5 new SCI-owned businesses in Nigeria & Zimbabwe

About us

Photo Description - Erik and Justin

Justin and I are two people with spinal cord injuries living in the US. We have spent almost two years helping support individuals with spinal cord injuries in Africa. We have worked with Onwubariri Emmanuel Chidube to found and expand the Dubel Disability Foundation, a certified Nigerian NGO that has helped over a dozen spinal-injured Nigerian men and women regain mobility.

About this fundraiser

This GoFundMe supports five individuals we have sponsored in the past, enabling them to start their own small businesses. Our support has historically focused on providing wheelchairs, mattresses, medical supplies and food. We are now broadening our focus to enable financial sustainability. See below for details on each new business and the individual behind the venture. We ask your help in providing the startup funds necessary to launch these small businesses.

- Erik Kondo and Justin Pines.

Jackie's WiFi Oasis - $1,000 (The installation is currently in progress!)

Photo Description - Installation of solar on the roof of Jackie's house

Jackie lives near Harare, Zimbabwe. Before her car accident, she was a singer and performer. Now, she would like to sell Wifi data to her neighbors. Due to the constant electrical outages, she requires a solar power generator ($800) to ensure reliable power for her business. She has already purchased all the other equipment. Unfortunately, a recent hospitalization has used up her remaining funds.

Jackie projects a monthly profit of $250 from her Wifi businesses.

Learn more about Jackie from her website. Follow her on Instagram @second_bite_of_cherry

Francis's Cassava Grinding - $3,000 (Francis is almost operational!)

Photo Description - Francis and Emmanuel outside the new building with some locals

Francis is very physically active in his wheelchair, but nobody will hire him for a job. He plans to work by processing the cassava plant for people in his neighborhood. He has a small piece of land where he can install the cassava grinding machine. The startup needs for his business are as follows:

Once constructed, there are minimal ongoing expenses. Francis hopes to generate a monthly income of $300-$500 which will allow him to sustain himself.

See some videos of Francis's life.

Oyedikachi's Chicken Farmette - $2,500 (Next on the list to start construction)

After a car accident several years ago, Oyedikachi has been unable to work. He didn't even have a wheelchair or a suitable mattress to sleep on until we got them for him. He has young children and hopes to raise and sell chickens with their help.

He owns a section of land where his farmette could be built. To start his business, he requires funds for the following:

Oyedikachi hopes to make a profit of $150 every three months. Since he lives in a very rural area in Nigeria, this small sum will make a big difference in his life. He will also be able to be productive and spend time working and teaching his children.

See some videos of Oyedikachi.

Dubel Food & Supply - $4,000 (The store is now operational!)

Photo Description - The newly painted storefront of Dubel Food & Supply

Check out the store's website.

Emmanuel has been working hard to help people with spinal cord injury in Nigeria for several years. With our help, he has started Dubel Disability Foundation, a state-certified Nigerian NGO, and has delivered over $20,000 in wheelchairs, mattresses, food and medical consumables to over a dozen people with spinal cord injury. But Emmanuel also requires a stable source of income to support himself.

Dubel Food & Suppy is a small storefront in Imo State, Nigeria. It will sell food staples such as rice, tomatoes, and oil. We have already provided him with the funds to pay his rent for one year, to renovate, and build a wheelchair ramp to his store.

Emmanuel requires an additional $2,500 to purchase the initial inventory of goods to sell.

The projected monthly profit from the store is $400. Having a stable income will enable Emmanuel to not rely on his parents to provide for his living expenses. It will allow him to be independent and self-sufficient, enabling him to devote more of his energy to and help more Nigerians living with spinal cord injury.

Learn about Emmanuel's work to help people with spinal cord injury in Nigeria.

Sharon's Cosmetics & Essentials - $2,000

Photo Description - Sharon outside her home.

Sharon has had a spinal cord injury for several years from a car accident. She currently has a small business selling cosmetics in her hometown. She would like to increase the size of her operations and sell more products. She plans to rent more shop space and increase her inventory to include hair products, weaves, sunscreen, soaps, and the like.

The $2,000 would go to paying for her initial inventory purchases and several months of the $80 per month rent.

The total for funding the five businesses is only $12,000. Our goal is to help Jackie, Francis, Oyedikachi, Emmanuel, and Sharon be productive and live more fulfilling lives. Unlike in the United States and other wealthy countries, they receive no help from the government. They are shunned by society due to their disability. We hope you join us in helping them.

All donations will be processed through the 501(c)3 nonprofit NOT-ME Inc. FID# 20-5305400 (https://www.not-me.org)

To learn more about what Emmanuel is doing, go to

Dubel Disability Foundation