Students of Hyde Memorial Secondary School, Jengre, Plateau State were encouraged to transform grief into resilience as the MATINAAH CARE FOUNDATION hosted its Assist A Child, Build A Future Orphan Conference.

The event, held on Tuesday 14th July, 2026 brought together orphaned and vulnerable children, educators, community leaders, and faith-based stakeholders to inspire hope, promote emotional healing, and encourage academic excellence.

The conference commenced with a touching drama presentation by students depicting the daily struggles of orphaned children.

One emotional scene portrayed a child roasting corn to survive before collapsing from hunger. The performance ended with a heartfelt musical appeal urging society to “show mercy and love to the orphans.”

Delivering the opening devotion, retired Pastor Mika Simon Nasamu, who spoke from Isaiah 43:19, encouraged the students to look beyond their painful past and embrace God’s promise of a brighter future.
“Forget the failures of yesterday, for God is doing a new thing,” he said.

Speaking on the theme, “Orphan: From Identity and Grief to Resilience,” Mrs. Nkechinyere Glad Maigadi described resilience as the ability to recover from life’s challenges despite adversity.

“Resilience is like rubber it stretches under pressure but does not break,” she explained, urging participants to replace negative self-talk with hopeful and positive thinking.
She also emphasized the importance of healthy support systems through friendships, mentorship, and the buddy system as practical tools for overcoming trauma, rejection, low self-esteem, and emotional loss.

In another presentation titled “Taking Care of Yourself: Health, Hygiene, and Self-Respect—A Pathway to Academic Excellence,” Miss Miriam Sam Okere encouraged the students not to allow painful experiences to determine their future.
“Pain is not permission to give up,” she said.
She recommended practical coping strategies, including talking to trusted adults, journaling, praying, engaging in healthy recreational activities, and maintaining positive friendships.

Miss Okere further encouraged the students to embrace a broader understanding of family, noting that teachers, pastors, caregivers, relatives, and the wider community can also provide love, guidance, and support.
“Where I start does not determine where I will finish,” she added.

The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every orphaned and vulnerable child understands that they are valued, unique, and never alone.

It explained that the name MATINAAH, derived from the Kigonno dialect spoken in Kauru Local Government Area, means Integrity and also represents the Foundation’s core values: Mercy, Advocacy, Transformation, Integrity, Nurture, Accountability, Accessibility, Health, and Hope.

Foundation representatives disclosed that MATINAAH CARE FOUNDATION currently provides full educational scholarships to 22 students across Nigeria, comprising 10 beneficiaries in Maiduguri, two in Jengre, and 10 in Abuja. They added that plans are underway to expand the scholarship programme within the Jengre community.

The Principal of Hyde Memorial Secondary School, Mr. Bawa Ishaya Maikudi, commended the Foundation for its compassion and generosity.
“You have demonstrated a heart of gold. May God continually replenish the source of your resources,” he prayed.

Goodwill messages were delivered on behalf of Elder Bitrus Bako Nabasu, former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Abuja, by Architect David Ezra Nabasu.
Also in attendance was Pastor Joshua Ezra Mallum, President of the Plateau-Bauchi Nigeria Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who applauded the Foundation for investing in the lives and future of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Two scholarship beneficiaries, Simon Laban, whose scholarship runs from 2026 to 2028, and Michael Gaskan, supported from 2026 to 2030, expressed gratitude to MATINAAH CARE FOUNDATION for giving them the opportunity to pursue their education.

The Foundation reiterated that, founded on the principles of integrity, accountability, compassion, and service, it remains committed to restoring hope, empowering orphaned children, and helping them build brighter futures.

MATINAAH CARE FOUNDATION is a Nigerian non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting orphans and vulnerable children through education, advocacy, mentorship, healthcare, and hope-driven interventions, working with communities, schools, and development partners to help children overcome adversity and realise their full potential.

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MATINAAH CARE FOUNDATION Inspires Orphans to Embrace Resilience at Jengre Conference