Onyinyeomachukwu Empowerment Foundation has offered scholarships to one hundred (100) indigent pupils of Living Christ Nursery and Primary School, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The foundation also donated healthy living materials, such as toilet tissues, toothbrushes, hand sanitisers, hand washers, and closed-up kits, to 700 pupils in the school.
The Foundation equally launched its Health Post and Nature Mother Nature Initiative (Save the Mother Earth) programmes on the school premises to promote healthy living among the students, staff, and Onitsha residents at large.
The launching ceremony was performed by the State Governor’s wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo, represented by the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (APHDA), Pharm. Chisom Uchem.
The event took place at the school premises on Friday.
Founder of the foundation, Amb. Onyinye Gift Uwaechia said in her welcome address that the foundation would cater for all the 100 indigent pupils, their textbooks, school fees, exam fees, and their uniforms from nursery one to primary six.
Uwaechia said the foundation embarked on the humanitarian service to empower and encourage poor children in their educational pursuits.
She said the act would further put smiles on the pupils’ faces, especially those who did not have anyone to assist them in achieving their dreams.
“This is why we are here today to assist them in our own God-giving way and as a foundation that was established for the sake of humanity.
“We will take care of them by providing their school fees and other materials throughout their nursery and primary education.
“As we progress, we hope to expand it to accommodate other pupils,” she noted.
“Onyinyeomachukwu Empowerment Foundation is a non-governmental organisation that was created from a burning desire to impact positively the less privileged and society at large.
“The act of giving has always been my second nature, and I have always desired a society where everyone will have equal access to food, affordable water, and the basic needs of life.
“Our mission and vision are to continue to have a positive impact on people’s lives and to be the reason many people who would have given up on life will see reasons to live a happier and more fulfilled life. It is because of the aforementioned that the Onyinyeomachukwu Empowerment Foundation was inaugurated.
“The Foundation has since 2016 rallied around the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, especially goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 16, and 17.
“The Foundation’s activities are not just limited to Anambra State; they cut across tribes, communities, and states. The goal is to positively impact and empower as many people as possible, one at a time, hence the slogan “EMPOWERONE.”
“The vision and mission of the foundation have been replicated in Abaji, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where cash donations and food items were distributed to the less privileged. We were also at the Zango-Kataf community in Kaduna State, where we distributed humanitarian items such as food items, clothing, and cash. We even went as far as renovating and refurbishing the primary school in the same community.
“The Foundation was not left out during the COVID-19 palliative donations and many other engagements, she noted.
The philanthropist explained further that they chose the school because they identified poor children there, adding, “Looking at them, you will see that they need help.”
She revealed that when the lives of such children were touched by a little assistance, society would be better for all to live in peace and harmony.
According to her, when they drop out of school because of one challenge or another, they will definitely join bad groups, and this will in turn affect society.
She, however, appealed to the beneficiaries to be focused on their studies, stressing that “they don’t have any excuse to make as to who will pay their school fees or buy other school requirements.”
Commending the foundation for founding the school worthy to benefit from its scholarship programme, the State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Agha-Mba, said the state government under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo will partner with the foundation to achieve its set goals in the state.
He called on other NGOs to emulate Amb. Uwaechia for a better society.
A beneficiary and a primary four pupil, Chidozie Christian, who spoke on behalf of others, described the scholarship as a dream come true.
He prays to God to continue to bless the benefactor, Amb. Uwaechia.
He also promised that they would all study harder to achieve their dreams.
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