THANK YOU Project - History
In 1998, Charles Uwakwe Okorie left his native Nigeria with his wife and newborn daughter and a suitcase of their belongings to start a life in America. With next to nothing, he has seen the good that comes from his faith and he felt it was time to give back to those less fortunate. This is his calling and he started the THANK YOU Project.
With the help of others, the THANK YOU Project will provide 3 simple needs to those effected in the Ututu and Arochukwu area as well as Achi in Oji River. Those needs are:
The goals of the THANK YOU Project and laser focussed and attainable with the help of people like yourself. With education, one can not only change the path they will take but they can change their surroundings and even the world around them. Drinking water will allow families to not be thirsty and have something that many of us cannot fathom living without. The form of enlightenment will come form the long term goal to provide a house of worship in the form of a church.
THIS IS CHARLES' STORY
Charles Uwakwe Okorie was born in 1963. He was fortunate to grow up in a gated community in Nigeria. "Growing up, I could see the poverty and need of our people once we drove out of the gates of the community", Charles says. Some life defining events occurred in his life and they are shared here.
Towards the end of forth grade, Charles' headmaster, Mr. Stephen Amete, told his father that it would be a waste of his time and intellect to go through fifth and six grades. Mr. Amete suggested that Charles take the common entrance exams with other sixth graders to enter into seventh grade.
He passed and at an age of just under 10 years old, he was in seventh grade. Off to boarding school he went as directed by his father, Elder Robinson Okorie Sunday. "I remember vividly being picked up by the driver every Friday evening in order to get my uniforms washed only to be brought back to school on Sunday evening for the next school week", Charles recalls.
After high school, Charles wanted to study architecture in College. Charles stated "I wanted to study architecture because I felt the need of my people and was convinced that as an architect, I would have the wherewithal with which to help humanity".
Charles took the JAMB (Joint Admissions & Matriculation Board) exam and chose architecture as his field of study. To his surprise, he was not offered admission on his very first attempt to go to college. "I had thought that my intellect was invincible. I did not know what to do. I had to wait another year to sit for the exam again. In my anguish, I prayed and made a vow to God. This was my prayer:
God, if I am able to pass this JAMB exam and get into college to study architecture, I will worship you as long as I live. I will use the fruits of my labor as an architect to glorify your name and to serve humanity."
The next year, Charles took the exam again and when the JAMB results and scores were published nationwide, he was number one on the list of students that were offered admission to study architecture in Imo State University. Charles recalls, "I was in total disbelief. It dawned on me that God had empathetically answered my prayer. Now, it was up to me to fulfill my vow… while I am still able… Now!!."
In college, he met my beautiful wife, Ijeoma (Nee Igbogbahaka) who has a doctorate degree in optometry. Meanwhile, Charles graduated with a Masters’ degree in Architecture and upon graduation, he worked briefly for a firm before incorporating his own Design/Building Company, CBD Designs, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Charles and Ijeoma were married in 1997 and our first daughter was born in 1998. Their future was looking good. In 1999, their lives would suddenly change. Ijeoma received a package from the US Department of State. She was offered a US green card and citizenship. There was one catch- they had to move to the States that year.
"I was in total shock and felt both deflated and elated because this was not in my plan. Late one night, while I was pondering this, I was convinced that God was making it easier for me to reach my goals in order to fulfill my vow to him."
In the fourteen years since coming to the United States, Charles feels uneasy. "I have done nothing for God, my community, and humanity. This is totally unacceptable. If I die today, I really do not have anything to show for all that God has done for me".
The Thank You Project is what has come from this. This is the Mission of the Vision. A Vision for Me and Everybody who wants to give back to humanity. Please, join us today, while we are still strong and able.
The vision will be fulfilled as follows:
Please, join Charles to bequeath a legacy to humanity.
Join me to proclaim that God has been good to us.
Join Charles to give back.
This is the Mission of the Vision of Thank You Project.
Thank you.
Charles U Okorie
Nashua, New Hampshire, USA.
June 06, 2014
The Okorie's have been blessed with four children- two boys and two girls.
In 1998, Charles Uwakwe Okorie left his native Nigeria with his wife and newborn daughter and a suitcase of their belongings to start a life in America. With next to nothing, he has seen the good that comes from his faith and he felt it was time to give back to those less fortunate. This is his calling and he started the THANK YOU Project.
