Nursery 3!

 Hi guys. It's been a year since I last updated the blog. Hmm...not sure what reason to give though but a lot has happened. Well, I'm back on it again.

Moving ahead, the kids have started Nursery 3! They resumed 22 September, 2014. Their 3rd term result for last year was excellent. I couldn't be more proud of them. They're doing very well in their home and are excited about Nursery 3! Their 1st term fees have been paid already. Thank God.

There was no fundraising in 2014. However, it will not be the same from now on.:)

I am appealing to everyone to please contribute towards these children. By this time next year they'll be in primary school. How exciting is that?
Please guys, like I always say, no amount is too little. We need to raise money for 2nd and 3rd term fees and also to plan for primary school. There's no better time to start donating than now.
If you're not sure of how to donate or where to pay, please refer to the bank details on the blog or contact me.
I've never touched a dime meant for these kids and so every money donated will go straight towards their education.

I'll continue to sponsor these children and more to come for as long as I'm able and you're willing to sponsor. There's no set time to stop. Just in case you were wondering...

Thanks guys in advance for all your support.

My dream is to see a little Orphan embrace the love of total strangers and still feel safe in it.

Breezy + charity?? Yes!...:)

I'm sure the name Chris Brown rings more than a bell to most of us. His infamous assault to Rhianna in 2009 has cost him so much.  He's now the public face of domestic violence.
Well, Breezy decided to make something positive out of all the drama. He may never be forgiven for his violent behavior but can we be positive for  a minute and give him a chance to prove himself?

Since the incident, the Grammy Award winner has taken steps to become a stronger, more responsible person, trying to make amends for his past, and promising himself and the watching world never to turn his loved ones into victims again.
Brown wants to use his experiences to raise awareness for the countless people who are victims of their loved ones every day, people abused in the privacy of their own homes, with no public outcry to help them gain the strength and support they need to escape their situations.
Please continue...

Our children begin Nursery 2...:)

 Hi guys. Just thought I'll update you on the progress of this charity and the children we sponsor through school.

The six children pictured above have started their second year of Nursery at the same Nursery school where they began last September, Springfield Nursery school, Emene, Enugu, Nigeria. School resumed on September 16th, 2013. They're excited!..:)


Through your generous givings we have been able to raise 250,000 Naira to enable them register for Nursery 2. So far, we have spent 140,000 Naira on Ist term tuition and required fees and also buy all their books.

Last year we raised a total of 480,000 Naira and it all went towards their education. It will be slightly lower this year 'cause we don't have to pay registration fees again for the school which is what every child pays when they join the school for the first time.

I have also added the bank account details of the Orphanage so no need to pay into my account except it's not convenient to pay into theirs. Please see details on the left hand side of the blog.

Please continue to give. No amount is too little. Just take that step and help these children build a brighter future. I'm not trying to give you a headache but honestly it's worth the trouble...please give...:)

I want to thank you all so much for your generosity. I didn't think this would have been possible but you've made it so easy to believe that dreams do come true. Not just my dreams but the dreams of those little orphans who may have thought that life was completely against them. You have lit up their world through your giving and restored hope. They may seem little to understand the impact of what you're doing for them but in the near future they'll realise just how far they've come.

Thank you guys! Lots of love xx

My dream is to see a little orphan embrace the love of total strangers and still feel safe in it.

Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation

One of Nigeria's finest footballers Joseph Yobo is one to applaud not just for his skills on the pitch but also for his charitable works. He currently plays as a centre back for Fenerbahçe in Turkey. He is the former captain of the Nigerian national team, for which he has 95 caps, making him the most capped Nigerian player ever. His last appearance with Nigeria was at the African Nations Cup in February 2013 which Nigeria won.

He's married to ex Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Adaeze Igwe and they both have a 3 year old son, Joey.

In 2007, Yobo set up the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, to help under-privileged children in Nigeria. Since then he has handed out hundreds of scholarship awards ranging from primary to university level. Yobo also has a football academy in the Ogoni region of Nigeria. He also runs football camps in Lago.
He often visits orphanages and motherless babies homes when he's in Nigeria.

Yobo says, "I know how I started and it wasn't easy for me either". However, he counts himself lucky to have finished secondary school.
"There were people who were not able to realise their potential, even though they were brilliant, because their families could not afford to take them all the way.
"What I am doing with this foundation is to help people in a similar situation achieve their full potential in whatever they do, and I am proud to be able to help."

How thoughtful and kind of him. Well done, Jo! 

Continue to see more pics

Malaria No More - A child dies from malaria every minute

Malaria No More UK is an innovative charity and part of a global effort to put an end to the suffering and death caused by malaria. They back the global goal of near zero deaths by 2015. They save lives through high-impact awareness and fundraising campaigns and by making strategic investments in Africa.
Worldwide there are 219 million cases of malaria every year. Out of which over 660,000 people die from malaria and sadly over 90% of all malaria deaths occur in Africa. 

