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#Play4Change Fundraiser Novelty Match in Honor Of Ebola Fallen Heroes (with Photos) | @HouseOnTheRockC

On Saturday, 8th November, The Young Executives (Teen Church) of The House On The Rock Church played host to #Play4Change, a novelty match fundraiser in honour of Nigeria’s fallen heroes and health workers who sacrificed their lives in the process of containing the deadly EBOLA virus, which threatened our country recently.

The fundraiser was set to raise a minimum of Two (2) Million Naira, with all the proceeds realized from the event, donated to the families of Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, Dr Amos Abaniwo, Nurse Justina Ejelonu and Mrs. Ukoh, the ward maid who attended to the index case, Mr. Patrick Sawyer.

It was an inspiring event, which had in attendance families of these health workers, health professionals and workers at the First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, representatives from the Ebola Containment Trust Fund, journalists amongst others.

The Novelty Match

11 Organizations, 66 Players, 1 Cause

There were three different matches featuring players from 11 organizations, with each team comprising of boys and girls from participating organizations. Team Adadevoh contended with Team Abaniwo in the first round, which ended in penalty kicks with Team Adadevoh making it to the final rounds.

The next round had Team Ejelonu battle with Team Ukoh, with Team Ukoh making it to the finals.

Team Adadevoh won the novelty match, and all teams received the AGILE Hero Award to be presented to the families of the honoured heroes.

The AGILE Initiative

The #Play4Change initiative was suggested and largely organized by The Young Executives (Teens Church) of House On The Rock Church, under the banner of AGILE philosophy which seeks to entrench the values of Awareness, Graciousness, Innovation, Leadership and Excellence in the Nigerian youth.

Mrs. Shade (Coordinator, The Young Executives HOTR)

Coordinator of the Young Executives, HOTR, Mrs. Shade shared with Praiseworld Radio the idea behind the AGILE initiative, stating that “AGILE is a movement, a lifestyle. The #Play4Change idea was raised to create awareness, and bring out the leadership skills in the teenagers as the thought of some teenagers who must have lost a dear one in all of the saga kept going through their minds. They decided as a church to do something, to be gracious to the families of these fallen heroes.”

She appreciated the teenagers, Church, parents, friends, the media and all who have supported the course so far.

Pastor Goke Coker (#GodFessions; Associate Pastor, HOTR)

Praiseworld Radio also spotted Pastor Goke Coker, The ‘GodFather’ of the prophetic devotions / declarations show, #GodFessions who speaking on the event, stated that the Young Executives idea was touching and amazing. Sitting in the midst of the families of honoured heroes, he thought about the fact that people really do care, which is really encouraging. Stigmatism has been managed and the church is standing on the fore front in the fight against Ebola and is ready to support the families of those who stood their grounds through this fight.

He thanked God for the Federal and State Government, the Church and everyone who has helped in curbing the disease, stating that it took exactly 90 days for the WHO to declare Nigeria Ebola free.

Going forward, he called out to Nigerians to support the families of those who have lost dear ones to the benefit of Nigeria, because they need all the support we can give.

Dr. Roberts (Health Director HOTR) with Pastor Ikemefuna

Speaking with Dr. Roberts, Health Director, HOTR and Member, Ebola Containment Trust Fund, she mentioned that she’s not in any way surprised at what the youth of the church pulled off, as they are called out to live the AGILE philosophy, which they have truly demonstrated and there is room for more improvement.

Nigeria is a great country, she said, also giving kudos to the health workers who constantly put their lives on the line, stating that when people go into the medical profession, it is not about the money, but for the passion for lives and the readiness to do all they can to carry out their calling.

It is her hope that fellow Nigerians will take the challenge to respect and care for health officials who put their lives on the line whilst making Nigeria a better place, as ebola is not the only menace that these health workers have had to contend with but we have also succeeded in winning the fight against polio amongst others.

#Play4Change was a huge success, as the Church was able to exceed the targeted amount from the fundraiser which indeed depicts that Nigeria cares that the “Labours of our heroes past are never in vain”

Share in the fun-time we had at #Play4Change by checking out extracts from our photo book below: