GUS 8 contestants show love to orphans @ Heart of Gold orphanage

...and they also donated foodstuff

By Samod Biobaku

Sixthsense34@yahoo.com

Driven by their individual desires to give back to the society shortly after counting their blessings at the last edition of the reality TV show, Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS), the contestants recently converged at the Heart of Gold Orphanage in Lagos to spend quality time with the orphans therein.

Not too long ago, they faced the gruelling physical tasks in the rugged Ososo hills and forest of Edo State.

As contestants in the Gulder Ultimate Search, they were selected amongst thousands. Under the sun and rain, they battled for the coveted prize of Ultimate Hero. And though only one emerged as champion, they were all counted as winners, having had the privilege of contesting in the prestigious competition.

But on this day, they put away their garbs of celebrity in order to give back to the society. It was a day of joy for children of the Heart of Gold Hospice, a Lagos based orphanage, as some contenders of the recently ended Gulder Ultimate Search paid a courtesy visit to the orphanage.

Leading the delegation was the winner of the reality TV show, Christopher Okagbue, accompanied by five other contestants. Looking dapper in their GUS branded suits, the delegation, made up of Samuel Lazarus, Franklin Enearu, Kevin Durst, Kikelomo Ajayi, Sandra Iwu, took time out to interact with the kids of the orphanage. The team, who were received by the founder of the Heart of Gold orphanage, Mrs. Adelaja Adedoyin, brought food stuffs and materials for the children. They were taken on a tour of the premises by Mrs. Adedoyin after which they presented the relief materials.

Speaking on the reason for the visit, Okagbue stated that the delegation came to spread the message of love to the children. “We understand that there are less privileged members of the society amongst us, especially the younger ones so we decided to come and spread the message of love to them,” he said.

According to him, the purpose of the visit was for the contenders in the reality show to give back to the society. “This is our little way of giving back to the society. We consider this as our widow’s mite to the society. While we are happy with our performance in the Gulder Ultimate Search, we also want to share our joys with these orphans and less privileged children,” he added.

Obviously delighted by the reception from the staff and the children in the orphanage, Okagbue promised that the visit would be a continuous exercise:  “We are touched by the reception that we received here. We are going to make sure that we continue to do more for these kids. This will not be a one off thing. We are going to ensure that we reach out not only in kids in this place but in other orphanages,” he said.

Okagbue further explained that the six contenders were representing the entire Gulder Ultimate Search team that contested in the recently ended competition. “We may be six here today but we come with the wishes of our fellow contenders who are not here. Be rest assured that we represent the entire batch of contenders in the 2011 Gulder Ultimate Search,” he added.

In her response, Mrs. Adelaja Adedoyin expressed gratitude for the Gulder Ultimate Search delegation for the visit, saying that their visit would gladden the hearts of the children. “I want to say that I am very gladdened that you would make time to come and visit us. Indeed, your visit has gladdened the hearts of the kids in this orphanage. You possibly won’t know what this visit means to us,” she said.

While she thanked them for the visit, she said their presence was a sign that they felt the plight of the physically challenged children and orphans. “The truth is that you would have sent these materials over to us but you decided to come here in person. It shows that you feel the plights of these kids in spite of your celebrity status. That is really commendable,” she said.

She also encouraged the team to pay visits to other orphanages to replicate the gesture. “I am happy that you said you would visit other orphanages. I want to encourage you to fulfil that promise because there are kids out there that need this same help,” she stated.