Educate and Train 100 Disadvantaged Children

Over the weekend, I reached out to Ufuoma, my namesake, to catch up, now that she has completed her university studies, graduating with a Second Class Upper in Accounting.

We first met Ufuoma in 2016, after her friend Peace, one of the FLA Kids, told her about Fair Life Africa Foundation. She was 12 years and in JSS2 then, but paying school fees was a big challenge for her family at that time. She was constantly sent back home from school for non-payment of fees.

"My mum is late, she died when I still very little. So, I have been with my grandma," she said when I asked about her living situation. "My dad lives alone elsewhere but does visit occasionally."

However, all that changed when she got a sponsor.

"With the sponsorship I became fearless and confident in my educational pursuit. I never had the fear of going to school and being chased back home. I was always in school and I had all the needed textbooks. The sponsorship even improved my grades because I had all I needed for school. It was a tremendous change for me"

She graduated from secondary school in 2021. When I asked her how she felt that day, she said, "That day is one of my greatest moments... I was so proud of myself. And I really felt fulfilled."

Not long after, she got accepted to Delta State University and continued following her dream to become an accountant.

"Studying Accounting was more of a self discovery for me. I discovered that I was an accountable person and I love keeping records. And growing up, I loved going to the bank."

Of the university experience, she said, "It was indeed a smooth journey. There was never a time my school fees was being delayed. I had all the necessary materials and textbooks I needed. I got all the support and encouragement I needed. I never struggled for anything."

She shared fondly about the many experiences she had had being among the FLA Kids. "Especially the Christmas parties, the Valentine parties, summer camp and outings..." she said. "My first Christmas party with FLA, that is my favourite. And visiting the airport and the prison!"

"Now that you are done with your studies, what's next? Where do you see yourself in five years?" I asked.

"Currently working towards my National Youth service. In the next five years, I see myself doing well and being who I have dreamt of becoming: an Accountant."

We are really proud of Ufuoma's growth over the years, and looking at the pictures she sent us of herself, some with friends, we are positive that she has truly left the disavantage in the past and grabbed on to the possibilities now open to her.

"If I could meet my sponsor right now, I would say, 'You are a life changer, you made my dreams come alive. I'm grateful to God Almighty for you. And I promise to make you proud. There won't be any regretful moments from me. Thank you for all you did for me. For caring for a little child whose dreams weren't assured, but you became the light in the dark. Thank you so much. I love you!'"

We want to use this opportunity to thank all of our child sponsors out there! It is not a small thing to commit to someone to improve their lives, with no expectation of even gratitude. But the investment you make is going into making our whole world better, equipping the leaders of tomorrow. May God bless you more and more.

Over Easter, we had the privilege to take out about three dozen FLA Kids. It had been a long time since we held such an event with them, and they really enjoyed themselves. The new kids got to meet some of the children who have been with us longer, and they all made new friends. Unfortunately, Ufuoma couldn't join them as she wasn't in Lagos, but Damilola, who graduated from university in 2024 and who we wrote about in one of our GG reports, came by to support the trip as a volunteer! That was really incredible.

Thank you for all you have done to support our work. Please continue to tell your friends and family, so we can do even more.

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