“Repairing broken lives and communities, restoring hope” Isa 58v12
Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
Harrow Grace is a Christian women and children advocacy non-profit agency that aims, in collaboration with like-minded groups and individuals, to release women and children from spiritual, economic, social, and poverty. It is committed to promoting the well-being of vulnerable women and children in Nigeria, Africa, and around the world by providing food, shelter, medical help, education, life training skills, mentoring, health programs.
Harrow Grace Foundation was founded by Pastor (Mrs) Efe Oluwatosin following a missionary visit to Gbaupe, a settlement community in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory in 2015. With an estimated population of 6,000, one hundred years after the first group of hunters settled in Gbaupe, the community still lacks the necessities of life such as clean water, electricity, and access to modern educational and health facilities. It is almost impossible to comprehend that these people dwell so close to the seat of power of Africa's largest economy and are yet so far removed from the trappings of wealth that surround them.
Gbaupe, a small, ancient community on the outskirts of Abuja, faces severe challenges that make daily life a constant struggle. The only road linking Gbaupe to the Federal Capital City has been ravaged by erosion, making travel difficult and isolating the village. The community's education system is also limited, with only a Local Education Authority (LEA) primary school and a junior secondary school. This marks the end of their educational journey for many young people who cannot afford to attend schools outside the village.
The village head, Danjuma Gajere, expresses deep frustration over the dire conditions. "We are neglected when it comes to basic amenities," he says. "Imagine having to travel to the city just to bring water to the village. We pay 200 Naira for transportation, plus 20 Naira for a keg of water. Those who can't afford this go to the river instead. Our wells are unmaintained and sinking. The new ones are beyond our reach. It's exhausting."
Despite numerous appeals to the area council, no significant progress has been made. Gajere explains, “The authorities know about our situation, but nothing tangible has been done despite promises. We have no electricity, and the only road to Kuje, which the current administration once graded, has fallen into disrepair after the rains. How can we connect to the rest of the Federal Capital Territory?”
There is, however, a glimmer of hope. The road linking Gbaupe to the nearest town is currently under renovation, and poles have been installed to provide electricity. However, residents are still waiting to see when these projects will be completed, bringing them closer to the modern conveniences many neighbouring villages enjoy.
One of the community's challenges is its lack of representation in government. “We don't have influential figures in government to advocate for us,” Gajere notes. “Many of us didn't have access to formal education, but now we recognise its value. We have university graduates among us, though most remain unemployed. Politicians only remember us during election campaigns, making promises they quickly forget once elected. We are far behind neighbouring communities like Goabi, Dafara, and Piye.”
The residents also live under the shadow of environmental hazards caused by the nearby quarry operations. These activities generate pollution and dangerous vibrations, creating a constant sense of fear. Many residents suffer from respiratory issues, like persistent coughing, but with no medical facility in Gbaupe, there is little they can do.
The companies responsible for these quarries have failed to uphold their corporate social responsibilities, offering no tangible benefits to the community in return for their operations.
The plight of Gbaupe's women and children inspired the creation of the Harrow Grace Foundation. As such, they will be the first to benefit from the Foundation's work, which aims to bring hope and positive change to this overlooked community.
Harrow Grace Foundation is a Christ-centred organisation dedicated to honouring Jesus Christ in everything we do. By partnering with local churches, we focus on supporting vulnerable women, children and young people in their communities, empowering them to make lasting changes in their lives. While Christ's love inspires us, we support children and families from all backgrounds, regardless of their beliefs.
Our belief is simple but powerful: transformed individuals are the most effective change agents in their communities and nations. That's why we focus on supporting each person, knowing that when one life is changed, it can create a ripple effect that impacts many others.
Integrity is a cornerstone of the Harrow Grace Foundation. We are committed to treating everyone with dignity and upholding the highest standards in managing and allocating resources. Our financial practices reflect our values of transparency and stewardship, with most funds directly supporting those in need. Administrative costs are minimal to ensure maximum impact on the lives of women, children and young people.
Accountability is central to our organisation. We conduct regular audits to ensure that funds are properly received, tracked, and managed, and we carefully monitor the effectiveness of our programs. We are committed to measuring real progress and ensuring long-term development in the lives of those we serve.
We invite you to stay informed about the specific projects we are working on and see firsthand how we are making a difference in the lives of women, children and young people. Through updates, you'll learn more about the unique challenges faced by the families we support and how we can make a meaningful impact together
At Harrow Grace Foundation, we are committed to earning and maintaining your trust as we work to transform lives, one individual at a time.
Thank you so much.
Mrs. Efe Oluwatosin