MAKING AN IMPACT
We’re a team of passionate people who want to make a difference in the world. We’re using our skills and talents to make a positive impact on our communities
WHY WE'RE NEEDED
With over 200 million people, Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in Africa. 70% of the population relies heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods. With such a large percentage of the population depending on agriculture for their income, it is no wonder that many people are asking why we do what we do.
The answer is simple...
We believe that agriculture is the key to economic development. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, we can help empower smallholder rural farmers to curb land damage, create jobs and spur economic growth. In addition, by increasing land productivity for food security, we can help to improve the overall health of our communities.
We believe that combining regenerative farming and alternative income-earning skills can protect our environment and reduce the rising unemployment among Nigerian youths. Together, we could secure a better, brighter planet.
Uche Isieke
Executive Director
MEET UCHE
Uche Isieke is an experienced, result-oriented rural development professional with over six years of experience formulating transformative initiatives and managing nonprofit (NGO) programs, communications, events, and community support services.
As the executive director of RUWAI, Uche Isieke has proven himself time and time again to be excellent at coordinating an international team of staff, volunteers, and board members across four continents to operate RUWAI efficiently, despite limited funding opportunities.
Isieke is pragmatic, thoughtful, responsible, and an excellent communicator who can keep track of the countless pieces of his organization while staying up to date on the latest relevant information dealing with vital social and environmental causes.
He has a rich experience in community engagement, policies, rural farmers, livelihoods skills development, youth mobilization, communication, climate action, and green (eco-resilient/social impact) projects. With his in-depth knowledge of these topics, his passion for creating genuine and lasting change without shortcuts, and his love for humanity and nature, Uche’s concept simultaneously addresses social and environmental issues by acknowledging the root causes of these challenges.
Uche’s mastery of digital media, such as email marketing, and social media content creation, contribute to advancing inspirational leadership through his impactful storytelling.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resource Management from Abia State University, Uturu, and several relevant professional certifications and membership locally and internationally. Among these are the Nigerian Environmental Society and Nonprofit Society Executives, Pennsylvania, United States.
In 2017, he was made the assistant national consultant to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, LDN program, Nigeria. He is a member of the Nigeria national working group on land degradation neutrality and the African Initiative for Combating Desertification to Strengthen Resilience to Climate Change in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa.
In 2019, Uche began an online campaign to help a needy family whose old house was burned in a fire in rural Nigeria. Through friends and supporters, he raised sufficient funds, paid medical bills for the injured mother and five years old daughter, built a two bedrooms house, and established a business Mr.Uzor to help take care of his family’s needs. The house was completed and opened on July 10th, 2022.
A nominee of the United Nations Indigenous Peoples Fellowship, Uche has over ten internationally published articles to his credit.
Uche’s vision is to inspire and empower local communities to create a sustainable future where people and the environment prosper.
MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS
Tobias Ukeh
Program Coordinator - Sustainable Beekeeping (Volunteer)
Tobias Ukeh is an internationally certified trainer and educator with over 20 years of experience in apiculture and community empowerment. He took relevant professional courses, both locally and internationally, in sustainable bio-beekeeping, as a veritable tool to achieve stable and secured land, food, economy, and environment.
Tobias Ukeh has been leading the Rural Watch Africa Initiative sustainable bio-beekeeping project, with the responsibility for educating and training many of those living in vulnerable rural and underserved communities.
Tammy Abia Humanitarian Project Officer (Volunteer)
Tammy Abia is a public administrator and a girl child and teen educator by profession. She has over twenty years of experience working in difficult environments, ensuring peace and love for the affected.
She demonstrated her professionalism in handling conflicts that erupted between oil host communities and international exploration companies in favor of the environment, people, and livelihoods.
Ihezuo Emmanuel Program Officer (Volunteer)
Ihezuo Emmanuel Chima is a graduate of Agriculture Economics and Extension from Abia State University, Umuahia Campus, Abia State. He is passionate about sustainable development and communication and ran a Crop and Animal farm, educating youth and women in Agriculture.
His dream is to become a university lecturer and one of the top development practitioners.
Chukwudi Obinna Intern (Volunteer)
Chukwudi is a young environment enthusiast. He joined the RUWAI Climate Action Club during high school. John has since been actively involved in the Legacy fruit trees for schools campaign.
He is presently on an internship while rendering essential services to the organization.
$20
CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
$20.00 can make a real difference. You can also give your time by becoming one of our Ambassadors. Or you can join us and get updates on projects and other opportunities to make a difference.