among the poorest brackets. The unavailability of proper bedding materials, including blankets, places women and children at risk of flu, pneumonia, and malaria. In 2019, malaria was the biggest cause of death for Nigerian women, according to Statista.
Laide used the outreach to offer words of hope to the community and share basic tips for protecting children and pregnant women from harsh weather and environmental conditions.
“This is a token from our heart; though it might be small, it is powerful,” said Laide. “The blanket is to cover yourselves and your children and serve as a reminder that God loves you.”
The event was supported by the donors to Master’s Touch and Dr. Tolu Sodimu, proprietress of Hope International School, who hosted the humanitarian organization.
Since the official launch of the Give-a-Blanket initiative earlier this year, Master’s Touch has donated 5,000 blankets and other humanitarian aid to over 11 hospitals and 10 orphanages, including the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Redeemed Maternity Clinic, Lagos Island Maternity, Massey Children’s Hospital, Living Fountain Orphanage, Little Saints Orphanage, Hearts of Gold Hospice, and Crimson Bow Sickle Cell Initiative, reaching more than 6,000 vulnerable people. In April, 2,500 blankets were gifted to pregnant women, new mothers, and children across Lagos.
Alongside the Give-a-Blanket initiative, Master’s Touch is running the “Stay Connected” program to provide entertaining electronic devices for children in hospitals and clinics.
In conjunction with Abi & Vivi Give Life Initiative, a project by the twin daughters of Laide, Master’s Touch is raising awareness of blood cancer, facilitating blood and stem cell donations, providing one-year health insurance coverage as well as aiding caregivers of blood cancer warriors.
Since 2019, Master’s Touch has raised $200,000 to support all their projects across four countries.
Master’s Touch is not resting on its oars and has outlined plans to expand reach next year. The organization aims to extend its Give-a-Blanket initiative to other states in Nigeria by 2023 and provide more financial and technical support for Sickle cell and other blood cancer warriors.
” We plan to donate 5,000 blankets in 2023 leveraging strategic partnership with local organizations,” said Pastor Abby Daramola. “We also want to focus on initiatives that benefit women and children in states affected by the nationwide flooding.”
Master’s Touch is a non-profit that relies on the donation of well-meaning private and public entities to provide much-needed support to vulnerable groups.
The organization is fully registered and in compliance with Nigerian laws. It also operates on the principles of humanity, accountability, and transparency.
Kindly visit www.themasterstouch.org to learn more about completed, ongoing, and upcoming projects and to make donations.
About Master’s Touch
Master’s Touch (MsT) is a humanitarian organization with a 501c3 status that focuses on improving the quality of life of less privileged and vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. The mission of MsT is to restore and provide transformative opportunities that will improve the standard of living of those in dire need. We accomplish this by providing resources and services which bring immediate relief and support and also develop sustainable holistic programs and services that improve the quality of life of the people we serve.