I have always had the desire of establishing an organ through which to help underprivileged people. But I never really knew when to start. I feared the risk beginning and failing, beginning and not carrying through what I had started. On the eve of the silver jubilee of my ordination, I found the unusual courage to begin something. Was that the inspiration from the Holy Spirit? I don’t know. I just felt an inner courage to go on. I followed that instinct. That was how the Hope Rising Foundation was born.
A proof that I have been contemplating such a move for years is the fact that in 2007, I did provide some minimal financial support to some widows in my kindred to help them begin or enhance their little businesses and thereby help support their families and provide for their children. In addition, we sunk two boreholes in my village, thanks to the help of a donation from a German priest-friend,Pfarrer Josef Nieberding. After several years of experimenting on that small scale, we thought of broadening the scope. We hope that this foundation will help us with the goal of reaching a larger group f beneficiaries.
My mother is a widow. I remember how she labored after the sudden death of my father to make sure we had food on our table at the end of each day. It wasn’t easy for her, but she labored hard and trying various means to provide for us, her children. At one point, she couldn’t even afford the 20 Nigerian Naira that I needed for a dental surgical procedure. It was thanks to the help of a distant unclefrom my kindred that this became possible. Considering how hardworking she was, I believe, if she had the financial support she needed, she could have grown a viable and steady business. She didn’t have that, so we had to live from day to day, and feed from hand to mouth each day, not sure of what the next day will bring. I see in many widows today, hardworking women, who like my mom, desire to better their conditions and those of their children, but lack of financial support. To help alleviate this, I thought of beginning this foundation, hoping that the little financial support we provide such women would create better opportunities for them. The proceeds from my silver jubilee celebration and additional personal funds formed the first batch of money that we used to kick off the program. We set up a team to serve as board of directors. They worked in conjunction with the local pastors in screening prospective recipients. Twenty widows and indigent women in the community benefitted from our first loan of 50,000 Nigerian Naira each. This foundation is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria as Lucent Esperanza Initiative for Development.
Our next plan is to erect a health clinic in a rural community. We are currently negotiating with the men and women leaders of Iho Dimeze autonomous community of Ikeduru Local Government in Imo State Nigeria, for land. They are very excited about this proposal and have shown willingness to support, including the possibility of donating a piece of land. They also favor the inclusion of skills acquisition center to train the young men and women of the community. We continue to pray for the best for all.
A proof that I have been contemplating such a move for years is the fact that in 2007, I did provide some minimal financial support to some widows in my kindred to help them begin or enhance their little businesses and thereby help support their families and provide for their children. In addition, we sunk two boreholes in my village, thanks to the help of a donation from a German priest-friend,Pfarrer Josef Nieberding. After several years of experimenting on that small scale, we thought of broadening the scope. We hope that this foundation will help us with the goal of reaching a larger group f beneficiaries.
My mother is a widow. I remember how she labored after the sudden death of my father to make sure we had food on our table at the end of each day. It wasn’t easy for her, but she labored hard and trying various means to provide for us, her children. At one point, she couldn’t even afford the 20 Nigerian Naira that I needed for a dental surgical procedure. It was thanks to the help of a distant unclefrom my kindred that this became possible. Considering how hardworking she was, I believe, if she had the financial support she needed, she could have grown a viable and steady business. She didn’t have that, so we had to live from day to day, and feed from hand to mouth each day, not sure of what the next day will bring. I see in many widows today, hardworking women, who like my mom, desire to better their conditions and those of their children, but lack of financial support. To help alleviate this, I thought of beginning this foundation, hoping that the little financial support we provide such women would create better opportunities for them. The proceeds from my silver jubilee celebration and additional personal funds formed the first batch of money that we used to kick off the program. We set up a team to serve as board of directors. They worked in conjunction with the local pastors in screening prospective recipients. Twenty widows and indigent women in the community benefitted from our first loan of 50,000 Nigerian Naira each. This foundation is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria as Lucent Esperanza Initiative for Development.
Our next plan is to erect a health clinic in a rural community. We are currently negotiating with the men and women leaders of Iho Dimeze autonomous community of Ikeduru Local Government in Imo State Nigeria, for land. They are very excited about this proposal and have shown willingness to support, including the possibility of donating a piece of land. They also favor the inclusion of skills acquisition center to train the young men and women of the community. We continue to pray for the best for all.