Life is a precious gift from God, yet many people are unable to enjoy even the basic necessities of life. Every day, countless individuals struggle to find food to eat, clean water to drink, clothes to wear, and a safe place to rest. As Christians, we are reminded in the Gospel of Matthew 25 that whatever we do for the least among us, we do for Christ Himself. With this understanding, on the 13th of May 2026, we, two sisters and the Postulants from Ogbomoso in Nigeria began preparations for an outreach program aimed at bringing joy and relief to the less privileged in our community. The spirit of charity and sacrifice guided our efforts as we prepared food with love and compassion. Tomatoes were ground, meat was cooked, and despite limited resources—including running out of firewood in the postulant house—we continued the work with determination.
On the morning of 14th May 2026, the real preparation began at about 9:00 a.m. The postulants carefully picked the rice to ensure it was clean and presentable. While cutting onions brought tears to many eyes, the atmosphere remained joyful and united. The aroma of the spices and ingredients filled the surroundings, reminding us that we were preparing not just a meal, but a sign of hope and love for those in need. After cooking, the food was neatly packaged in takeaway plates and accompanied with sachets of water. Though we hurried to prepare ourselves for the outing, some delays caused us to leave later than planned. By 12:46 p.m., we arrived at Starlight after discovering that our first destination, Sabo Junction, had fewer people in need than expected. At Starlight, we encountered a heartbreaking reality. The number of people in need—especially children—was overwhelming. We had prepared 61 plates of food and a few packets of water, though our original plan was to make 100 plates. As we distributed the meals, one question remained in our hearts: “Will this food be enough for everyone?”
Sadly, it was not enough. Many children were unable to receive a plate of food, and some people only asked for water to drink. Seeing such suffering touched us deeply. Yet, despite the disappointment, something remarkable happened. As we prepared to leave, the children who had received food waved joyfully at us with smiles on their faces. Their happiness brought joy to our hearts and reminded us that even small acts of kindness can make a difference. This outreach was truly a bitter-sweet experience. It was sweet because we were able to put smiles on the faces of many people through our little sacrifices during the Lenten season. It was bitter because the needs of the people were far greater than what we could provide.
Nevertheless, the experience strengthened our understanding of Christian charity and the teachings of the Church, especially the call to care for the poor and vulnerable. We were reminded that helping others is not only about giving from abundance, but also about sharing from the little we have with love. As Scripture says in Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” We pray that God will continue to bless and inspire more people to extend love, kindness, and support to those in need, so that together we may become instruments of hope in a world filled with suffering.
DHS Postulate Formation House
