2009 ANNUAL CHARITY CONVENTION ADDRESS

An address presented by me, Barr. Sunny Ezurike the chief executive officer of Redemption International for the Blind, an international non profit-making charitable organisation on this occasion of her first charity convention holding here in Owerri, the Imo State capital this day, the 4TH of September, 2009. Members of the Press, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, All other protocols duly observed. I have the singular honour and privilege to welcome you all to this epoch-making event. On behalf of the members of our board of directors, I humbly thank you for finding time to be physically present to witness this historic event. It is historic because this is the first of its kind in Imo State to be championed by someone who is himself visually challenged. It is my unquenchable love for charity that is behind all this; my love for humanity. I am humble enough to admit that but for charity, I would not be where I am today and I am happy to spend the rest of my life serving humanity and giving to charity. I am persuaded that this is one sure way through which I can practically demonstrate my appreciation of God’s unmerited love and mercy towards my family and I. Time will fail me if I begin to narrate my various encounters with life. Worthy of note however is that each time I appear to be at cross-routes, whenever it seems that all hope is dashed, at the very moment when my strength begins to wax cold, charity steps in, bringing with it succour and relief. In the course of my stay in Aberdeen, just about the time when I had only 1 pence left in my account, it took charity to remedy the situation; A Whiteman that I never knew from Adam to get going. Notwithstanding the seemingly herculean tasks that confronted me, it is soothing to note that Rev. Chris Wood stood by me all through. Today, I proudly hold a Master of Laws Degree in Human Rights from the University Of Aberdeen, Scotland. You may also with to know that I am currently pursuing my doctorate degree in Human Rights in the London campus of the Trinity Southwest University; all due to charity. It is encouraging to note that charity is able to remedy all situations no matter how dire. Charity can drive hunger and place food on your table, charity can cover your shame and your nakedness, charity can lead you far beyond your present imaginations, charity is selfless and it does not seek of its own. Today’s convention is a direct beneficiary and practical example of what charity can do. But for few items donated by some of our directors and friends, every other facility that will be given out today was bought using my own money. Also, that the convention itself is a reality is because I have chosen to underwrite the entire cost. I urge you to accept us as we are. Please bear all our shortcomings and accommodate all our weaknesses and failures. You can be rest assured that next year’s convention will be a lot better. We have such facilities as guide canes, colour detector, talking bibles, bibles in print, talking wrist watches, talking clocks, voice recorder, dolphin pen, signature guide and laptop with full version of JAWS For Windows among other things. Please ensure that you make good use of whatever you receive from Redemption International. Before I conclude this address, permit me to place on records the incredible support I received from my beloved wife, Mrs. Vivian Ezurike. May I also thank all the other members of the board of directors in the UK; Rev. Chris Wood, Dr. Nathan Oparaeche, Victor John Tibbit and Cyprian Okeke. My friends Festus Asemota of the Irish/Nigerian Association and Philip Isiaka for all their donations. Once again, thank you all for coming. God bless you and thank you. Written by: Sunny Ezurike.