A serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, Amb.(Dr.) Evangeline Ozonyiri, has said that her act of kindness is a lesson she learnt from her late parents.
She made this known on the occasion of Ozonyiri Charity Day at Leru Secondary School field, Leru Umuchieze in Ummunneochi Local Government Area of Abia, on Tuesday.
The event sponsored by Ivyline Care Foundation, was in loving honour and memory of her parents, Late Rev. Chinyere and Late Rev. Sorochi Ozonyiri.
The foundation distributed food and non food items as well as cash to vulnerable households in Leru Umuchieze, to support them, especially during the Yuletide.
Among the items donated were bags of rice, gallons of vegetable oil, cartons of tomato pastes, bags of salt, mattresses, mats, clothing, buckets and writing materials.
They were distributed among the five villages in Leru, including Ugwu Leru, Achara Leru, Akpu Leru, Umuaka and Agbala.
Ozonyiri explained that her kind gesture is one valid lesson she learnt from her parents, especially her father.
“What we have today is a mini version of what my parents were doing every 31st December, where they would host a prayer meeting for members of this village and duly entertain them.
“We decided to come together, have same prayers, hear word of God, while people will receive gifts from Ivyline Care Foundation,” she said.
According to her, I learnt to be kind to everyone despite what they have done to me in the past.
“Serving others selflessly, giving to others, lending a helping hand and a shoulder for others to lean on were practicalised by my parents.
“They are my best blessings,” she said.
Ozonyiri is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of E.M.K Integrated Services Limited as well as the Founder and Lead Coordinator of Ivyline Care Foundation.
She is also a girl child activist and humanitarian, who is passionate about eradicating hunger, inequalities, poverty and contributes to improving healthcare access in vulnerable communities.
Funding the foundation herself, Ozonyiri said had empowered many women and men, and paid hospitals bills for about 250 persons, since its inception in 2019.
She said that the foundation had over the past five years distributed foodstuffs to over 8,000 individuals across 13 communities in Abia, five in Imo and two in Abuja.
Also, she said that the non-profit organisation had donated tools such as sewing machines, grinding machines, motorcycles to help women and youths kick start their journey into financial independence.
“It is something I have been doing at least three or four times a year through my foundation, for the past five years,” she said.
Also, in their separate speeches, Evangeline’s siblings: Mrs. Miracle Ozonyiri Nwaneri, Mrs. Harvester Anwara and Mr. Samuel Ozonyiri, read the lessons they learnt from their parents, to the admiration of the people.
In a message entitled “Is my father still alive?” Rev. Chinedu Nwaogu, admonished the people to turn away from their evil ways and have absolute faith in God in all their endeavours.
Citing Genesis 45:3, the cleric narrated the story of Joseph and his brothers, while warning the people against household enemies.
The Chairman of the occasion, Rev. Festus Nwosu, commended Evangeline and her siblings for organising the event in memory of their late parents.
Also, Mr Patrick Ezeala, who supported the foundation with 40 bags of rice, said he was deeply touched by Ozonyiri’s act of benevolence to the people.
In a brief remark, Ugoeze Agnes Ogoke, wife of Eze Elebechukwu Ogoke, the Leruanya 1 of Leru, expressed gratitude to Evangeline, for touching lives for the past years, especially in the community.
