Two Arizona students, Paulina and Lydia, have adopted Maria Africa Foundation as their cause and their passion, introducing MAF to other students and raising dollars to advance our mission to build a school in Nigeria. At a recent fund raiser, they spoke passionately and eloquently about our work. Here is what they said.
Paulina
A nine-year-old boy, exceedingly small and weak for his age, kisses his mom goodbye. His mom wonders if she will see him again. “He will probably make it.” She says to herself. That is his chore. To make sure the family has water each day. The boy will have to walk miles to get water. He will have to use a bucket to carry the water. The water comes from a river, a contaminated river. He might never come back because the path is dangerous, or he might get sick since the water is so dirty. Imagine that that is your child.
These children are extremely poor. What can we do to help them? If we give them a good education, we will eradicate poverty there, and produce virtuous and educated kids. However, that will require challenging work.
Has anyone seen ancient ruins? Well, if you go there, it is an impressive sight. However, the houses there have no air conditioning, no floors, barely any furniture, and a roof that is in ruins. That is how the public schools in Nigeria and other places in Africa are. Those public schools do not have bathrooms either. Do you think a good place to study is a place that looks like the ruins of an ancient city? How come buildings from a couple of thousands of years are in better shape than public schools in Africa?
That is why, we are trying to build a school in Nigeria, which offers clean water, food, and a good education. The school will have air conditioning, furniture, a good curriculum, good teachers, and a playground.
I know I am bold to say this, but please, anything helps. impact Join us in our mission to improve the lives of kids in Africa. This will affect their lives and the lives of their children and their grandchildren.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is Lydia G., and I am a student at Notre Dame Preparatory Academy. I am here to share my passion for starting a club that supports the Maria Africa Foundation, a cause that is very close to my heart.
I first learned about the Maria Africa Foundation through Father Simon Osuchukwu. Father Simon is not only a dedicated priest but also the founder of this incredible organization. His journey from Ihitte-Uboma, Nigeria, to serving communities in the United States is truly inspiring. Despite the distance, he has never forgotten his hometown or the struggles of the people there. His unwavering commitment to providing food, education, and medical access to his community has deeply moved me.
I had the privilege of serving as an altar server under Father Simon’s guidance. His kindness, humility, and dedication to helping others have had a profound impact on my life. Additionally, I was fortunate to join him on a pilgrimage to Italy, where I got to know him better and witnessed firsthand his passion for his mission. His stories about the challenges faced by families and children in Nigeria touched my heart and opened my eyes to the urgent need for support.
Father Simon’s work with the Maria Africa Foundation addresses critical needs in Ihitte-Uboma and other rural areas. Families there struggle to access basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. Children often miss out on education because their families cannot afford tuition, supplies, or even daily meals. The foundation provides life-saving humanitarian services, supporting education, nutrition, and healthcare for these vulnerable communities.
Inspired by Father Simon’s dedication and the impactful work of the Maria Africa Foundation, I want to start a club at Notre Dame Preparatory Academy to engage other teens and their families in this important cause. The club aims to raise awareness, fundraise, and foster a sense of global responsibility among students.
Our goals include organizing fundraising events, hosting informational sessions, and collaborating with local businesses and organizations. By doing so, we hope to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families in Nigeria. Education, as Father Simon often reminds us, is a powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty. With the support of our community, we can help provide children with the opportunities they need to build brighter futures.
Starting this club is not just about raising money; it’s about inspiring my peers to become compassionate, proactive global citizens. It’s about showing that even as high school students, we have the power to make a significant impact in the world.
I invite you to join us in this mission. Your support can help us change lives, one child at a time. Together, we can extend the reach of the Maria Africa Foundation and bring hope to those who need it most.
Fr. Simon grew up in Nigeria in the village of ihitte-Uboma. A village of more than 120,000 people, there are many remote and marginalized communities with no access to nutrition, running water, healthcare, electricity, education or even passable roads.