485 children’s lives are saved every day through malaria prevention measures such as mosquito nets, the spraying of insecticide in homes and education on malaria.

Their launch in 2009 was timed to build on the unprecedented global and local momentum to end deaths from malaria, a preventable disease that claims the life of a child every minute.
Since their launch they have secured the support of all the major political parties in the fight against malaria and helped persuade the coalition government to place malaria at the top of its international development agenda. They have also raised funds to invest in malaria control projects in Ghana, Botswana and Namibia which have helped protect over ten million people from malaria.
Malaria No More affiliates operate in the US, Netherlands and Canada and form part of the global Roll Back Malaria Partnership with over 500 other organisations dedicated to a malaria free world.

David Beckham and Andy Murray are part of the fight against malaria as founding members of their Leadership Council

The UK government has declared malaria one of its top two development priorities.

More strength to everyone involved in this project worldwide.

Congratulations to our Pupils! On to the next year...yaaahh!

Hi guys! I'm writing with so much excitement.:) Our six children passed their first year of Nursery at Springfield Nursery School, Emene, Enugu. They didn't just pass, they smashed through and I'm not exaggerating. I'm so happy and proud of them. We haven't wasted our time and resources after all.
The Rev. Sis Lucy who is in charge of the orphanage was telling me that the kids have improved in communication and social interaction since starting nursery. They're more confident and not shy/timid to interact with their peers.

They begin Nursery two on 16th September 2013. This will happen if we join hands once again and determine to give these kids a radiant future.

Thanks once again for all your support.:)

Third term and counting...thank you!

Hi friends! I know it's been months since the last post on this blog. I have had so much to deal with but I won't bore you with my story..:)
Hey! Let's talk about our pupils. That's more exciting...:) They are now in the third term of Nursery one. This is the last term of the first year of Nursery. They will be starting Nursery two in September. We thank God for provision and I thank you for your continued support. Couldn't do this without you. Thank you very much. Lots of love xx

Alicia Keys...keeping children alive.

 Keys was born Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in New York City. She is the only child of  her parents.

Keys is the co-founder and Global Ambassador of Keep a Child Alive.
In 2003 Alicia Keys and Leigh Blake, longtime AIDS activist and film/TV producer, co-founded Keep a Child Alive (KCA), a people’s movement that provides life-saving AIDS medicine and surrounding care to children and families in Africa and India. KCA also provides support to AIDS orphans left behind to keep the most vulnerable children out of harms way. 
She is the host of the annual KCA Black Ball. Keys was also the musical director for the 2006 Keep A Child Alive Charity Gala, and offered a private concert as a prize in an auction to benefit the charity.

Keys was invited to Africa to do a concert in 2002, and while she was there, she went to AIDS clinics. "People begged me to help them get drugs that weren't available to them. It was crazy — so many of them were younger than me and suffering from things I've never had to deal with. I realized this is our generation's holocaust." Click to continue...

Obafemi Martins launches Aid Foundation

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins has told MTNFootball.com he plans to spend over 400 million Naira (over $2.5 million) to help the poor in his country through his Obafemi Martins Aid Foundation.

“I have a budget of about 400 million Naira for my charity. I always said that if I make it in life, I wish to help the less privileged in our society,” says Martins. 

“Since I moved to Europe about 10 years ago, I have always helped my friends and family and even people on the streets, but now I wish to do even more.”

Nigeria is an oil-rich country but the majority of its citizens live below the poverty line with basic needs like food, shelter and medical care in very short supply.

“Nigerians deserve to live a better life, but the government alone cannot do everything. It is left for organisations and individuals who are in a position to also help those in need,” offered Martins, who has also featured for Newcastle in England and Italian club Inter Milan. Continue to read more + more photos...

2013.....Moving forward!

Hi everyone and a very happy new year to you all! Hope you all had a wonderful celebration 'cause I did have a swell time with my family.

It's been a while since I last posted on the blog. Work and the festive season took most of my time but now I'm back to blogging.

The charity fundraising I started on November 18th 2012 which ran for a month yielded 175k Naira. I can't thank you enough! Now there is enough money to pay for our children's 2nd term school fees.
I promised that I would go and teach Igbo language in a primary school in London. Well, that didn't happen as planned and I am very sorry.
By the time I contacted the school it was too late to fit me in their schedule so I was advised to come again in January and request for another date.
I am still going to fulfill this promise as soon as I'm given a date. I hope I'm forgiven...:)

OK! Moving forward....our children are doing very well. They'll be starting school on January 14th 2013. This year will mark the end of a school year and also the beginning of another school year for them. All thanks to you guys!

