The “L” in HEAL stands for LIFE. Vice President of HEAL, and Founder of the Compassionate Home, Leo Okonkwo, believes strongly in the innate dignity of each human life, made in the Imago Dei (Gen. 1:26-27). If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have dedicated his life and wealth to providing crucial life services to the oppressed poor children and widows of his native land. HEAL’s commitment to life motivates us to seek partners in our “conspiracy” to enhance each vulnerable human life in Africa.
Some of you are probably familiar with the pro-life ministry 40 Days for Life, an organization that prays in peaceful protest outside abortion clinics all over America and in other countries. 40 Days has had remarkable success in helping women in troubled circumstances make the right decision for life. Believe it or not, 40 Days has a chapter in Abuja, Nigeria and HEAL has been in correspondence with the local leaders. One of them, a young woman named Kelechi, visited the Compassionate Home last month.
Kelechi met with Leo, the children, and Sr. Ann, MOJ, who works as the chief caregiver at the Home. Ideas for collaboration were shared and HEAL plans to work with 40 Days in Abuja by opening the Home to troubled pregnant women who may need shelter and other necessities during their crisis pregnancy. HEAL also stands firmly for every life in the womb and the urgent needs of their mothers. For this reason, we are blessed to have a partner like Kelechi and her team in Abuja.
You are our partners for life also. I don’t speak primarily of a financial partnership, but of your spiritual and moral support of the HEAL mission. We need partners who help with their prayers, their connections, and their ideas just as much as with their donations. So, please, in your understanding of our needs as I’ve conveyed them to you, think of creative ways to help us or introduce us to people who can be valuable partners in our cause for life in a part of the world ignored by man, but precious to God.