In April 2017, just after medical school, I was serving Nigeria as one of the two resident doctors, covering a population of more than 120,000 persons in kolokuma opokuma, Bayelsa State. One evening, I was called to the emergency unit of the health centre to behold a 5 year old girl who was brought in as very weak, very pale and very ill. We did a quick packed cell volume which was 8%, indicating that she was severely anaemic and she had high pluses in the malaria test done. She only managed to say "I want to go." I hurriedly asked for a blood donor, because there was no ready blood available since the facility doesn't store blood. Just before someone could be bled, she died in my arms. It was a very sad experience.
I later learnt that many children died the same way, out there in the fisherman camp where they lived across the waters. There was no functional health care centre there and many homes did not have mosquito nets. Therefore many children born and bred there at the river banks, died of malaria, which could have been prevented or cured.
So I thought deeply about it, called a few friends and took a trip, crossing forests and rivers, until we reached the camps where we met the children and their parents and did a survey of the health conditions there. These children also were not educated as teachers didn't want to come to such an environment to teach them. We ate rice in their hut also, it was Easter Sunday.
So I told my team, our goal is to reach out to volunteers, government, partners and sponsors, then engage our time, efforts, resources and professional skills unto making underprivileged children healthy and smart.
Empowering communities through education, health, and compassion, our NGO stands at the forefront of change. In our dedication to child education, we strive to unlock every child's potential, ensuring access to quality learning regardless of circumstance. Complementing this, our commitment to child health drives initiatives that provide essential medical care, nurturing not just bodies, but also bright futures. Through targeted medical outreaches, we extend our reach beyond borders, offering hope and healing to underserved communities. Every step we take is a testament to our belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive. Join us in our mission to build a world where every child's right to education and health is not just acknowledged, but fiercely protected.
Competence
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Diligence
Resilience
Sustainability
Equality
Accountability
Christian Oko is a Nigerian Doctor, commited to the health and education of underprivileged children in Nigeria. He studied medicine at the University of Nigeria under merited scholarship by Shell Petroleum and Exxon Mobil Ltd and later founded this organisation to continue the Community Development works which did with others during his national service year. In 2017, he served in Bayelsa state, and did more than 20 Community Development Service Projects, for which he received the Governor's best Corper award. During that period, he partnered with the WHO and UNICEF to eradicate polio and monkey pox from Nigeria.
With the Healthy and Smart Children Foundation, Dr Christian continues to do lots of works of impact in the communities for which he was later awarded the UK Chevening Award for Global Leaders in 2019. This included a Health Economics and Policy MSc Scholarship at the University of Birmingham, one of the prestigious Russell schools in the UK. There he was a member of the School Board of Trustees, representing more than 10,000 international students. He later won another scholarship for a Masters in Public Health, and did a diploma in Health Research at the Lancaster University. In 2021, he recieved the NYSC Nigerian Presidential Honours Award where he was further offered a scholarship and employment opportunity by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He has worked at several top organisations like the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and was involved in Covid-19 research with the University of Oxford and Global Surgery research with the London School of Economics and UK National Institute for Health Research. He also works as a clinician in the hospital as he continues to lead the organisation. He received the Global Surgery Advocate award, for improving surgical care for children in Ebonyi state Nigeria.
Christian enjoys planning and executing impactful projects that will improve the health and education of underprivileged children. He also loves meeting people who share the same vision as he partners with them to reach out to a wider population. He sings and plays the piano and likes writing poems.
Sinéad is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. She holds a post-graduate Certificate in Education.
Sinéad has worked for over 30 years in education. Firstly, in adult education and for the last 25 years in post-primary schools mainly in Northern Ireland. She held the position of Charity Co-ordinator during one of her tenures. She co-ordinated charitable events to fundraise for both local and international charities but also helped promote awareness and develop a greater understanding of inequality on a local and global scale within her school community.
Sinéad is passionate in her belief that every child should have the chance to reach their full potential irrespective of religion, race or socio-economic background.
Daniel Okpani Iheanacho, an experienced Medical Doctor with a Master’s in Public Health, I am passionate about Primary care, healthcare financing, policy, and Health Technology Assessment (HTA). I am dedicated to reducing health inequalities, particularly in underserved communities, and have been instrumental in the founding and management of the HASCF, driving impactful health interventions.
I currently work as a Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Officer at Oxford Population Health, in Oxford University, where I ensure that patients and the general public are actively involved in health research.
As the pioneer Project Manager of HASCF, It has been an honour contributing my expertise to shape the future of Children in underserved communities. Currently, the Research and Academic Coordinator and a Member of the Board of Trustees.
Anasiudu Uche Maryjoy is a Chemistry Graduate, Certified CPD and 21st Century Educator by Alison and Microsoft respectively.
She is an Administration and Data Entry specialist with over 5 years experience in Security and Safety, Accounts, Logistics and Operations.
All her qualifications, certifications and experiences are channeled towards transforming and positioning the lives of Children and Youth to be all that God wants them to be.
Ekuma Okechukwu Eziuloh (Pst Maurice Ekuma) Is a young passionate Global Health Leader/Advocate with particular interest in Public Health, Youth Development and Information Technology. He has managed many projects in Public Health, Social Works and Information Technology which includes Ngodo Geriatrics Medical Missions, Ibii Children Medical Outreach, Afikpo Children Surgical Mission, Post Abortion Care Project, Women Livelihood Empowerment Project, SMEDAN Digital Skills Facilitator to mention but a few. He is currently the South East Regional Coordinator for NITDA/NYSC DL4ALL Project in Nigeria.
He holds Google certifications in Digital Marketing and Foundations of Project Management. He also has certifications in the UN-SDGs advocacy and SRH advocacy.
Pst Maurice holds the following academic qualifications too: OND, HND SLT, BSc Biology and MPH in view. He is a Pastor at Living Faith Church Worldwide
Anthony Oko is a multidimensional entrepreneur and humanitarian enthusiast who has spent about 12 years empowering and contributing to entrepreneurial and humanitarian services. In collaboration with Like Minds, he hosted a Value Minds Youth empowerment in 2014 on ICT, agriculture, and mini importation. Establishing Tonyhopkins Consults in 2015, he dedicated the entirety of his years to empowering students in academic research and ICT and, most remarkable was his pet project on women entrepreneurs financing program in Northern Nigeria that was funded by the CBN under the financial literacy CDS. In 2017, his student literacy program on basic ICT and research was sponsored by Afrihub and Zenox, empowering over 200 students across schools.
Between 2019 and 2021, he was a resource person promoting rural entrepreneurs in accessing over 250 million to over 30 start-ups under the AGSMEIS Federal government of Nigeria loan and grant through the Bank of Industry and Niseral, which gave rise to notable businesses like Trinidax Consult.
Aside from personal empowerment and humanitarian activities for the less privileged education and skill acquisition, Anthony has researched assiduously on women's entrepreneurship financing in rural Nigeria.
He believes in human empowerment and skill acquisition.
Dr. Christian Oko
Executive Director
Fedrick Oko-Otu
Project Manager
Camila Upkai
Executive Secretary
Kelechi Onwukwe
Finance Officer
Mr. Maurice
Outreach Manager - Health