I'll continue to ask for donations as we need all the support we can get. We can only move forward. No going back. The focus of this charity remains unchanged...Education first. I ask everyone to please continue to give towards this good cause. If you're still thinking about giving may I help you? Yes, please give...:) It is all for the good of our Orphans. What more can we do for them? Every little helps...please give.

I'll continue to share the charitable works of others on this blog. If you have a story of someone involved with charity you can forward it to me and I'll share on the blog.

Thanks once again for your support!...:)

Nwankwo Kanu - The Hero on and off the field!

Nwankwo Kanu, OON (born 1 August 1976), is a Nigerian footballer who is currently a free agent, having last played for Portsmouth. He was also a member of the Nigerian national team for 16 years from 1994 until 2010. He is currently the Special Adviser on Sports Matters, to the Imo State Governor.

 It was after his Atlanta 1996 Gold Medal that his soccer career nearly came to a halting end, based on a medical tragedy. He was diagnosed with a heart defect that threatened to cut short an amazing career that only a gifted talented, focused and hardworking individual could amass. With his firm faith in God, he underwent the heart surgery successfully in Cleveland Hospital, Ohio, US.
This experience inspired him to set up his foundation, Kanu Heart Foundation. 
Click to continue reading plus see another photo...

Hold My Hand Charity Fundraising Event!!!

Hi everyone! Are we ready for this? It will be fun I promise...:)

This is the first fundraising event since HMHC started on September 5, 2012 and I plan to do likewise every quater of the year.
Okay! So this is what I plan to do for you and for the sake of this charity. If you guys want to see me go and teach Igbo language in a primary school here in London then I kindly ask you guys to please donate to HMHC. Igbo is one of Nigeria's six major languages.

This event will run for a month, until December 17, 2012. At the end of the fundraising I will go and teach Igbo to school children on December 18, 2012...hehe...I will take pictures and if possible make a video too...:)

Every penny goes towards quality education for our six children back home in Nigeria who are already enrolled in nursery school.

You can donate via PayPal and bank transfer. All the details are on the left hand side of the blog. Alternatively you can donate via money transfer or bank transfer in Nigeria. Please contact me for more details.

Many thanks everyone!..:)

Naija for Life!

 Hi everyone! Just thought I'd share a bit with you..

It's been 10 weeks since the birth of this charity and blog. It has been wonderful and at the same time challenging, very challenging. Wonderful in the sense that I've finally been able to fulfil one of my biggest dreams and challenging on the other hand because I have to make sure that I continue to walk in this dream. Not just my dream but the dream of many Nigerians. The dream of people who want to live in a peaceful country. The dream of people who want to pay for something and not get another, the dream of a better Nigeria. I can't do this without you. I can't push beyond a certain limit if you don't help me. We all have to do this together. We all have to care for our country and the plagues we face.

You all know there are six children we've been able to enroll into nursery last month. My focus is education. I believe strongly in education and the only way our children can continue with their education is if people like you and I donate to this project. The more you assist, the more people are being helped, the lesser the burden, the greater our future.

Now I know this is not every body's cup of tea. It doesn't have to be your cup of tea but I'm offering you mine. Please sip from my cup and understand my concern. It is all for good.

I'm not ashamed to ask people to donate to this charity. It is my duty to raise funds for our children. I am not doing this to get a pat on the back. My desire is far beyond that. My desire is to see hopeless lives fill with hope, to see a little orphan embrace the love of total strangers and still feel safe in it.

I will keep talking, I will keep asking and I will keep being the fool that I may be. I have no regrets.

I'll be announcing an online fundraising event tomorrow. Please watch out for more info and let's spread the love. Naija for life no be for mouth o! *wink*

Toyin Saraki - Unlikely Activist

Toyin Saraki at the UN Every Woman Every Child dinner on September 25, 2012 in New York, USA.

Toyin Saraki is the former  First Lady of Kwara state, Nigeria. Her Husband Dr Bukola Saraki was the Governor of Kwara state from 2003-2011.

She is the founder of The Wellbeing Foundation, lawyer and International Campaigner for Maternal Newborn and Child Health, Rights and Empowerment.
Continue to read more and also see a video of Toyin Saraki speaking to CNN...

Riri to the rescue of Hurricane Sandy Victims

 According to Globalgrind.com, Pop princess Rihanna is doing her part to help those affected by superstorm Hurricane Sandy, giving 1,000 sleeping bags to the Daily News’ Hurricane Sandy relief effort. On top of that, RiRi will turn her album release party into a rally to collect more material for the needy.

All of this is going down at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in Manhattan. To attend the free event, all you need is to bring something to help the victims.

