11Nov By giftfoundationglobal.org27 November 20230Non-profit GIFT, which stands for Great Innovators Foundation for Transformation, is a non-profit organization dedicated to tackling hunger and poverty in Nigeria. Our mission is to make a positive impact on people’s lives by providing education, healthcare, skill training, green energy, and more. We firmly believe that agriculture is a powerful tool for raising funds and creating sustainable solutions to these pressing issues. The visioneer of GIFT, Grateful Itiowe was raised in a home that practiced sacrificial and charitable giving. Her mom would give out the last foodstuff, while her dad generously gave money even when there wasn’t much left. Her mom dreamt of running a charity store to aid the underprivileged in the church and community. Despite this vision, she engaged in various entrepreneurial pursuits to support her dad, a full-time missionary, and help those in need. Inspired by her, Grateful delved into entrepreneurship during university, running multiple small-scale businesses. These ventures not only provided funds to assist students in need but also supported gospel causes on campus. During her MBA in the UK, she encountered the charity shop model her mom envisioned. Despite limited work hours as an international student, she volunteered extensively, witnessing how funds from the store supported diverse causes, from aiding children in winter to building schools. Attending the Lausanne Movements Global younger leaders gathering in Indonesia further shaped her perspective. A “poverty meal” activity aimed at highlighting global hunger struck a chord. Some participants, however, dismissed it, suggesting funds could be better used. This compelled her to pray for the purpose not to be lost. That night, she pondered solutions for reducing hunger and poverty simultaneously. The answer came in the form of the Great Innovators Foundation For Transformation (GIFT). She transformed part of her MBA dissertation into a business plan, emphasizing a profit-making but not profit-keeping agricultural model. This organization would farm, process, package, and sell products, while also training the underprivileged in sustainable and profitable skills. Upon returning to Nigeria, she used donations to set up a computer business center, redirecting funds to assist welfare and missions in her church community. After registering the charity/non-profit/NGO, the pandemic happened and prompted food distribution to vulnerable communities, providing over 7,000 meals. GIFT facilitated skills training for widows to start businesses, engaged in education support for missions and rural schools, and conducted various outreach programs. Now, seven years after the initial vision, the call is to agriculture. We seek funds, as we embark on practicing sustainable agriculture. This venture will generate revenue for empowering the poor, combating hunger, and supporting various initiatives, including scholarship awards and developmental projects. Currently, our pioneer work is focused on Katsit Gida, a community located in Kafanchan, Kaduna state, Nigeria. We have been granted approximately 100 acres of land, where we have already started planting yam, taking advantage of the current planting season. This initiative aims to not only address immediate hunger needs but also create opportunities for long-term economic growth and self-sufficiency. However, we cannot achieve our goals alone. We are actively seeking support, partnerships, and willing donors or investors who share our vision and are passionate about making a difference. By working together, we can create lasting change and help improve the lives of those living in poverty. There are several ways you can contribute to our cause: 1. Financial Support We are actively seeking volunteers, team members/leaders, partners, funders, grants, and donations. Your financial contributions can go a long way in supporting our agricultural projects, providing essential resources, and funding education, healthcare, and skill training programs. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a significant impact on someone’s life. 2. Partnership Opportunities If you represent an organization or business that aligns with our mission, we would love to explore partnership opportunities. Together, we can leverage our combined resources, expertise, and networks to create sustainable solutions that address hunger and poverty in Nigeria. We seek partnerships for various aspects of the project, such as sinking boreholes, digging wells, purchasing tanks, piping irrigation systems, and installing solar panels, sponsoring the clearing and cultivation of hectares, with standing name posts named after sponsors, build classrooms, furnishing classrooms and providing equipment like solar systems or any other way you feel led to make an impact. We are also open to sponsors to contribute to the project by providing needed resources to helping us achieve our goal. 3. Volunteering If you have the time and skills to spare, consider volunteering with GIFT. Whether you are a farmer, educator, healthcare professional, or have any other relevant expertise, your contribution can make a real difference on the ground. Contact us to learn more about our volunteer programs. 4. Spreading the Word Help us raise awareness about the issues of hunger and poverty in Nigeria by sharing our mission and activities with your friends, family, and social networks. By spreading the word, you can inspire others to get involved and support our cause. At GIFT, we are committed to reducing and eradicating hunger, one city at a time. We believe that by empowering communities through agriculture, education, and sustainable development, we can create a brighter future for all. Join us in our mission to make a lasting impact and transform lives in Nigeria. We currently have planted yams in about four (4) hectares of land and hoping for funds to cultivate the remaining parts. You can send us an email or simply give us a call, we’d love to hear from you. Grateful Itiowe, Visionary gitiowe@giftfoundationglobal.org