Mag. Dr.phil. John Umeojiakor founded the social welfare project „Kids in Nigeria“ in 1995 and has supported it ever since to build and maintain the Good Shepherd Nursery / Primary School. In 2014, he founded the ‘Chukwuemerie Social Project Austria’ association’ together with Dr. Melitta Walchetseder. ‚Father John‘ is head of the association and its representative. The Catholic clergyman was ordained priest in Nigeria on August 31, 1991.
In February 2000, he then came to Austria where he worked as a curator in various parishes of the diocese of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. During this time, he also studied philosophy in Salzburg and completed his studies in late 2010. ‚Father John‘ has been priest of Aurolzmünster in Upper Austria since September 1st of 2010 and also holds an important office in the church of Mehrnbach, a nearby village.
Josefa Bruckbacher is the association’s secretary. The federal employee from Nußdorf became aware of the situation of the children in Nigeria through the committed work of ‚Father John‘ and wants to help:
„The kids need our support in order to be able to go to school on a regular basis and receive an education that they need so desperately to escape poverty. It is their chance for a better future.“
David Oder is responsible for the finances of the association. The trained retail salesman from Aurolzmünster got involved because he knows how much the kids in Nigeria love to go to school:
„Education is very important to them. They deserve to learn everything they need in order to enter the workforce and get a good job.“
Dr.med. Melitta Walchetseder supports ‚Father John‘ and acts as deputy chairperson. The general practitioner from Aurolzmünster has worked as head doctor of the public health insurance company of Upper Austria OÖGKK for 30 years. As a sponsor of a student in Nigeria she got to know more and more about the country:
„On the one hand, I am shocked by the high level of poverty in most parts there. On the other hand, I am fascinated by the people. They are so full of joy and values like hospitality, family and solidarity are a matter of course for them. They stick together and if they somehow can, they help anyone in need. This is why I chose to support ‚Father John‘ and his project. Education is the key for meaningful, lasting aid.“
Petra Oder from Aurolzmünster is the secretary’s assistant. As a passionate housewife and mother, children naturally matter to her:
„I think these kids have no hope for a future without education. They have talent and skills, but cannot use or develop them. The money their families can get together is not enough.“
Patience Okoli, BA is the cashier’s assistant. Originally from Nigeria, she has been living in Austria since 1992. She studied here as well and worked as an accountant at the Danube University Krems and also as a research assistant at the Department for Migration and Globalization of the university.
As vice president of the ‚Igbo Women Association Vienna‘ - Igbo being her mother tongue - she also wants to help children in Nigeria.