Fans of the "Diamonds" singer are being asked to bring badly needed basics, like diapers and wipes, coats and blankets, and lots of cleaning supplies. All the items will be packed into a Daily News truck and delivered Saturday to sections of the city that are still recovering from the storm.

In 2010 Riri appeared on the The Oprah Winfrey Show and dedicated her performance of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
After her performance, it was announced that viewers could download the song at "RihannaNow" and Oprah.com, and all of the proceeds were donated to many different relief efforts for Haiti, including the Red Cross, UNICEF, Oxfam America, and Partners In Health.

 Well done Riri! :)

The generous life of late Diana, Princess of Wales

As I told you guys when I started this blog, I mentioned that from time to time I'll be sharing stories of people involved or who were involved with charity work. Today I'm sharing on Princess Diana. A woman who lived for the world but left too soon. Please read...:)

Diana, Princess of Wales, popularly known as Lady Di or Princess Diana, was born 1 July 1961and died on 31 August 1997. She was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and member of the British Royal Family. Mother of Princes William and Harry.

She was well known for her fund-raising work for international charities, and an eminent celebrity of the late 20th century. She was known as the people's princess.

Diana is noted for two major contributions to humanitarianism, although during her marriage she was President or Patron of over 100 charities. However, her work with land mines and her work on behalf of HIV/AIDS patients were forever noted in telling photographs and consequently, her efforts in these two areas of humanitarianism are most well known. Click to continue plus more photos...

A Sincere Plea For Peace

I know I'm drifting off the main purpose of this blog but I feel the need to share this with you. They say charity begins at home. Let's learn to love ourselves and love people around us. Let love be in our hearts and not hate. Let's learn to live at peace with others and pray for the peace of Nigeria and her leaders. Please continue...

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, born Agnes Gonxha Bojazhiu on 26 August 1910 in Macedonia and died 5 September 1997. She was commonly known as Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was an Albanian-born Indian Roman Catholic Nun. According to her " By Blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic Nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the heart of Jesus".
She was the youngest child of her parents. Her father, who was involved in Albanian politics, died in 1919 when she was eight years old. After her father's death, her mother raised her as a Roman Catholic.
She left home at age 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto as a missionary in Ireland. She never again saw her mother or sister...

The radiant pupils of Springfield Nursery School...:)

L-R Angel, Nathan, Anthony, Perpetua, Felicity, Goodluck

 

Okay guys! Here we have the latest Nursery School pupils. Looking too cute and smart, huh? Six of them got registered at Springfield Nursery School, Emene, Enugu on 10th October, 2012.
They're all starting from Nursery one and trust me they're very excited about school. I was discussing with the Rev. Sis (Sis Lucy) in charge of the Orphanage where they reside and she was telling me how they wake up every morning excited, jumping up and down and can't wait to get to school. They go to school excited and come back excited. All the neighbours know they're in school...lol...I can imagine how they feel...:) They never stop talking about school. She sounded very excited telling me about them. This brought tears to my eyes and to God be all the glory.
The school is already planning a Christmas party. Loads of fun ahead for them...:)

To everyone reading this, please continue to give. If you have not given please give. Education is the best gift you can give these children and it can only happen through your generosity. You have nothing to loose by blessing these wonderful children. Just look at them. Few weeks ago they didn't know they'll be starting school. Who knows, may be they never thought they would go to school. Only God has brought this favour on them so let's not relent in our giving.

Many thanks to everyone..xx

Congratulations to our six children!

Hi everyone. You remember I told you about six orphans we have chosen to sponsor to school through your generous givings? If you missed it, read it HERE . Well, I'm very pleased to announce to you that the six children, 3 girls and 3 boys have all been registered at Springfield Nursery School, Emene, Enugu, Nigeria. They got registered yesterday October 10th, 2012. They will be starting from Nursery one...:) We bought their uniforms, PE kit, sandals and books and all what they need to start school like every child deserves. They will be joining their mates next Monday, October 15th, 2012 to start classes.
I understand that there is an event for all private schools in Enugu at Okpara Square today and tomorrow so no school till Monday.

We have spent 225,000 Naira to get our kids registered, buy all they need for school and paid 1st term fees. Next up is 2nd and 3rd term fees for the six of them. This will cost us 112,500 Naira per term for the six children.

I will post pictures of them all set and ready for school on Monday. Isn't God just wonderful?

Please, to all who have promised to give don't hold back. You are giving a child, an orphan a chance to fulfill his dreams, make something of his unfortunate story, change our nation, make a difference. Do not hesitate please. Any amount will go a long way.

To all who made this possible, Baba God no deh sleep. Your reward is immeasurable. God bless you all.

He who opens a school door, closes a prison - Victor Hugo