About Us
House of Mercy Children’s Home, Lagos (HOM) is actively involved in various charitable activities for street children, child beggars, child scavengers and other needy and vulnerable children.
All children need the basics of life like food, warmth, shelter and clothing but they also need to feel loved and secure. We provide these services and are dedicated to continuing to care for every child who needs us.
Our motto is “Touching Lives, One Child at a Time”.
Timeline
2006
Founded in October 2006, HOM started off by assisting homeless boys and girls living under the Adeniji Adele bridge in Lagos State. The children were provided with free meals, clothing, emergency medical care, drug counselling and friendship.
2007
HOM began to cater for child scavengers at the Igando garbage dumpsite in Lagos State. The children were provided with free meals and first aid services.
HOM also began to provide support for child beggars at the beggars’ camp in the Ebute-Metta area in Lagos State. A regular mobile school was established for the children. They were also provided with free meals, clothes and first aid services.
2008
HOM commenced a project to “Bring Education to the Doorsteps” of unschooled child beggars by conducting literacy classes at the beggars’ camp in Lagos State for 200 child beggars. The informal literacy classes which comprised girls (55%) and children with physical disabilities and severe learning disabilities were organised both in Hausa, their mother language, and English.
The non-formal education programme made education available and accessible to children withheld from school because they had to beg to provide income for their disabled or impoverished parents. The children were divided into 3 classes: kindergarten, primary and school drop outs.
2010
HOM initiated a school sponsorship programme for disadvantaged children, in particular girls, whose families could not afford to send them to school. A considerable number of the child beggars attending the literacy classes were channelled into the mainstream educational system through the sponsorship programme.
2011
In March 2011, HOM set up a home for homeless street boys in order to rescue and rehabilitate street children living under bridges, at motor parks and on the beaches in Lagos State.
2013
In January 2013, HOM established a home for girls at-risk.
2015
HOM extended the reach of its services to child beggars at the beggars’ camp in Ibadan, Oyo State by providing free nutritious meals, clothing, shoes, diapers and educational assistance.
2016
HOM distributed insecticide-treated mosquito nets to needy and vulnerable children in Lagos State and Oyo State along with the appropriate training and use of the nets.
2016
HOM launched a Children’s Library on International Literacy Day.
2017
Outreach programme for children at Radev Early Education Centre, Leper Colony, Iberekodo, Abeokuta in Ogun State.
2018
Publication of a video entitled ‘Stop Child Abuse‘ in English and French aimed at protecting children from childhood sexual abuse including incest, physical abuse and neglect; combating the various forms of injustice, violence and deprivation inflicted upon so many children in different settings (home, school, community, religious institutions, humanitarian crises etc.); and changing mindsets and social norms that tolerate violence against children. Toll Free Rescue Lines for child abuse and domestic violence reporting and information on how to report suspected child abuse and neglect are available on our website.
2018
Launch of our « Africa, Wake Up! » campaign against poverty and injustice in English and French. Our video titled « Africa, Wake Up! » is available is available on YouTube.
2019
Publication of a video on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2019, showcasing the ground-breaking work being done by some of our partners in Democratic Republic of Congo.
2019
Launch of our « Africa, Wake Up! » campaign against poverty and injustice in Portuguese.
2019
Outreach programme with fun activities and donations of food items, hygiene kits, clothes, children’s shoes and school supplies to poor and disadvantaged children in Lagos State on Children’s Day, May 27, 2019.
2019
Launch of our « Africans United for Peace » campaign in response to the overwhelming Refugee/IDP crisis in Africa.
2020
Publication of a video on International Mother Language Day, February 21, 2020, advocating for the right of African children (out-of-school children, children from nomadic communities, children from linguistic, ethnic, or cultural minorities, refugees and displaced children, former child soldiers and other marginalised children particularly in the rural areas) who have been excluded from educational opportunities to education in their mother tongue.
2020
Ogun State Outreach: Distribution of baby care items, food items, toiletries, hygiene kits and ankara fabrics to vulnerable children, destitute families, the elderly and disabled persons in Ogun State.
2020
Publication of a video on Child Hygiene and Sanitation in English, French and Portuguese on World Water Day, March 22, 2020.
2020
Publication of a video featuring a comprehensive compilation of Mental Health and Wellness Resources in English, French and Portuguese for Children, Youth and Adults.
2020
Publication of a video on International Workers’ Day, May 1, 2020, featuring resources in English, French and Portuguese focused on providing solutions to youth unemployment in Africa and related challenges.