As a young boy growing into his faith, Fr. Simon lived among the poorest of the poor, who struggled with basic needs, where the average peasant farm does not yield enough food for its people. As a result, many families lack basic nutrition for their sustenance.
In 2021, Fr. Simon began fulfilling that promise. After moving to Arizona and with the help of others, he formed Maria Africa (MAF). The nonprofit organization started with a $5,000 donation, which grew to $100,000 in 2022, and to over $300,000 today. An all-volunteer Board of Directors guides the organization legally, financially, and operationally. Distributions of funds and services are overseen by people directly on the ground via the AveMaria Humanitarian Foundation.
Today, these dollars are critical to breaking the chain of lifelong village poverty. They do this by providing education that leads not only to jobs, but to self-esteem, confidence, and productive careers. Specifically, MAF supports primary and secondary education (K- 12), as well as trade school, and some college and university education.
The organization helps to feed villagers, pay for clothing, gain access to healthcare, and provide a variety of humanitarian services that are improving lives daily. During Easter Week of 2023, nearly 900 families from three separate communities were nourished and food was distributed to several schools in rural communities where children often go hungry. Importantly, MAF is spearheading the building of a new school – the first of its kind in the village – with the aim of ending the cycle of poverty through education. Ground will break for the Lipardi Learnng Academy in 2024 and MAF looks forward to educating children toward more fulfilling and productive lives. For more information, visit: www.MariaAfrica.org.
We have so much to be grateful for in our lives. The gifts of life, family, and friends are tremendous blessings. Please know that your gifts of time, talent and treasure are such a comfort to me and to my people in Nigeria. I sincerely express my gratitude and will always remain grateful for your support and generosity.
I am writing today to update you on the amazing progress of Maria Africa Foundation, thanks to your prayers and support. As you know, my transition to a leadership role at the Church of the Resurrection in Tempe was a big change, both for me and the foundation. But I trust God’s plan.The parish is a small church of about 900 families in a beautiful community. It is a good place to start as a pastor in the Diocese of Phoenix.
We started Maria Africa Foundation at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in 2021 with three board members and one volunteer. Since then, we have grown to five board members and more than 20 committed volunteers working on behalf of the children and families in the community of Ihitte-Uboma in Nigeria, my hometown. Our mission is to provide education, food, and healthcare assistance this hard-working but impoverished community of people.
Creating awareness for Maria Africa Foundation both within and outside our parish community has been journey. I am indeed happy to share the tremendous support that we have received from the St. Bernard of Clairvaux community. I owe a great debt to the generous individuals and families who devoted their time, talent, and treasure to the mission and vision of Maria Africa Foundation.
Your Donations at Work on the Ground
Maria Africa Foundation works directly with a charitable organization on the ground in Nigeria called the AveMaria Humanitarian Foundation. I personally founded AveMaria to effectively managing our funds, oversee our activities and ensure that your dollars reach those directly in need. All funds are deposited into a corporate account managed by volunteers, personally appointed by me. These include a certified accountant, project supervisor, and my close relative, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Osuchukwu, who works personally with our families.
In 2021 we raised $6,700
In 2022 we raised $110,000
In 2023 we raised $456,000 with 27 people donating monthly, two donating quarterly, four donating annually, and eight who have spiritually adopted a child to support their long-term education.
These dollars came to us via individual donations (monthly, quarterly, annually, and one-time gifts) by donors who are introduced to us primarily via small, in-home events hosted by our supporters.
How Your Dollars Support our Children
Your dollars are critical to breaking the chain of lifelong poverty. They do that by providing education that leads not only to jobs, but to self-esteem, confidence, and productive careers. Specifically, your dollars support primary and secondary education (K-12), as well as trade school, and some college and university education. Your donations cover tuition, room and board, school supplies, extra curriculum activities, transportation, and field trips. And we often pay for clothing, food, and medicine since so many of our children cannot afford these basics.
