Founder of the Global Initiative for Women in Leadership, GIFWIL, Lady Sarah Umahi has expressed her passion for aiding indigent children, youth, and women to earn a better living. During a chat with selected media practitioners, Lady Umahi shared that her journey as a philanthropist and humanitarian began in 2008 after an encounter with an indigent girl who showed exceptional zeal for academic excellence.
“I established an NGO, though without cash, but I had a passion to assist kids, youths, and less privileged women in rural areas,” she said. “What actually motivated me to take on this responsibility was when I met a small girl on Minna Road who was walking to school barefoot and wearing a torn school uniform. I stopped and asked her where she was headed, and she replied that she was going to school.”
Lady Umahi continued, “I was pained by her condition, and I decided to buy her a pair of slippers and take her to school. When I got there, I saw others in similar attire, not well-dressed. I then picked her and another kid and placed them on scholarship. Now, one of them is a law graduate.”
Lady Umahi disclosed that since establishing her non-governmental organization, the ‘Kit a Child to School Project,’ they have been able to equip over 500 kids, with more than 28 schools benefiting from the project. “It is a yearly program,” she explained. “This year, our target is to support a primary school in a rural area of the FCT, as they are the schools that need help the most.”
The philanthropist shared that the program has received appreciation from parents and schools over the years. “This year’s program was held at Kins International School, Karimo, Abuja, where we donated N50,000 to the school and provided pupils with exercise books, textbooks, biros, pencils, sandals, school uniforms, bags, and other essential items,” she added.
Lady Umahi emphasized that she funds the program personally and has not received donations from any individual or organization. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to her vision of touching the lives of the less privileged. “As the spirit leads us to the less privileged school in any rural area, we respond,” she said.
In her parting words, Lady Umahi advised parents not to give up on their children, regardless of their circumstances, and to believe that the future holds better hope.