2020
Publication of a video on Africa Day, May 25, 2020, featuring books by African authors, academics, experts and practitioners in English, French and Portuguese addressing the root causes of the challenges faced by the African continent and its people and providing practical solutions to each of the challenges.
2020
COVID-19 Relief: Distribution of washable and reusable cloth face masks, hygiene kits, shoes, clothing and food items to vulnerable children and destitute families in Lagos State.
2020
Publication of a video on the Day of the African Child, June 16, 2020, aimed at raising awareness about the important role that adults and communities play in supporting children and youth, especially those who are facing adverse circumstances.
2020
Publication of a video titled Justice and Reparations as a sequel to our videos on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Arab-led slavery of Africans and our Africa, Wake Up campaign against poverty and injustice. The Justice and Reparations video features resources in English, French and Portuguese by African, African-American, Afro-Brazilian, Guyanese, Martiniquan, Barbadian, Trinidadian, Afro-Iraqi historians, researchers, experts and writers advocating for justice and reparations for victims of the Arab-led slavery of Africans, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the Herero and Nama genocide in Namibia, the genocide in the Congo Free State, conquest, carnage, apartheid and colonialism. #LestWeForget
2020
World Food Day Outreach on October 16, 2020: Distribution of food items to residents of the Old People’s Home and poor and vulnerable children and destitute families in Lagos State. A playlist of our food distribution activities on World Food Day is available on our YouTube channel.
2020
Publication of a video on Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security, October 30, 2020 featuring books by African authors, academics, experts and practitioners in English and French focused on providing practical solutions to meeting the food security needs of all Africans.
2020
Infection Prevention and Control: Publication of a video to raise awareness about the importance of hand-washing with soap and water as one of the most effective and affordable health interventions.
2021
Launch of our African Renaissance initiative.
2021
Launch of an Education Sponsorship Programme for children from impoverished families in Ogun state on Children’s Day – Nigeria, May 27, 2021 including distribution of food items, clothes, shoes and school supplies to poor and disadvantaged children.
2021
Solidarity with Haitian Children: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme on Children’s Day – Haiti, June 10, 2021.
2021
Digital Literacy: Publication of a video promoting digital literacy skills for students while stressing the importance of Digital Literacy in Education.
2021
World Food Day Outreach on October 16, 2021: Distribution of food items to poor and vulnerable children and destitute families. A playlist of our food distribution activities on World Food Day is available on our YouTube channel.
2021
Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security: Publication of a video on Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security, October 30, 2021 titled Lake Chad Basin Food Crisis calling attention to the tragic plight of millions of children, women and men in the Lake Chad region who suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition.
2021
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women & Girls: Publication of a video titled “Stop violence against Girls” on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women & Girls, November 25, 2021, to sensitise and mobilise communities to take concrete action against the abuse and exploitation of girls such as school kidnappings, forced domestic servitude, child marriage, child prostitution, child pornography, child trafficking, traditional harmful practices and sexual violence committed against girls during armed conflicts.
2021
Christmas Solidarity with IDPs in the Northeast region of Nigeria: A playlist of our Christmas Events for Children including some of our actions of solidarity towards impoverished youth, widows and destitute families at Christmas is available on our YouTube Channel.
2022
Solidarity with Togolese Children: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme in Lomé, Togo on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2022.
2022
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Publication of a poem titled “Lord, why did you make me Black” by RuNett Nia Ebo on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21, 2022. “Lord, why did you make me Black?” is also available in French, Spanish and Portuguese.
2022
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace: Publication of a video on International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, April 6, 2022, showcasing African children and youth from different communities engaging in different types of sports.
2022
World Sickle Cell Day: On World Sickle Cell Day, June 19, 2022, we launched an educational video designed to create awareness about Sickle Cell Anaemia. Our objective being to increase public knowledge and understanding of Sickle Cell Anaemia and Sickle Cell Trait with the expected outcome of reducing the number of babies born with Sickle Cell Anaemia.
2022
Solidarity with Haitian Children: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme on Children’s Day – Haiti, June 10, 2022.
2022
Solidarity with Congolese Children: Organisation of a Back-to-School programme with the distribution of school supplies to needy children on August 25, 2022.
2022
World Food Day outreach on October 16, 2022: Distribution of food items to poor and vulnerable children and destitute families. A playlist of our food distribution activities on World Food Day is available on our YouTube channel.
2022
Solidarity with Kenyan Children: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme to mark Universal Children’s Day, November 20, 2022.