Looking back to when I started the foundation in 2021, I am amazed at how far we have come in such a short time. Your monthly, quarterly, and annual donations to the organization have made a remarkable difference in the lives of the kids, families, and the communities we serve. The people of my hometown could not be more grateful to you.
This year, we had eleven students who graduated from high school and two students who graduated from trade school.
Additionally, we had one student who graduated from the school of nursing who is now a registered nurse in Nigeria. I am happy to say congratulations to Elizabeth for being the first MAF student to graduate and become an RN. Elizabeth said that she is looking forward to giving back to her community.
And perhaps most importantly, we had twenty NEW students who were added to our existing roster. We could not be more excited for their futures.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we currently sponsor 52 children in K-12, 6 students in trade school, 3 students in college, in addition to 2 seminarians that we will be supporting starting from next year, 2024.
Food, Nutrition, Shelter and Clothing
In 2023, we significantly increased the number of families and communities that we could feed, not only providing life-sustaining rice, but also nutritional foods and proteins. Additionally, we provided medicine, shelter, and clothing.
During Easter Week of 2023, nearly 900 families from three separate communities were nourished. We also distributed food at several schools in rural communities where children often go hungry and thirsty as, sadly, no food or water is provided. These children look forward to our bi-weekly and monthly visits to feed them. Our goal is to provide nutrition daily, so they can concentrate and learn. This is a goal we hope to reach very soon with your continued support.
We have plans to do more this Christmas. We will feed more families and provide clothing, toys and shoes for children. There are so many other children and families who need our support that we have not reached with our limited resources. But please know that these families, children, and communities are praying for you, and they sincerely appreciate your love support.
By the Numbers – Here’s How Your Dollars Were Spent on Our Families 2023 Summary
Education: $76,000
School Construction $12,000
Food/nutrition: $31,000
Medicine: $2,000
Transportation and handling of supplies: $5,000
Donation to Holy Ghost Catholic Church Ihitte-Uboma: $6,000
Bank charges for wire: $400
Total: $132,400
A Miracle in 2023 –Planting the Seeds for a School in Ihitte-Uboma
I am excited to share with you a miracle that I received this year.
One of our goals has always been to build a model Catholic school in Ihitte-Uboma to give the children access to a better education in a good learning environment.
When I went on a pilgrimage to Italy this year with members of the Padre Pio, I prayed for the sick, and I prayed for a school for my hometown. Within weeks of returning from the pilgrimage, I had the most exciting news! A family at St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Scottsdale – the Lipari family – offered to help build my school for the children in Ihitte-Uboma! They would make a significant donation and get others to help as well. It seemed like a dream, but I know it is a miracle…the miracle of God working through others. The Lipari’s are a special blessing in my life, and in the lives of the children this school will serve.
We are looking forward to raising $180,00 more to start the project next year and up to $200,000 by 2024 so that we can do even more. Please pray about this opportunity to help bring Catholic education closer to the children of Ihitte-Uboma.
How you can help
Introduce us to any family or corporate foundation that supports small charities.
Consider increasing your monthly, quarterly, or annual donation.
Ask your employer if they have a Matching Donation program, and if it could include the Maria Africa Foundation.
Host an informational dinner with your family/friends and invite Fr. Simon to come and share the mission and vision of the Maria Africa Foundation.
Consider donating a gift of stock shares.
Share the great work of Maria Africa Foundation with your family and friends and ask them to consider supporting us.
I continue to be grateful to you…for your prayers, your friendship, your support and your incredible generosity. At the holidays and always, may The Lord Jesus Christ grant His blessings on you and your families.
Most Sincerely,
Fr. Simon Osuchukwu President, Maria Africa Foundation.
MAF is a 501c3 non-profit. What makes us unique is our partnership with the Avemaria Humanitarian Foundation, which has people working directly on the ground to monitor our projects and oversee the distribution of funds, supplies and services so that all donations go directly to schools, hospitals and humanitarian programs. All board members are volunteers.
