It is with great pleasure and excitement that I welcome you on behalf of Ikporo Onitsha USA website. Ikporo Onitsha Organization, Inc. USA, also known as Ikporo Onitsha USA. Founded in 2003, is a registered 501(c) (3) national non-profit, non-political, non-governmental, non-affiliate. Women for Women organization located in the United States of America.
Our guiding principles to Engage, Enlighten and Empower Onitsha women are based on the following:
- The premise that women always move with their children and never abandon their family of procreation, therefore the girl child becomes a must train and a must empower.
- The knowledge that “If you educate a girl, you educate a community”
- The indelible fact that “an empowered woman is a productive woman, a health-seeking woman, and therefore a woman who can be entrusted with the survival and wellbeing of herself and her family”.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Ikporo Onitsha USA is committed to engaging, enlightening and empowering Onitsha women to participate in the promotion of the cultural, social, educational, and economic development of Onitsha people in the United States and at home via our programs:
- To provide a forum for Onitsha women in the United States of America to develop a network of support by emphasizing the importance of a united, peaceful, progressive and participatory women’s group.
- To provide a networking forum to support the social, cultural and educational growth of our children and our community.
- To encourage and support the development of practical solutions to health care problems in Onitsha.
- To encourage community service among our children by encouraging volunteerism of Onitsha youths in the service of Onitsha both in the USA and at home.
- To advocate for multi-purpose skills and recreation center in Onitsha that will serve to support the growth and development of our youth.
- To facilitate and advocate for the provision of microcredit to women and youth in order to encourage entrepreneurship.
Our Signature projects are:
Advocacy and Outreach:
- We identify or are made aware of individuals or organizations in need, and we work to identify people (usually, people of Onitsha descent) in and out of Nigeria with the financial capability to assist. Although, this is time-consuming, it works quite well. There is no fanfare, no publicity and often there is a request for anonymity by all individuals involved.
- In America: Support of any Onitsha organization whose mission aligns with ours. Includes but not limited to supporting medical missions, cultural events, and other fundraising efforts by placing ads, monetary donations, or sponsoring event souvenirs.
Onitsha Youth Engagement:
- Summer educational program: We have advocated for financial support for this program and have raised money to support the long vacation program which is organized by Onitsha youth in University and focuses on providing a comprehensive education/preparation for Onitsha youth during the long vacation. We advocate for funding. Previously, we have raised funds by selling lottery tickets to support this effort.
- In the United States, we are building networks for our children and young adults through our members that will foster long-lasting relationships and support of one another. Our youth motto is TEAM – Together Each Achieves More.
Language and Cultural Education programs:
- We are working to develop a comprehensive language and cultural education program to help engage and enlighten our youth and young adults. This includes an understanding of our genealogy, traditions, and customs that make us imbue us with our pride in our hometown.
We welcome you to browse through our website and learn more about our signature programs, past and current events, projects as well as membership benefits. We hope that you will join us or make a generous donation to our cause.
Thank you for visiting our website.
Onitsha Anyi Amaka!
Dr. Joy Egbunike,
Founder
Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma
Co-Founder