With the help of others, the THANK YOU Project will provide 3 simple needs to those effected in the Ututu and Arochukwu area as well as Achi in Oji River. Those needs are:
- Education
- Drinking Water for rural areas
- Enlightenment
The goals of the THANK YOU Project and laser focussed and attainable with the help of people like yourself. With education, one can not only change the path they will take but they can change their surroundings and even the world around them. Drinking water will allow families to not be thirsty and have something that many of us cannot fathom living without. The form of enlightenment will come form the long term goal to provide a house of worship in the form of a church.
THIS IS CHARLES' STORY
Charles Uwakwe Okorie was born in 1963. He was fortunate to grow up in a gated community in Nigeria. "Growing up, I could see the poverty and need of our people once we drove out of the gates of the community", Charles says. Some life defining events occurred in his life and they are shared here.
Towards the end of forth grade, Charles' headmaster, Mr. Stephen Amete, told his father that it would be a waste of his time and intellect to go through fifth and six grades. Mr. Amete suggested that Charles take the common entrance exams with other sixth graders to enter into seventh grade.
He passed and at an age of just under 10 years old, he was in seventh grade. Off to boarding school he went as directed by his father, Elder Robinson Okorie Sunday. "I remember vividly being picked up by the driver every Friday evening in order to get my uniforms washed only to be brought back to school on Sunday evening for the next school week", Charles recalls.
After high school, Charles wanted to study architecture in College. Charles stated "I wanted to study architecture because I felt the need of my people and was convinced that as an architect, I would have the wherewithal with which to help humanity".
Charles took the JAMB (Joint Admissions & Matriculation Board) exam and chose architecture as his field of study. To his surprise, he was not offered admission on his very first attempt to go to college. "I had thought that my intellect was invincible. I did not know what to do. I had to wait another year to sit for the exam again. In my anguish, I prayed and made a vow to God. This was my prayer:
God, if I am able to pass this JAMB exam and get into college to study architecture, I will worship you as long as I live. I will use the fruits of my labor as an architect to glorify your name and to serve humanity."
The next year, Charles took the exam again and when the JAMB results and scores were published nationwide, he was number one on the list of students that were offered admission to study architecture in Imo State University. Charles recalls, "I was in total disbelief. It dawned on me that God had empathetically answered my prayer. Now, it was up to me to fulfill my vow… while I am still able… Now!!."
In college, he met my beautiful wife, Ijeoma (Nee Igbogbahaka) who has a doctorate degree in optometry. Meanwhile, Charles graduated with a Masters’ degree in Architecture and upon graduation, he worked briefly for a firm before incorporating his own Design/Building Company, CBD Designs, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Charles and Ijeoma were married in 1997 and our first daughter was born in 1998. Their future was looking good. In 1999, their lives would suddenly change. Ijeoma received a package from the US Department of State. She was offered a US green card and citizenship. There was one catch- they had to move to the States that year.
"I was in total shock and felt both deflated and elated because this was not in my plan. Late one night, while I was pondering this, I was convinced that God was making it easier for me to reach my goals in order to fulfill my vow to him."
In the fourteen years since coming to the United States, Charles feels uneasy. "I have done nothing for God, my community, and humanity. This is totally unacceptable. If I die today, I really do not have anything to show for all that God has done for me".
The Thank You Project is what has come from this. This is the Mission of the Vision. A Vision for Me and Everybody who wants to give back to humanity. Please, join us today, while we are still strong and able.
The vision will be fulfilled as follows:
- BUILD A CHURCH- Design and build a place of worship in my community.
- PROVIDE WATER by drilling water boreholes to provide clean drinking water to Ututu and Achi communities, respectively
- EDUCATION- Offer full college scholarships to indigent students in Nigeria as follows:
Please, join Charles to bequeath a legacy to humanity.
Join me to proclaim that God has been good to us.
Join Charles to give back.
This is the Mission of the Vision of Thank You Project.
Thank you.
Charles U Okorie
Nashua, New Hampshire, USA.
June 06, 2014
The Okorie's have been blessed with four children- two boys and two girls.