ABOUT US
The Desmond-Onwukwe Shalom Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to creating meaningful and lasting change in underserved communities across Nigeria. Founded by a group of passionate individuals determined to confront poverty and inequality head-on, our foundation focuses on education, vocational training, food security, and economic empowerment as the keys to unlocking opportunity and breaking the cycle of poverty.
We believe that every person, regardless of their background, deserves the chance to thrive. Our approach combines community engagement, capacity building, and advocacy to support vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and the elderly, in achieving personal and professional growth.
We build strong partnerships with local stakeholders, develop innovative, community-led programs, and impact thousands of lives through our diverse services, from education support and skill acquisition to food distribution, microfinance, and job placement.
At our core, we are change makers, working every day to promote equity, dignity, and hope. Through collaboration, compassion, and commitment, we’re building stronger communities where everyone has the tools and support they need to succeed.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Ijeoma Finehome Ukaobasi is a dedicated social innovator, educator, and community leader with over two decades of experience in development work, education, financial management, and grassroots empowerment. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of the People, a Bachelor’s degree in Insurance from Imo State University, and multiple certifications in areas including disaster management, data use, monitoring & evaluation, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.
Her professional journey includes serving as a Finance Officer and Management Team Member at Olive & Olive Multi-Services Ltd, where she helped drive strategic growth and staff capacity development. Her earlier work as a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer for the AIDS Relief Program shaped her understanding of data-driven program development and community-based interventions.
Driven by a passion for equity and systemic change, she founded Desmond-Onwukwe Shalom Foundation, a nonprofit organization addressing poverty and economic inequality through education, vocational training, and advocacy. She also coordinates youth-focused programs with the It’s Possible Project (IPP) and leads women’s empowerment initiatives through her church’s women’s ministry.
Her grassroots leadership is grounded in lived experience, local knowledge, and a strong vision for a just society where all individuals, regardless of background, have the opportunity to thrive. With a proven track record of designing impactful programs, building strategic partnerships, and mobilizing communities, she is committed to breaking cycles of poverty and empowering the underserved through inclusive and sustainable solutions.
Mrs. Ijeoma Finehome Ukaobasi
Funder
Mr. Rowland Okechukwu Oguledo
Co Funder
Mr. Nwaobia Ekenedirichukwu Gospel
Co Funder
Feature Project
DOSF envisions a future where gender, social strata, religion, color, tribe, etc, are no barrier to success. We are positioned to work toward this by making education and skills training open and affordable to all, especially the vulnerable. We shall offer high-demand skills training programs that meet real job market needs, educational support, and ensure there is no discrimination of any sort, and that people from all walks of life feel important, heard, and valued. Through community events and awareness campaigns, we shall challenge unfair beliefs and promote respect for humanity and diversity. Our success indices shall be that more women start businesses, more youths find jobs, more people achieve their dreams, more elderly are supported, and more families build stable incomes and futures. We believe that together we shall build a stronger, united, and more hopeful community, hence our slogan, Desmond-Onwukwe Shalom Foundation! “Empowering Lives! Creating Change.!! Shalom!!!
