From Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka
Dr. Chioma Awuzie Foundation (DCAF), a non governmental organization, rolled out 2025 edition of its scholarship award and charity program, with 19 tertiary students and over one thousand others benefiting from the scheme.
The 19 benefiting students, mainly indigent but intelligent, were drawn from 6 tertiary institutions in Anambra – including Federal Polytechnic, Oko; Federal College of Education, Technical, Umunze; College of Education, Nsugbe; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam.
Food items – including bags of rice, tomatoes and groundnut oil; as well as toiletries, detergents, and other items were also distributed to over one thousand (1000) persons, including students, widows and indegent natives.
In her address of welcome during the event that took place at the Federal Polytechnic Oko main auditorium on Friday, July 18, founder of DCAF, Dr. (Mrs) Irene Chioma Awuzie, said that this year’s Scholarship Award and Charity Programme holds special meaning, as it heralds activities marking her 52nd birthday anniversary, and represents another milestone in the foundation’s journey to building hope, creating opportunities, and changing lives through acts of kindness, educational empowerment and strategic community support.
She said, “When we established DCAF in 2019, our dream was simple yet ambitious; to serve as a bridge between the privileged and the underserved, between aspiration and opportunity, and between potential and actualization. We set out to touch lives, to heal, to build, and to restore dignity where despair once reigned.
“I am proud to say that with God’s grace, and supports from charity organizations and spirited individuals, DCAF has become a force for good; a lifeline for indigent students, struggling mothers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and entire communities. And we’re just getting started.”
She said that the foundation would continue to invest in higher education for indigent students; adding that with the 2025 edition of the award, the number of beneficiaries rose to100 students, from 6 public tertiary institutions in Anambra state.
Dr. Awuzie said that the foundation remains committed to economic empowerment through skills and tools. She said that the foundation has supported more women with cassava processing machines and startup grants, and donated commercial vehicles to empower unemployed youths. This practical support, she said, helps recipients start small businesses and become financially independent.
She also said that the foundation has continued its distribution of childbirth palliatives to expectant mothers, bringing relief and ensuring safer deliveries in many communities.
On the 2025 Scholarship and Charity Programme, she pointed that the benefiting students have shown exceptional courage and academic commitment despite personal and financial setbacks.
While saying that the foundation cannot do the work of lifting indegent people alone, Awuzie called upon captains of industries, development partners, government institutions, friends of the foundation and the general public to join in making the mission sustainable.
“With your partnership, we can reach more students, expand our charitable footprint, and build a Nigeria where no one is left behind simply because they were born into poverty.
“If you wished to support this mission, please donate to:
Account Name: Dr. Chioma Awuzie Foundation. Account Number: 8126389015. Bank: First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
No amount is too small to change a life,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of other benefiting students, Anazodo Chiazota Henrietta of the Federal College of Education, Technical, Umunze; Ezeobieri Vivian Amarachi of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and Okoye Chidiuto of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, praised the foundation for its strides in uplifting people, and for giving hope to hundreds of individuals. They said that the scholarship fund would take care of their textbooks and other educational needs.
Speaking on behalf of others, a benefiting widow, Mrs Nnenna Odili, commended the foundation for putting food on the tables of widows and other indegent persons over the years.
This year’s event featured the feeding of hundreds of guests and community members, the distribution of food and gift items to widows and the underprivileged, and support for pregnant women and elderly citizens.