2022
Solidarity with Brazilian Children: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme for children in Brazil in November 2022.
2023
Solidarity with Children of Côte d’Ivoire: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme to mark Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2023.
2023
Solidarity with Children of Mali: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme during Ramadan in April 2023.
2023
Solidarity with Children of Tanzania: Distribution of food items to children in two orphanages in Tanzania on Union Day, April 26, 2023.
2023
Solidarity with IDP Children, northeast Nigeria: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme for internally displaced children in northeast region of Nigeria on Children’s Day – Nigeria, May 27, 2023.
2023
International Albinism Awareness Day: On International Albinism Awareness Day, June 13, 2023, we launched an educational video designed to create awareness about albinism and dispel the myths and beliefs surrounding children and people with albinism.
2023
Solidarity with Haitian Children: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme on Children’s Day – Haiti, June 10, 2023.
2023
Ogun State Outreach: Distribution of food items, clothing, shoes and back-to-school supplies to vulnerable children, destitute families, the elderly and disabled persons in Ogun State.
2023
International Literacy Day 2023: Provision of essential financial support to underprivileged parents, enabling the education dream of their children to become a reality.
2023
World Food Day 2023: We celebrated World Food Day on October 16, 2023 with a special initiative dedicated to supporting children with disabilities. We organised a school feeding programme and provided nutritious meals to students at the Ibadan School for the Deaf and the Ibadan School for the Blind. Additionally, a playlist of our food distribution activities on World Food Day is available on our YouTube channel.
2023
Solidarity with Children of Gabon: Organisation of a Child Feeding Programme for Orphans in Libreville, Gabon to commemorate Universal Children’s Day, November 20, 2023.
2023
Christmas Compassion: Distribution of food items to children in need and vulnerable families.
2023
Child Feeding Drive, Akwa Ibom state: provision of nourishing meals to underprivileged or needy children in December 2023.
2024
Solidarity with the Children of the Republic of Benin: Implementation of a Child Feeding Initiative for Needy and Underprivileged Children in Abomey-Calavi.
2024
Solidarity with Children of Uganda: Organisation of a school feeding programme for children in Nantabulirwa, Uganda in February 2024.
2024
Operation Hunger Relief: Distribution of essential food items to support vulnerable children and families experiencing hunger and extreme poverty amid challenging economic conditions in Nigeria.
2024
World Health Day: On April 7, 2024, we unveiled an educational video to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in children. Our goal is to enhance public understanding, ultimately reducing the number of babies born with HIV/AIDS.
2024
Hope and Joy: Children’s Day for IDP Heroes: On May 27, 2024, Children’s Day – Nigeria we celebrated the resilience and courage of our young heroes at the “Hope and Joy” event. The day was filled with smiles, laughter, and shared meals, creating unforgettable memories for our brave internally displaced children (IDP children) in the northeast region of Nigeria. This event honored their strength and inspired hope for a brighter future.
2024
Solidarity with Haitian Children: Organisation of the 4th Annual Child Feeding Programme in Commemoration of Children’s Day – Haiti, June 9, 2024. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to contributing to the health and well-being of children in Haiti. Over the past three years, this programme has provided much-needed nutritional support to Haitian children, and we look forward to continuing this tradition of solidarity.
2024
Solidarity with the Children of Burkina Faso: Provision of essential meals to needy children and their families, offering vital support and nourishment to the community.
2024
Holiday Tech Adventures: Free computer lessons for children during the school holidays to help them explore technology and develop digital skills.
2024
Food Donation Programme: Launched in March 2024 as part of our Operation Hunger Relief, this initiative provides monthly food donations to support vulnerable children, families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, including those who are lame, blind, or mute, facing hunger, hardship, and extreme poverty amid the challenging economic conditions in Nigeria.
2024
Back-to-School Support: Launched in 2007 as a key part of our Child Education Programme, this initiative offers crucial financial aid to parents with disabilities and those in need. By covering essential school expenses, we ensure that these children can step into the classroom and pursue their education, unlocking a brighter future.
2024
World Afro Day: On September 15, 2024, in celebration of World Afro Day, we released a video highlighting a diverse array of hairstyles spanning from ancient times in Kemet (Ancient Egypt) to contemporary styles across Africa and the Diaspora. This video serves as a tribute to the rich cultural heritage and evolution of Afro hair, showcasing its beauty and diversity over time.
2011-2024
HOM has been contributing to ongoing efforts to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to children and families in crisis in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, Ebola affected nations, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Northeast region of Nigeria since 2011.