About Us

Echekwu Damian Foundation (EDF) was assembled in the year 2002 as an association of like-minded Nigeria citizens in the rural village of Umuhu in Egbelu-Umuhu Autonomous Community of Imo State of Nigeria.

In a brain-storming session in the house of the leader, Mr. Damian Ifeanyi Echekwu, the need for practical action to tackle the effects of the worsening poverty in the communities around was identified. Notable among these worsening effects were dwindling life-expectancy, increasing crime wave, disease and illiteracy.

The situation was seen to be worsened by the increasing un-employment problem in Nigeria which has defied solution by the various governments of our nation.
Self-employment has settled as the only sensible response. But if this response is not properly guided, it could lead to multifarious criminal engagement by the youths of this country.

The Association began after this useful meeting. An action plan was draw up. First among these actions was creating awareness of the rural problems. Youths were gathered and lectured on the need for personal and collective action to reduce poverty. Some educated dignitaries in the community and neighbourhood were invited to give lectures every month. Topics dealt with ranged from skill acquisition for un-employed youths to tips on HIV/AIDS, crime prevention, water-bore disease, and basic hygiene practices in the home.

 

Next action was periodic launching for fund to assist orphans and widows in the community. Next was leadership role in provision of community development projects. This materialized in the sinking of a water bore-hole in Umuodu Umuhu, which is serving the community today as a source of good water supply.
The Association sponsored ten youths in skill acquisition without asking for a refund of the money spent in the training.

The highlight of the pre-registration project carried out by the Association was the award of a contract by MPP6 in the year, 2004 to renovate a Health Centre in Enyiogugu Community. The successful completion of this project encouraged that Association to seek registration as a legal entity – an NGO. This would enable the Association to seek for financial aid from foreign based organizations.

The registration with Cooperate Affairs Commission CAC, Abuja, finally materialized in November, 2006 under the name, Echekwu Damian Foundation (EDF)

EDF is a non-profit organization. Since after registration it has sent applications for grants to various foreign and African organizations for financial grants, specifically to carry out projects aimed at alleviating poverty in the rural communities. Some of these projects include water bore-holes, health centres, renovation of school buildings, HIV/AIDS campaigns, training of youths in skill acquisition, distribution of food items and cash to the poor, distribution of Mosquito nets to the poor rural children and provision of educational materials.

 

Affiliate Organizations

C.A.N.G.O, CISGHAN, ECOSOC, UN-NGLS, WANGO, UNOWA AND DPI-NGO, NNNGOs, FHI, STANLEY FOUNDATION, LIGHTING AFRICA, USAID, WHO, WATER AID, HEALTH LINK, ICC,UNDP, DYSON FOUNDATION USA, ETC.

 

Government of the Organization, (EDF)

 

The EDF has a constitution which spells out its operations and government.

Aims & Objectives of EDF

 

The aims and objectives of EDF among others include the following:-
To eradicate unemployment, crime and incivility.

To alleviate poverty through assisting those in need, regardless of their religious belief or political persuasions.

To eliminate illiteracy in the community through the provision of educational materials, award of scholarship to the children of the poor and the establishment of rural libraries.

To reduce the incidence of infectious disease and unnecessary deaths through the establishment of health centres and provision of drugs and other health materials

To provide good sources of water in the rural areas.

To serve as an agency for other international organizations with similar aims and objectives.

To assist government agencies in the proper implementation and execution of their poverty alleviation programmes through donation of relief materials and construction of affordable shelter for the poor masses in the nation’s rural communities.

 

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