James, the elder of the church, wrote an epistle to the Church of God during their trying times, teaching them why it is a must to live out their faith even in such times. James knew that it was practically difficult to live the Christ-like life in the face of persecution but he also knew that there are numerous benefits that will accrue to such persons. This explains why in the Chapter one of his epistle and in verse twenty-seven, James did not forget to charge believers on a very important attribute of Christian living. He said: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”. The first part of this verse highlights that Children of God nay every member of the society must not neglect the poor and the less privileged in the society. This is true Christianity.
It, therefore, goes without saying why this Bible verse forms the core mission of Dr John Onwuatuegwu Nneke Foundation founded by a United Kingdom based medical doctor, Dr John Onwuatuegwu Nneke to reach out to the less privileged in the society: widows, orphans, the sick, the unemployed, the aged, and every member of the vulnerable community to give them a better life. Dr Nneke who is from Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State is a firm believer in creating a safe society that allows everyone to thrive and maximize their potential. This is why he has set out to practicalize the dictates of James 1 Vs 27.
For him, through the foundation, these neglected members of society will smile again and feel among. Dr Nneke wants them to know that they are not forgotten. He looks back to his past where he was born into a poor background and to his present where he is a successful doctor and understands no one is exempted from greatness. Hence, he wants to ensure that these people who might feel dejected today because of their condition, will not relent in an effort to maximize their potential. Dr John Onwuatuegwu Nneke Foundation is a project that gives special joy to the founder, Dr Nneke.
As a well traveled humanitarian, Dr Nneke also knows that poverty, negligence and increasing number of the vulnerable in society is necessitated by dysfunctional societal system. Thus, to address it, his foundation will not just be focused on giving handouts. He hopes that the foundation can also contribute immensely to addressing social deprivations and lopsided structures. This addresses another important arm of his foundation which is to engage in people and community development. Dr John Onwuatuegwu Nneke Foundation is the fulfillment of the audacity of vision.
Dr John Onwuatuegwu Nneke Foundation or “DJON’ Foundation” was birthed officially in April this year after many years of touching lives positively. A non-governmental and non-denominational organization, the foundation has trained priests in the Anglican Church and seminarians in the Catholic Church empowering them with different skills. It began with a six person membership who include Obiora Ifediegwu, Christopher Orakwe, Okolo Ozidi, Ijeoma Okoye, Ada Igbo Edith Obumnaeme and Paul Nnagbogu. These members met on a weekly basis to initiate ideas on how to better peoples lives, come up with programmes and projects to bring empowerment to widows and the unemployed, and ways to visit the sick and the elderly. From the initial six persons, the foundation has grown to a membership of over thirty persons. The way they cater for themselves and the less privileged in the society, and behave like one family have continued to attract well meaning indivuals as members of the foundation. In fact, the foundation has grown to elect an executive who meet on weekly basis to implement the projects of the foundation while the entire members of the foundation meet monthly.
Driven by the motto, “In God, we trust”, Dr John Onwuatuegwu Nneke Foundation in less than one year has made great achievements but will not rest on its oars. Its vision after the Christmas celebrations is to expand into other communities in Anambra East Local Government Area, reach out to more less privileged persons in the society, impact, touch and better more lives. In the words of the founder, “By the grace of God, many more goodies shall come on board through Dr John Onwuatuegwu Nneke Foundation”.
Written by IFEANYI MBADUGHA
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