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.