18 December 2014 - The Philippine Embassy officers and staff spread Christmas cheer to the children of Bema Homes for the less privileged in Abuja, Nigeria on December 12.

Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid headed the Embassy team that participated in the annual Christmas Program of Bema Homes by donating foodstuffs and offering cooked meals for the children. The Embassy’s gesture was met with appreciation and gratitude from Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Jereke, Director and Chair of the children center.

When asked why the Embassy continuously supports the center, Ambassador Lamadrid said that his friendship with the Jereke couple and the belief in the worthy causes of the center, particularly the center’s focus on educating the children, brought his desire to help.

Ambassador Lamadrid’s words were echoed by other guests and patrons who were also present at the program that had Bema Homes pupils performing various Christmas presentations to the delight of the audience and Embassy staff.

Bema Homes has been a recipient of the Embassy’s outreach programs and has been invited to bazaars organized at the Embassy by Department of Foreign Affairs Ladies Foundation (DFALF) Abuja Chapter and the Filipino community, to sell the products and handicrafts made by the children, in support of the skills development thrust of the center. 

Bema Homes was founded in September 2001 by Mrs. Benedicta C. Jereke. The center is committed to the total care of the education of the young people particularly orphans and the less privileged children. END