GAMAID
- July 25, 2025
Cleared with Care: Annette Offiong’s Journey to Completion
My name is Annette Offiong, and in both 2023 and 2024 I found myself facing an unexpected hurdle in what should have been the straightforward task of completing my university clearance at the University of Uyo. Although lectures had ended, the hostels were closed and my family lived in another city, so when my rent expired I suddenly had nowhere to stay. Each time I journeyed back to campus for clearance, I worried not only about the administrative paperwork but about where I would sleep that night.
It was through my church family that I first heard about GAMAID Foundation, and their response transformed my predicament. On two separate occasions—once in 2023 and again in 2024—GAMAID welcomed me into one of their nearby houses, sparing me the strain of hunting for last-minute lodging. For a total of five months across those two visits, I was not only given a secure place to rest but was also provided meals throughout my stay. When my initial attempt at clearance proved unsuccessful and I had to return months later, they offered the same grace again, feeding and housing me until I could finalize my registration.
Living in that community of believers offered far more than practical help. The godly brethren who shared that house became mentors, friends, and “accountability partners.” They spoke words of correction when I veered off course, offered gentle rebuke when stress threatened to overwhelm me, and celebrated with me when breakthroughs came. I arrived feeling lonely and uncertain—and left feeling embraced by family. One recurring health issue that had troubled me for years finally broke its cycle; through their prayers and support, I experienced healing in body as well as spirit.
Perhaps the greatest relief came for my parents, who watched anxiously as I navigated clearance deadlines, transportation costs, and daily expenses for food and lodging. Knowing that I was safely housed and fed during those critical weeks freed them from months of financial worry. I was able to focus completely on completing my clearance—without the extra burden of unpaid rent or empty stomachs—and to return home with both paperwork and heart unencumbered.
To GAMAID Foundation and everyone who opened their doors to me: thank you. Your willingness to shelter and sustain me through two seasons of uncertainty has left an indelible mark on my life. Please don’t stop being a blessing to students like me—you are changing destinies one act of kindness at a time.