Welcome to the web page of the CAN Obiejemba Family Foundation. I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as the first President of this Foundation. As the co-chair of the Board of Directors, I am encouraged by the Foundation’s commitment to improving services targeting critical areas of healthcare, education, agriculture, and community partnerships in Nigeria. I am also inspired by what the foundation can become in the future, both here in the US and in Nigeria. The covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the role private foundations and philanthropies such as ours play in society are now more critical than ever.
To best understand our commitment to those we serve and our role in this world, I encourage you to explore our web page more and contact us. It is our responsibility to raise funds to help the foundation provide needed services and support more families. I am always reminded that no matter where one goes, always to remember the road that leads one home.
Like most organizations, I expect that the foundation will evolve over time, bringing its resources and influence into new geographies to reach those in need and introduce new wits that support various initiatives. Even in the toughest of times, we hope to achieve significant milestones. I expect us to reflect proudly on our successes at the end of each year, even as we commit to projecting our reach forward.
I believe that we face a transformative moment in life today, especially due to the prolonged impact of covid-19 in the coming years. Many non-profit organizations are introducing new ideas and innovative programs that will help advance the shared mission of improving life in the world’s poorest communities. We are excited by these opportunities and look forward to partnering with other non-profits in the coming years. Our investment approach will remain to invest capital that dares to go where governments and markets have failed, and aid has fallen short. Thank you for your financial support, and I hope you will continue to join us in our future endeavors as we bring solutions to the world.
Dr. Obinna Obiejemba
President
To best understand our commitment to those we serve and our role in this world, I encourage you to explore our web page more and contact us. It is our responsibility to raise funds to help the foundation provide needed services and support more families. I am always reminded that no matter where one goes, always to remember the road that leads one home.
Like most organizations, I expect that the foundation will evolve over time, bringing its resources and influence into new geographies to reach those in need and introduce new wits that support various initiatives. Even in the toughest of times, we hope to achieve significant milestones. I expect us to reflect proudly on our successes at the end of each year, even as we commit to projecting our reach forward.
I believe that we face a transformative moment in life today, especially due to the prolonged impact of covid-19 in the coming years. Many non-profit organizations are introducing new ideas and innovative programs that will help advance the shared mission of improving life in the world’s poorest communities. We are excited by these opportunities and look forward to partnering with other non-profits in the coming years. Our investment approach will remain to invest capital that dares to go where governments and markets have failed, and aid has fallen short. Thank you for your financial support, and I hope you will continue to join us in our future endeavors as we bring solutions to the world.
Dr. Obinna Obiejemba
President
2021-2022 President’s Letter
I want to start with a note of gratitude to all our donors, board members, and co-chair. Throughout this past year, as the world continues to deal with the lasting impact of covid-19, our foundation remains resilient, delivering grants to families in some of the world’s poorest communities. Our foundation also reached several milestones. We have gone from a small philanthropic organization to a private foundation registered in Maryland, USA, and now a public charity in just over one year.We finished the year 2021 strong, delivering nearly USD 40,000 to about 100 families in Nigeria. With these non-repayable grants, many small businesses were started, and many others expanded. We strongly believe that empowering people and building their capacity to generate income is a more sustainable approach to poverty reduction and economic development. The lives touched by these grants go beyond the families. Empowering people yields more than just giving handouts now and then. More importantly, families will be fed, people will be employed, and living standards will be uplifted. We will continue in our efforts to raise more funds to reach more families. With each passing quarter, we became most united in essence and determination.
We will be starting the new year in an even stronger position — ready to serve more people and achieve our longstanding ambition of setting the pace on how international nonprofits could reduce extreme poverty for the long term. Today, we continue to strive towards that vision and mission, and the covid-19 pandemic continues to motivate us to accelerate our work. We will continue to find ways to partner with other nonprofits to deliver more for those we serve.
Consequently, as we embark on this new year, remember you are part of a team on a journey to reimagine the way nonprofits should work in the world’s poorest communities. Therefore, together we can help people live better lives and support their families in their communities. In conclusion, I remain indebted to our donors, our team, and many other local and international nonprofits doing profound work during this difficult time.
Dr. Obinna Obiejemba
President
2022-2023 President’s Letter
As we usher in a new year, we have renewed hope and excitement for the future. The past three years have shown that we are resilient and, despite the global pandemic that has touched all our lives, great strides have been made by this foundation. Earlier this year, we were recognized with the African Community Service Award! This award acknowledges individuals or groups who have shown a commitment to improve the lives of Africans everywhere, (whether they are in the African Continent, diaspora from an African nation, or a member of the African American community) through any means of active service. This recognition would not have been possible without you – our donors and board members for your willingness to help others.We ended the year 2022 strong with exciting news, delivering nearly USD 100,000 to over 250 families in Nigeria. We begin the new year of 2023 on a note of optimism for our continued growth as an organization. We are all back together again after a few difficult years battling the COVID-19 pandemic to continue our work of helping the poor both here in the US and in Nigeria. We have always stated that 100 percent of every dollar donated to our charity goes towards the beneficiaries. This is how our organization and donors have continued to play a huge role in this extraordinary work. Now, more than ever, we continue to need the donations to assist more families achieve financial independence and rise above abject poverty.
We hope that you will continue your support of CAN Obiejemba Family Foundation Inc in any way you can – whether making a financial donation, becoming a partner, giving in other ways, or participating in any of our fundraising events that are held throughout the year mostly online.
