Please help support the village of Umunachi

Hi everyone! My name is Ugo Uche and I am organizing this fundraiser for the children and people of Umunachi, Nigeria. This project aims to provide financial assistance and improve the quality of life, access to healthcare, education, and basic needs of these people in the village. In addition, this project hopes to build resilient families that go on to better their own lives and strengthen their communities.

 

My father and I traveled back to Nigeria this past December 2021, and the goal of this trip was to help others during a difficult time in the world. We brought seven suitcases of health supplies and medications, clothes, soccer shoes and gear, a walker, a wheelchair, crutches, and 100 toothbrush/toothpaste kits. In addition, my father and I gifted 350 lbs of rice and beans to 29 widows and their families. We shared 5,000 Naira with each of these women to feed their children. When we arrived in the village a few days before, the people in need were full of joy. They sang songs of hope and praise to express their love and gratitude. At that moment, with tears of empathy, I had an epiphany and developed a new understanding of what it meant to help people. I was inspired to learn more about this country's history and find ways to uplift these widows and orphans out of poverty. The trip so moved me that after returning to Michigan, I decided to do what I could to fundraise for these people. I hope you will read on to learn more about this initiative and join me in this endeavor. Thank you so much!

 

Project Umunachi: Humanitarian Aid, Academic Empowerment, and Micro-Econ Start-Up Fundraising Goal - $10,000

 

The mission of this project is to uplift and support these people in need with healthcare, education, and basic living needs. My goal is to help this community build a sustainable future and to provide a boost of hope and faith in their lives.

 

The Mission of Hope 2022/2023 -

 

The money raised will be divided into different categories by needs. For example, $1,000 will fund emergency needs for the elderly and families in immediate need of medical care and assistance to keep their children safe. Additionally, I have identified six categories that target the specific needs of this community.

 

Community Aid & Support ($1,500 goal): This first project aims to provide immediate support and resources for families in urgent need. These efforts will seek to sustain food, water, school fees, and other essential resources for the people of Umunachi. In addition, the financial aid will make it possible to acquire educational tools for the youth and medicine and support for the sick and elderly. In December 2022, I plan to coordinate a medical outreach week in which nurses and doctors will deliver care, education, and medical supplies to the community.

Youth Academic Achievement Award ($1,000 goal): I am determined to encourage youth empowerment and academic excellence for young students in elementary, middle, and high school. This grant will fund a village-wide achievement award of $20 to congratulate outstanding students who finish the academic semester in the top 3 of their classes. Likely, these funds will ultimately support the student’s entire family and thus encourage more support for educational endeavors.

Micro-business grants to support local agribusinesses & trades ($2,000 goal): Ten individuals from rural and major cities in Nigeria will be carefully selected for a $200 grant to kick start their hopes and dreams for their business, family, and community. e.g., fisheries, sewing seamstress designers, agriculture & farming, automotive parts & mechanics, and technology-related start-ups. There is potential here to catapult various micro-business ventures off the ground and provide a source of income for families that endure economic challenges and basic survival. I believe these opportunities will positively impact many beyond the direct grant recipient and will be so grateful for any support you can share.

 

Academic Assistance & Financial Aid ($2,500 goal): I am fundraising this money to encourage and support hard-working students that want to continue their education but cannot afford it. Students in developing countries who live in economic hardship struggle with financing school fees and tuition. This aid will encourage more support for academic endeavors in an environment where families must often choose between sending a child to school or keeping the child home to work. For example, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) is an essential certificate for students to advance their education. The registration period is in December, and the exam is taken in May/June. Unfortunately, many eligible candidates do not have the opportunity to accept this exam because of the $30 cost. I want to assist 50 students in need to register for this SAT/ACT-like exam after completing high school.

Academic Resources and Project Development at Ehunachi Secondary School ($1,000): The ten best-performing students at this school were recognized amongst their peers and student body on December 28, 2021. The teenagers were given a book and a certificate for their hard work and achievement. In addition, I would like to congratulate these outstanding students with a gift of $50 for the top 3 students and $25 for the remaining top 7 students as they proceed to tertiary institutions. This endeavor most often presents a financial challenge to families. In addition to this award, I hope to include a $700 grant towards academic supplies and resources, facilities and maintenance at Ehunachi Secondary School.

Agricultural Farming ($1000 goal): Lastly, I am teaming up with the help of farmers in the community to plant 1,000 fruit trees to recognize my mother’s vision and efforts for tree planting many years ago. I am eager to continue my mother’s passion for environmental education and agricultural sustainability in this community. These efforts will aim to plant vegetables and fruit trees (mango, papaya, udara, cassava, coco-yam, squash, watermelon, cucumbers, bananas, plantains, bitter leaf, beans, groundnut, and kola nut).

 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Project Umunachi! I encourage you to explore the beautiful culture of the Igbo people. Our team is already planning on how to document pictures, videos, and testimonies to determine this project's success. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to contact me.

Notes about the organizer - My name is Ugo Uche and I was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I am a University of New Hampshire graduate and live in Oregon now. I work in education as a school engagement specialist and coach high school & club soccer. When the parents at my previous club in Hawaii discovered that my family does humanitarian work in Africa and that I would be traveling home this past December, a kids soccer drive began. Soccer gear and up to $200 were donated, shoes, balls, and cute clothes were packed up for my journey back to Nigeria. The children in the village and I are so thankful to all of these parents and players at Kona Crush Soccer Academy that made this impact on many young lives. I am also grateful to the parents of Woodside Crush, California and still remember all the support that was shared when I carried health supplies, soccer gear & educational resources to MACHAO orphanage in Kenya (2018). The equipment was gifted to many children and brought smiling faces to each of these villages.

Historical Background and Context: Many years ago, in 1982, my mother, Dr. Paula Uche, collected books in the school district where she was a vice principal to donate to children and students who would benefit from them. Suddenly, rumors spread that she was launching a library in Africa. Newspaper articles began to be written about her vision, and the dream slowly came to life. Before she knew it, interested people around the US donated thousands of books to her in New York. Finally, when things were moving positively, she chose a destination where the academic resources and 17,000 lbs of books would be sent—Umunachi - a small village in South-East Nigeria that fell victim to a devastating genocide during the Biafran war of 1967-1970.

After overcoming many obstacles and challenges, Dr. Uche successfully launched her library and led a series of tree planting projects to educate environmental and public health initiatives. It was very kind of my mother to set out on these lofty dreams, and now I wish to continue her legacy. Thank you again for your support.