GAMAID
- July 24, 2025
My name is Ijeoma Ukpai. Before GAMAID Foundation came into the picture, I was facing a serious housing challenge that honestly felt impossible to climb out of. I was squatting in a cramped room with some of my old secondary school classmates while trying to pursue my university education. As much as I was deeply grateful for their kindness and willingness to share the little space they had, the whole arrangement left me feeling morally compromised and emotionally unsettled. Every single day, I battled this quiet sense of shame, wondering just how much longer I could keep going like this without losing my dignity or my focus on my studies.
When GAMAID Foundation stretched out a hand of friendship and support, everything truly shifted. I was welcomed into a shelter they provided, and for the first time in a long while, I had a place I could actually call my own. Beyond just giving me a roof over my head, the team at GAMAID Foundation made sure I received spiritual encouragement that brought my hope back to life, along with financial help that took the edge off my everyday expenses. They also arranged a tutoring job for me, which not only covered my basic needs but genuinely helped me grow. My teaching skills sharpened, my confidence rose, and I picked up real, practical experience I know I will carry with me for life.
The impact of all this support on my life has been nothing short of life changing. Through the care and guidance of GAMAID Foundation, I experienced real spiritual growth and learnt priceless life lessons about love, respect, kindness and the beauty of living in community with others. The tutoring work gave me a strong sense of purpose and self reliance, and I was able to take care of myself while also easing the load on my parents, who were already stretching themselves thin with the little they had. In that warm, nurturing environment, I discovered strengths I genuinely did not know I had, and I developed a deeper love for service and giving back.
My heartfelt thanks go to GAMAID Foundation for the deep difference they have made in my life. Thank you for opening up a safe, supportive home for me and for pouring into my personal and spiritual growth. Your kindness has truly shaped my character, my relationships and the way I now see my future. May God continue to bless this beautiful work abundantly, and may you keep changing more lives the same way you changed mine.