Thank you for your continued support. As a family, we will continue to work together to make hope a reality for many families.
Dr. Obinna Obiejemba
President
September 3rd, 2023 President’s Speech at the ACSA event
I am truly honored to be standing here today to receive this award on behalf of my organization. First, I would like to thank Ms. Saudy Kanu of Harford Old Girls Association USA for nominating us. I would also like to thank the judges for recognizing our work and awarding this Accolade. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my wife – Dr. Nneoma Obiejemba, for her support through this journey. In addition, I would like to thank our board members, represented here today by our treasurer – Ms. Devon Nwaba. I extend my appreciation to our unique donors for choosing us.Although this charity has been a lifelong dream, the first steps towards its registration started three years ago during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the patients my wife and I supported privately required extensive medical and surgical care. That led to a GoFundMe drive to raise more funds. Following that, this charity was founded. Since its inception, hundreds of individuals and families have received grants to start and expand businesses and have been lifted from extreme poverty.
Additionally, we have targeted a catholic primary and secondary school in Imo State, Nigeria. We have equipped their science laboratories with all required materials, fully furnished and stocked their library with books for all grades, and supplied the computer lab with computers, monitors, and other equipment. Sadly, our Ground Zero Foundation grant recipient died in August 2023 from complications of her chronic illnesses. Finally, my profound gratitude to everyone here today and all other charities, including those selected for these awards and those not selected. You have chosen to come here today to witness these transformative works. We will continue to invest capital that dares to go where governments and markets have failed and aid has fallen short.
Thank you
Dr. Obinna Obiejemba
President
2024-2025 President’s Letter
I want to begin with a warm note of gratitude to all our donors, co-chair, board members, officers, and volunteers. Our organization remains on a solid financial footing and has more than doubled our donations and impact. In 2023, our foundation delivered over USD 300,000 to Nigeria, uplifting over 1000 families from extreme poverty. With these non-repayable grants, over 400 small businesses were started or expanded. Over seventy percent of our grant recipients are women from many rural communities all over Nigeria, from the North to the South and East to West. In 2024, we achieved similar results delivering over USD 300,000 to Nigeria and impacting many more families and businesses across all parts of the country. Through the grants provided, we have seen families transform their futures. Akunna, a mother of three from Imo State, used our grant to expand her small tailoring business. With her new equipment, she now employs four women in her community, creating jobs and supporting local families. Suleiman, a rice farmer in Plateau state, with the help of his grants, now has acres of rice fields and employs tens of local rice farmers. Similar stories echo across the regions from Dakup – a livestock farmer in Kogi state who now employs tens of farmers, to Lawal – a business owner in Lagos now employing four men in his businesses, and so many other families, farmers, and businesses in between.In the US, we continue to support many local charities in Baltimore both financially and with manpower and volunteer hours. We focus primarily on homelessness and substance abuse. Some of the organizations we support locally include, but are not limited to, Catholic Charities, St. Louis Catholic Church Clarksville, Healthcare for the Homeless, Penn North Recovery Center, House of Change Recovery House, Deborah’s Place Recovery House, and Magruder Action Organization.
In 2023, we laid the foundation for the science building at St Joseph Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Oru West, Imo State, Nigeria. The school has a population of over 1000 students, with over 200 students enrolled in primary education and over 800 students enrolled in secondary education. The school has over 50 teachers and support staff, including administration. We equipped their current science laboratories with all state-required materials, fully furnished, and stocked their library with books for all grades. We supplied the computer lab with computers, monitors, and other equipment. The work at the school continues due to the dilapidation of several infrastructures that are in dire need of repairs and rebuilding. The foundation also provides steady electricity to the school. Pictures of these can be located on our website’s “Gallery” page.
In 2024, the foundation embarked on house construction for several families in Nigeria. So far, six of these houses have been completed, and the families have all moved in. Several more homes are either under construction or yet to start. Several home repairs for widows were also completed. These projects will continue through the coming years. Additionally, the foundation embarked on several rural water projects, delivering over eight working boreholes, thereby providing a safe, reliable, and cost-effective water source for the impacted rural communities. Several more water projects are planned for the future. The foundation has also embarked on a solar electricity project, supplying free solar electricity to over 20 rural homes and St. Joseph Catholic School. All the new homes are connected to solar electricity and running water. Furthermore, all the constructions highlighted above are done using local labor and materials sourced locally, thereby creating more jobs and stimulating local businesses. Pictures of these can be located on our website’s “Gallery” page.
I want to remind our donors that one hundred percent (100%) of every dollar donated to our charity goes towards the beneficiaries. All our board members and officers volunteer their time and expertise to this charity and collect no salary. A thorough review of the Financial Statements of the CAN Obiejemba Family Foundation for 2023 was completed by AD&A CPAs, LLC -Certified Public Accountants (https://adacpas.com/services/), and the reports are available upon request. As always, we pledge to go to great lengths to maintain transparency with our partners and donors. We share detailed reporting of our activities, leadership, and important work. We connect directly with partners throughout the year who want to dig deeper into our finances and work.
Once again, we will be starting the new year in an even stronger position — ready to serve more families, businesses, farmers, and students. We sincerely hope you will continue to generously support the CAN Obiejemba Family Foundation in any way you can – whether making a financial donation, becoming a partner, or giving in other ways. Thank you for your continued support. As a family, we will continue to work together to make hope a reality for many families.
Dr. Obinna Obiejemba
President