• GAMAID
• July 25, 2025

Home and Healing: Ifiok Okon’s Journey with GAMAID Foundation

I am Ifiok Okon, a 32-year-old resident of Uyo, and not long ago my family and I were trapped in a season of overwhelming need. Financial hardship weighed on us like a stone, leaving us unable to afford rent or even basic meals. A sudden medical emergency—and the bills that followed—compounded our distress, while hunger and housing insecurity threatened our very stability. Each day felt like a battle to keep my family safe, fed, and together.

It was through my church family that I first heard of GAMAID Foundation, and from that moment their compassion became our anchor. For nearly four years, the GAMAID team has provided me and my loved ones with secure shelter—ensuring we always had a roof over our heads. In 2024, they extended a ₦130,000 interest-free loan to cover our house rent so my family could join me, and when funds ran low they gave me another ₦20,000 to meet our feeding needs. For the past seven months, my young son has been enrolled in their monthly feeding program, receiving ₦20,000 each month, and they even contributed ₦16,000 toward balancing his school fees. Beyond these vital gifts, GAMAID offered counseling in my darkest moments, helped me find meaningful work, and provided medical care when I needed it most.

The impact of this holistic support has been nothing short of transformative. With stable housing, my family was reunited under one roof, restoring our dignity and giving us room to heal. Regular meals replaced the pangs of hunger, allowing us to focus on our work, our studies, and our dreams. My son’s place on the feeding list and the assistance with his school fees opened new doors of education and hope. Through job referrals, I reclaimed my financial independence and found purpose in serving others.

My deepest gratitude goes to GAMAID Foundation—and to God, who uses their hands to meet the needs of the least among us. Your generosity has not only provided home and healing for my family but has renewed our faith in community and compassion. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry abundantly, that many more lives may be uplifted as ours has been. Amen.