In a society where the less privileged are often overlooked, the Mercy Ogbuehi Widows & Orphans Foundation has bridged the gap by reaching out to help.
Founded by Barrister Nnenna Uchegbu, the foundation was established in honour of her late mother, Lolo Mercy Ogbuehi.
The Late Lolo Mercy Ogbuehi was a woman who embodied generosity in its purest form.
“She was accommodating, charitable, and homely,” said the foundation’s secretary, Oladipupo Uchechukwu Stephen. “She welcomed children who were not her own and ensured no one left her small buka (local restaurant) hungry.”
Her buka, situated in a remote town somewhere in Abia State, Nigeria became more than a place for meals; it was a haven for the community. Mercy’s innate ability to care for others, especially the less privileged, became the cornerstone of her daughter’s vision. Barrister Nnenna sought to expand on her mother’s acts of kindness, creating a foundation dedicated to uplifting widows, orphans, and the less privileged.
One of the foundation’s unique goals is its emphasis on empowerment through education and skill acquisition.
As Oladipupo explained, “We don’t just equip people with what to eat; we teach them how to get what to eat. It’s the essence of the proverb: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Since its inception, the foundation has been running free skill acquisition programs, beginning with two classes in catering and industrial training in 2017. Today, the programs have expanded to include seven to eight fields, such as fashion design, shoemaking, hairdressing, computer literacy, and more.
Graduates of these programs are equipped not just with knowledge but with tools to jumpstart their careers. Participants in fashion design receive sewing machines, those with computer literacy are given brand-new laptops, and catering graduates are provided with essential equipment or startup funds.
“This December 19th marks our 15th graduation ceremony,” Oladipupo proudly noted. “We’ll empower widows with sewing machines and others with tools and funds to bring their skills to life.”
Over the past seven years, the foundation has grown into a hub of opportunity for many. Its focus on sustainability ensures that participants not only acquire skills but also build livelihoods that last.
The foundation also caters to the younger generation through its annual summer coaching programs. These sessions are open to orphans and children from the community, offering educational support that goes beyond the classroom. “This is not just for children within the foundation but for all children in the community,” Oladipupo emphasized.
Beyond education and skills training, the foundation recognizes the importance of healthcare for the less privileged. Friday Ogbuehi, the foundation’s director and brother to Barrister Nnenna, noted their impactful medical outreach programs.
“Our medical outreach aims to attend to about 350 beneficiaries, primarily widows and orphans,” Friday shared. These outreaches offer services like pulse, blood pressure, and blood sugar monitoring, as well as massages, dental care, and free medications. “We ensure that every participant leaves healthier and more informed about their well-being.”
What began as a small gesture of kindness in a local buka has grown into a robust foundation impacting lives in numerous ways. The foundation not only supports immediate needs but also builds a future for the underprivileged through empowerment and education.
“Through the foundation, we are honouring my mother’s legacy by creating a lasting impact,” said Friday.
The “Graduation/Christmas Party for the newly trained Widows and Orphans is scheduled for the 19th of December 2024.
The 2024 Children’s Christmas Party was held on Saturday 14th of December. The event began with a prayer session for the Children and later lots of fun as the DJ played music for the children to dance. The children also played games and received gift packs from the Foundation.
One of the high points of the December programs was the “Shop 4 Free” held on Tuesday 17th of December 2024. All the Widows, Orphans, and other less privileged members of the community were given access to shop without paying a dime. Available wear, shoes, sandals, fabrics, clothing, kitchen utensils, etc.
