GAMAID
- July 24, 2025
From Classrooms to Commerce: Victory’s Triumph Through GAMAID
I am Victory Brown, 23 years old, from Uyo in Akwa Ibom State. Before GAMAID came into my life, my family and I were caught in the grip of deep financial hardship. With no accommodation of my own, I was forced to squat with a friend, and on many nights I had no choice but to sleep in empty classrooms on campus. Each morning brought the same pang of anxiety—finding something to eat was a daily struggle, and I could hardly afford my school fees. The weight of it all threatened to crush my dreams; I stood on the brink of dropping out, wondering how I could possibly continue my education under such crushing circumstances.
Then, like a stream breaking through parched earth, help began to flow. GAMAID stepped in and became my lifeline. First, they provided me with stable accommodation—over a year and a half of a safe place to call home, free from the niggling worry of where I would sleep each night. They covered my tuition for two full semesters in 2024, lifting an enormous burden from my shoulders. For more than two months, I received consistent food support that filled my stomach and allowed me to focus on lectures instead of survival. In early 2025, when medical expenses threatened to derail me, they stepped up again with over ₦20,000 in medical care, ensuring I could see a doctor and receive treatment without fear. Beyond these practical gifts, GAMAID offered business counselling and motivational coaching—guidance and inspiration that would ignite a spark of entrepreneurship within me.
That spark grew into a flame when I began baking and selling scone bread. What started as a hopeful experiment under the mentorship of GAMAID’s volunteers has blossomed into my primary source of income. Each loaf I sell represents not just financial gain, but a testament to the life-changing power of belief and support. Their investment in my potential didn’t just meet my immediate needs—it gave me the tools and confidence to build a future of my own making.
Today, I stand on my own two feet in every sense of the phrase. I remain in school, my academic journey uninterrupted by the specter of homelessness or hunger. I now shoulder my personal expenses, easing the financial stress on my family, and even find moments to lend a hand when they need it. The transformation in my life has been profound: from nights of uncertainty in empty classrooms to the steady rhythm of entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
From the depths of my heart, I thank GAMAID. Your timely kindness came when I needed it most, turning despair into hope and potential into reality. Because of your generosity, I am thriving—and in turn, I am able to lift others as you have lifted me. May God richly bless and reward everyone who made this possible. Thank you for being vessels of love and impact.