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Vineheritage Home
Saving God's Heritage
Email Address
contact@vineheritagehome.org
Phone Numbers
+2348034422935 +2348024343246 +2348056138523
Our Address
Plot E538, cadastral Zone 04-07, Behind CAMICS Estate, Kuje/G/lada Road, Abuja
OUR STORY
We believe that every journey is unique and beautiful, and we are thrilled to share ours with you.
The story of the rescue and rehabilitation of infants by the Vine Heritage Home Foundation is both inspiring and heartbreaking. It highlights the continued prevalence of harmful traditional practices in rural communities in Nigeria, despite efforts to eradicate them. While Nigerian historians have credited Mary Slessor with helping to eradicate the killing of twins in southern Nigeria, it is evident that much work remains to be done to eliminate these practices in other parts of the country.
In 1996, Pastor Stevens Olusola and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Chinwe Stevens, made a shocking discovery in some communities in Abuja, Nigeria. They uncovered the harrowing practice of infanticide, targeting twins, albinos, children born with deformities, and those who lost their mothers during childbirth or breastfeeding. Motivated by a deep sense of compassion, Pastor Stevens and Dr. Chinwe Stevens took a stand against this tragic injustice. In 2004, they founded the Vine Heritage Home Foundation, with a steadfast vision to rescue, foster, and reunite these affected children with their families, whenever they are ready to accept them.
Driven by their unwavering commitment, Pastor Stevens and Dr. Chinwe Stevens embarked on a journey to protect the most vulnerable members of society. With the establishment of the Vine Heritage Home Foundation, they sought to create a haven of love, care, and support for children who have been abandoned or rejected due to their circumstances. Their ultimate goal was to reunite these children with their biological families, facilitating an environment where love and acceptance could flourish.
To amplify their impact, Vine Heritage Home Foundation actively sought collaborations with like-minded organizations. In 2014, they partnered with Amnesty International on a groundbreaking project. The joint efforts led to eight communities confirming their commitment to ending the practice of infanticide. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the fight against this devastating tradition.
Continuing the mission, Vine Heritage Home Foundation collaborated with the European Union in conjunction with Action Aid Nigeria from 2019 to 2022. Through this partnership, they successfully reunited 12 children with their families. Additionally, a comprehensive complex was constructed, providing a safe and nurturing environment for over 170 children, including over 20 infants. More than 140 children currently receive education in pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, ensuring their holistic development.
Central to Vine Heritage Home Foundation’s work is the immediate rescue and protection of at-risk children. Through coordinated efforts with local authorities, social workers, and community members, children facing the threat of infanticide are promptly identified and safely brought under the foundation’s care. This intervention ensures that these vulnerable lives are shielded from harm and provided with the attention and care they desperately need.
While Vine Heritage Home Foundation provides a temporary home for these children, the ultimate aim is to reintegrate them into their biological families. Understanding the importance of family ties, the foundation offers counseling, educational programs, and community engagement to facilitate the reconciliation process. By addressing the root causes of infanticide and fostering a culture of acceptance, Vine Heritage Home Foundation paves the way for families to embrace their children and rebuild their lives together.
Picture Story
Picture of Twins from Gbangade
One of the twins was poisoned first, can you notice the poisoned very different from the other?
MABEL AND BETHEL
They were brought by their parents and resident missionary from Kaida village, a community in The FCT
PAUL AND BARNABAS
Barnabas was denied breast milk and likely poisoned before they were rescued
It is heartening to know that all the rescued children now live at the Vine Heritage Home Foundation. The rehabilitation center provides them with a safe and nurturing environment where they can receive the care and support they need to recover from the trauma of their experiences. The children are provided with shelter, food, clothing, and medical care, as well as access to education and vocational training.
The fact that all the rescued children now live at the home underscores the need for continued efforts to prevent these harmful practices in Nigeria’s rural communities. It is essential to promote awareness of the negative impact of these practices on children and their families and to engage with community leaders and other stakeholders to promote positive change. The fact that all the rescued children were transferred to the Vine Heritage Home Foundation within a few hours after birth to 5 months old, and have remained in the home with some of them now in their teens, underscores the urgency of the situation. It is heartbreaking to think that so many infants are at risk of being deliberately killed in these communities. The traditional beliefs that drive these practices are deeply ingrained and difficult to eradicate, but it is essential to continue to work towards eliminating them.
TWIN ALTERS OF THE BASSA PEOPLE
The reasons why children in these communities are at risk of being deliberately killed are varies. As mentioned earlier, the belief that a child born after the death of a mother or while nursing the baby is evil and must be killed is prevalent in these communities. This belief would have led to the killing of over 70% of the children currently living in the Vine Heritage Home Foundation. The killing of infants with twins and other forms of multiple birth is also common in these communities, as they are considered abominations and associated with evil. About 80% of over 200 children currently residing at the home were rescued for this reason.
The Potochi (Masquerade) that is used to snatch the children from their mothers
Other traditional bases for infanticides in these native communities include the growth of the upper teeth before the lower teeth in infants, the sacrifice of infants to local deities for a bountiful agricultural harvest, and children born with defects. These beliefs and practices are deeply rooted in the culture and tradition of these communities, but it is essential to engage with community leaders and other stakeholders to promote positive change.
The Vine Heritage Home Foundation is determined to work with the government, local communities, and all other stakeholders to eliminate harmful practices and provide support to children and families in need. The foundation’s efforts to provide rehabilitation and reintegration services to rescued children are commendable, and they serve as a model for other organizations and individuals who wish to contribute to the elimination of harmful practices in Nigeria.