Adani Care is an example of how Diaspora Nigerians look in with love to their country of birth from the comfort of their homes in America. Mrs. Josephine Nneka Jemie, a tech specialist who lives in the Great Lakes region, is one more good example. She launched Adani Care Foundation to alleviate the pains of “widows, orphans, youths, adults, the sick, and the elderly.” Her goal, she says, is to empower them with “skills training, employment, soft loans, medical care and wellness counsel.”

As she said at the launching, the Foundation aims to “reduce abject poverty and raise the standard of living so that families should not have to choose between being able to feed and obtaining medical care when they are sick.”

Josephine vowed to set aside part of her earnings to “solve the challenge of hunger, ill-health, unemployment, lack of education and marketable skills” in Nigeria. As she said at the Foundation’s formal inauguration, the overarching challenge is to improve quality of life, deliver stronger qualifications for jobs, and a brighter future for the vulnerable in our rural communities.

Although she lives with her husband, the redoubtable Prof. Onwuchekwa Jemie, in Indianapolis, she says she will never forget her roots in Nigeria.

A grand entry

Adani Care is barely 14 months old but has done a lot to meet the goals set by the Board. It was formally launched  on 5 January 2022 at her birthplace of Evuazu, Obeleagu Umana in Ezeagu local council of Enugu State, Nigeria.

As she said at the launching, the Foundation aims to “reduce abject poverty and raise the standard of living so that families should not have to choose between being able to feed and obtaining medical care when they are sick.”

As part of its 2023 objective, she plans to provide “medical care, wellness counselling, education, technical/vocational skills training to needy youths and adults, and soft loans to petty traders and artisans.” 

Mrs. Jemie (2nd left) with Rev. Fr. Eze and other community guests at the inauguration

Over 400 men and women from the community attended the formal inauguration. Several community leaders expressed their joy at this development, which they said had never happened before in their community. The event began with a Catholic Holy Mass conducted by Fr. Louis-Mary Eze of St Peter’s, Obeleagu Umana. Thereafter, the community proceeded to a medical and welfare outreach.

A team of three physicians, a nurse and a pharmacist attended to 245 patients. They screened them for malaria, typhoid fever, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. Those in need received medications, some with follow-up referrals to hospitals and clinics.

On the welfare side, the foundation shared 45 bags of 50kg rice among the most needy families. The organizers also served a sumptuous meal to all attendees. The community cheered when the founder announced that this was only the beginning.

 “Evuazu, Obeleagu Umana village, where this launching took place, is the starting point of a long journey,” Mrs Jemie said.

Planning for the future

“Adani Care plans to grow and expand and reach out to many more rural communities in Nigeria.

She described the 5 January 2022 inauguration as “a preliminary and limited affair, which she exclusively funded. The Foundation held a follow up event at the same venue on the founding anniversary, 5 January this year.

The Foundation has launched ambitious N80 million projects for 2023 and is soliciting for funds to augment. The fund provides “medical care, education, as well as technical and vocational skills training to needy youths and adults.”

Her Foundation also plans to give soft loans to petty traders and artisans.

She appealed to citizens willing to partner on the project to use the Adani Care website to make a contribution.

Adani Care, from America with love

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