The Araceli Aid Foundation (AAF) celebrated a joyous occasion on February 25th, 2024, with the official opening of their staff quarters! This dedicated building will provide a comfortable and supportive environment for the dedicated team members of the AAF School

Opening

The ceremony began with an entrance led by the CEO of AAF, Reverend Father Christian Iroha. Joining him were Ms. Anne Rossmeier, the main sponsor, and Reverend Father Cornelius Ozochikelu. They were accompanied by a delegation of esteemed Redemptorist priests, including Fathers Uche O, John Chidi Nwafor, John Uke (Parish Priest for St. Paul’s Parish), and others.

Following the entrance, Rev Fr Cornelius also serving as the event’s Master of Ceremony, warmly welcomed the distinguished guests. He then introduced the Redemptorist priests present, their titles and positions echoing the importance of the occasion.

To officially begin the ceremony, Father Uche Obodoechina led a heartfelt opening prayer, setting the tone for a day filled with gratitude and blessings.

Following the opening prayer, Fr. Christian shared the inspiring story of Araceli Aid Foundation, emphasizing the importance of education and the vision for an “Ideal School” slated to open in September. According to him, AAF was first conceived and birthed through the necessary encouragement from Ms. Anne Rossmeier.

He further explained the meaning of the name and symbol of “Araceli” as “altar in the sky” and “one hand dropping love into another” respectively. The symbol represents God’s hand dropping love that is affecting the whole world and in essence, the Araceli Aid Foundation has been brought to life to reflect God’s love on earth. “We also have a lot of other things going on for Araceli like Social Support, Community Development, and Humanitarian Aid. However, with the education aspect, this project should be known as the ‘Ideal School’ and while this school is expected to resume in September, this ceremony is a step in the right direction.”

A Moment of Blessing

As an important part of the event, the Parish priest of the Obeagu Parish, Rev. Fr. Humphrey Ofor, blessed the water and salt to be used for blessing the staff quarters and the borehole. Following the blessing of water and salt, Fr Chidi Nwafor led the blessing of the staff quarters and borehole.

Cutting the Ribbon

Ms. Rossmeier alongside the priests present moved to cut the ribbon, thus; formally declaring the quarters open.

With the ribbon officially cut, Fr Christian invited Ms. Anne along with the priests and friends present on a tour of the staff quarters – dedicated spaces that would soon become home to the AAF’s school staff.

Expressing Gratitude

Following the insightful tour, Fr. Christian expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the guests present including the members of the staff of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State – Princesses Anthonia Egbosionu, Edith Egbononu, and Nwokike, who are also worthy stakeholders in the Education sector in the state.

Conclusion

Finally, the ceremony concluded with a closing prayer and blessings delivered by the Dean, Rev. Fr. Victor Ogboo Ubaka. This act left a lasting impression on all participants, solidifying the significance of the occasion and the collective commitment to nurturing the future through education.

Investing in the Future

This ceremony wasn’t just a celebration; it was a testament to your support. By contributing to the AAF, you’re not just building a building; you’re building a future of hope and opportunity for countless young individuals.

Join us in making a difference!

Your continued support allows us to invest in our staff and ensure they have the resources they need to thrive. Visit our website to learn more about our mission and how you can contribute to building a brighter tomorrow.