Help Children and Families Burned Alive in Yelwata, Benue

It is with a heavy heart I write this. In the early hours of June 14th around 2am, the peaceful village of Yelwata in Benue State, Nigeria was attacked. While families slept, armed men stormed into homes, set them on fire, and killed everyone they could. Children were burned alive in their beds. Entire families were wiped out.

Over 100 lives were lost, and among them were likely children with disabilities, including autistic children who may not have understood what was happening or how to escape. The thought of them confused, terrified, and helpless is unbearable. This wasn’t just violence. It was a massacre of the most vulnerable.

For those of you who know me personally, you know how passionate I am about autism and how deeply I care about supporting children with special needs. This tragedy has shaken me to my core, not just as a Nigerian, but as someone who has dedicated so much of my heart to this cause. That’s why this fundraiser means so much to me.

Survivors have lost everything: their loved ones, their homes, their community, their peace. Hundreds of families have been displaced and are now in urgent need of shelter, food, water, and medical care. And in the middle of it all are children, traumatized, injured, grieving, who need us more than ever.

I’m raising funds to support the entire Yelwata community, with a special focus on children and families who are often overlooked, including those with autism and other disabilities. These funds will go toward:

I’m working directly with trusted contacts on the ground to ensure 100% of donations go to the people most in need. Every contribution, even $5, will make a real impact.

If you’ve ever wanted to do something in the face of tragedy, this is your chance. Please give if you can. Let the children and families of Yelwata know they are not alone, and they are not forgotten.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.