UGWUOKE CYNTHIA OGOCHUKWU
MY PERCEPTION OF JANET AMU FOUNDATION (JAF) EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCEHOW I HEARD ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
In 2018, I got admission to the University of Nigeria Nsukka, which brought a mix of emotions. I was overjoyed, but it was a bittersweet moment because my father was late, leaving me without financial support. Fortunately, I learned about the Sir Fidelis Chukwuma Asogwa Education Foundation from a seminarian who came for an Apostolic work in our parish. This foundation provided annual bursary awards, and after their exam and interview, I successfully obtained #60,000 in my first year. I was also successful in my second year. However, as I approached my third year, the bulletin, where I usually found announcements, did not have the information I needed. This left me feeling as though my world was crumbling, and I shed tears, fearing I had lost all hope. It was during this anxious waiting period, marked by constant checking, that I chanced upon an announcement about the Janet Amu Foundation in the same bulletin.
APPLICATION PROCESS
I called the number I saw on the bulletin and was directed to visit the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to obtain the application form. Surprisingly, the form was provided at no cost, and all I had to do was complete it and return it as instructed.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
One day, I received a message summoning me to attend an interview in Aku. I felt uncertain about whether it would be a written or oral interview. On the day of the interview, I prayed and embarked on the journey. Thanks to the directions provided in the message, I was able to findthe location. When I arrived, I noticed a significant number of people, and upon interacting with them, I discovered that about 70% of them were from Aku, which made me doubt whether they would support an outsider like me. The interview turned out to be an oral one, and as my turn approached, my anxiety grew more intense. I was nearly breathless when it was finally my turn. As soon as they informed us to leave and await the results, I left, hoping for the best.
SELECTION OF BENEFICIARIES
I was overwhelmed with happiness the day I received a congratulatory message on my phone. It was hard to believe that I had been selected for the scholarship, especially since I had no ties to Aku. My mother was ecstatic and started praying for the generous sponsor and everyone associated with them. Some fellow students from my school, who were also at the event, questioned if I had any connections that helped me secure the scholarship. I assured them that it was my first visit to Aku, and I would not even recognize the Board members if I passed them on the road.
MY AWARD OF #100,000
Receiving the first #100,000 cheque was an unbelievable moment for me. I could not fathom how someone I had never met could be so generous. During that event, the Board members shared insights about Chief Marcel Amu (Ikeoha) and why the foundation was named Janet Amu Foundation. They encouraged us to strive for success and make both them and ourselves proud. Their story convinced me that despite challenging backgrounds, greatness is achievable.
To this day, I view JAF as an exceptional foundation that provides a lifeline to those in need. They have initiated a positive change that is almost unbelievable in the context of Nigeria. Personally, I see JAF as one of the best things that ever happened to me.
God bless JAF Board members.
God bless Chief Marcel O. Amu (Ikeoha) and his family.
God bless my fellow beneficiaries.
To God be the glory.
Ugwuoke Cynthia Ogochukwu. See Other Beneficiaries...
