In the heart of Calabar, where the hum of life blends with the cries of the needy, one man walks the streets not with fanfare or fortune but with humility, purpose, and a burning compassion that has inspired the hope of survival for many, amidst the hard times. He is Reverend Father Emmanuel Bekomson, a Catholic Priest of the Archdiocese of Calabar and the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, located within the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
From the early hours of dawn until the quiet of the night, Father Bekomson, treads the dusty roads and narrow alleys, his cassock billowing in the breeze, hands full of food parcels, clothing, beverages, and monetary support, all for the forgotten, the homeless, the aged, and the destitute. He is a priest who not only preaches the Gospel but lives it in every deed, every step, every smile.
Under the umbrella of his charity organisation, INSPIRO, Father Bekomson feeds street children almost always, their laughter and gratitude remain enduring testimony to his boundless love. INSPIRO is more than a name. It is a movement of compassion, a flame lit in dark places and restoring dignity to those who feel discarded by the world.
Beyond feeding programmes, Father Bekomson has taken up the noble but arduous task of supporting struggling micro businesses. Whether it is a petty trader needing capital to restock her table, or a young man with a dream of launching a micro business, he lends a hand, not as a benefactor towering over them, but as a brother walking beside them. Dilapidated homes, worn by time and poverty, have also found hope in him, as he quietly renovates them and ensures that the vulnerable may live with a sense of security and pride once more.
At the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Father Emmanuel’s mission takes on a deeply sacramental tone. He moves from ward to ward, and administers the sacraments to the sick and dying, holding hands that tremble, praying with voices that fade. Many have received their final blessings from his lips, comforted not merely by the rites of the Church but by the cash gifts and practical support he offers in their time of need.
Father Bekomson’s ministry is tireless, his joy evident, yet the work is great. Too great for one man alone.
Given this background, to all men and women of goodwill, to those whose hearts stir at the sight of suffering, to those seeking a cause that changes lives tangibly, this is your call. Father Emmanuel Bekomson, through INSPIRO, is building something sacred not only in churches but in the streets, slums, hospitals, and hearts of Calabar and even beyond. He needs your support, your donations, your time, your talent, your prayers.
Join hands with him. Be a part of this mission. Help him clothe the naked, feed the hungry, comfort the sick, and restore the dreams of the poor. In a world aching for light, you too can be a spark with Father Bekomson, lighting the way.
For donations or to volunteer with INSPIRO, reach out today because together, we can make the world not only better, but holier.
For financial support, please make use of the account details below:
Zenith Bank – 1312187607
Globus Bank – 2003759710
Together, we can make our world a better place.
Anthony Ekpo Bassey, PhD is a Calabar-based Journalist.
