Our Volunteers
Our volunteers’ passion for our mission and their unwavering dedication to our cause are truly inspirational. The time, energy, and personal sacrifices they make for the disadvantaged children and parents we serve do not go unnoticed. Because of their commitment, hope is restored, opportunities are created, and lives are transformed.
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Charles Uwakeneme
Given the benefit of a business career spanning five decades in the four continents of Africa, Europe, America, and Asia, I witnessed the realities of extreme wealth and crushing poverty. I have also served as trustee or patron on the boards of various charities ranging from those that provide educational coaching and support for students to those that provide social housing for disadvantaged families in England.
My childhood in West Africa was not comfortable but it was safe and full of hope. Many children in West Africa are now growing up in communities where they see poverty, violence, and child exploitation as the norm. Worse still, because of the lack of education children are often denied the opportunity of hope. Hope is that priceless commodity that every child should have but are far too often deprived of.
With all these experiences, I have seen the transformational powers of education in lifting individuals and society at large. I have come to strongly believe that, if children are educated, as well as coached, and mentored in good character-building practices from a young age, their exemplary behaviour as good citizens will positively influence their peers and their communities at large.
In a world that is becoming increasingly fractured and polarised, we all occasionally suffer from “charity fatigue”. We must not allow cynicism or despair to deprive us of the joy of helping. Our contributions to dealing with these societal challenges may appear small but to the recipient child, they are huge and life-changing. The positive ripple defects of giving some of our time and/or some monetary donations are long-lasting.
So, please join the UCEP family in Giving the gift of HOPE to these children of our future.
Thank you.
Charles Uwakaneme
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David Ogilvie
David Ogilvie was born in Edinburgh in 1951, the son of a Gordon Highlander, and was educated at Ampleforth College in Yorkshire. After studying Medieval History at St Andrew’s University he qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) in 1980 and then set up his own accountancy practice in Edinburgh, retiring in 2018. David specialised in family businesses, agricultural estates and trusts and is still involved in a number of local charities promoting riding for the disabled, community projects, sustainable food consumption, the reduction of plastic waste, the pilgrim routes to St Andrews and Scottish culture and heritage. He believes in supporting communities in a manner appropriate to each community and is a director of The Livingstone Initiative, which provides support for the community in Zambia, including education for girls and orphans who would not otherwise get it.
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Emily Westley
Born in Glasgow in the 70’s we moved to Hastings in the 80’s to find work, and I had to work with my mum to help pay the bills from the age of 10 and so education was not a priority in my household. We are however lucky to have a free education system here in the UK and eventually I went on to be the only person in my family who went to university where I got my Law degree. I am a mother and grandmother and know how important education is and I am humbled and excited to have been asked to join the UCEP family to help educate children in Africa who would otherwise not have the opportunity to go to school.
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Mike Harris
Hi I am Mike and I was born and live in South Wales.
After finishing studying at the University of South Wales, I started my career developing software for the Oil industry. I have spent the last 25 years working as Head of IT at a large manufacturing & Distribution business. I retired at the end of 2023 and have been doing consultancy work and enjoying reading, listening to music and walking my dogs since then.
I am volunteering to help UCEP to help make a difference and give disadvantaged young people a chance of a better future.
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Mrs Chinasa Okoroafor
I joined UCEP Team to contribute my quota for the less privileged and ensure the best is gotten from them in terms of their education, health, and social development. UCEP have done well here and seeing the outcome from their various programmes and the activities in the lives of the aged, widows, and orphans I encouraged myself to be part of this great movement.
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Loren Charlton
Hello, I’m Loren and I’m delighted to be part of the UCEP team.
I’m the proud father of two little boys and I’m passionate about giving everyone the opportunity of education and life experience. Education runs deep in the Charlton family as my Grandfather was a professor at Warwick University and was an early activist for diversity and equal opportunity. I’ve worked for a major UK bank for the last 17 years and outside of work and family I’m a keen sports enthusiast and amateur mountaineer.
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Alison Pengelly
I was brought up in Lancashire, where I attended the local primary school, followed by Bolton County Grammar school, then moved on to Warwick University where I qualified as a teacher. I spent several years in Surrey but now live in Eastbourne. I have two grown up sons.
As a partly retired teacher with almost 40 years experience in a variety of schools, I am excited and privileged to have been asked to become involved with UCEP and the work they are doing in Nigeria. I believe education is vitally important as it is the key to unlocking potential in everyone. I look forward to making a difference in the lives of the children that UCEP support.
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Bola Emmanuel Fatusin
I am delighted to be part of the UCEP family and passionate about its dedication in helping the less privileged.
I am a business leader and entrepreneur with vast experience in Finance and Technology globally. I have been involved in numerous charity organizations, a keen supporter of elevating poverty and illiteracy around the world particularly in Africa.
Through my documentary photography as a creative, my travels around the world has shown me how contributing financially or giving your time can transform the lives people for generations to come.
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Sara Buttimore
My name is Sara Buttimore and I’m a 57-year-old primary school teacher on the Isle of Man. I am very involved in the project UCEP as I feel passionately that education is the best way to help children to succeed, not only financially but also integrally. Teaching the children what being a good citizen is about will help them to become contributing members of society and can only improve the outcomes of their own lives and help them to help others. By enabling them to build their characters in positive ways, UCEP can set these children on the right path. Giving them an awareness of the dangers, they may face as they grow towards adulthood and strategies to face and deal with these challenges will help them to make better choices and lead them to be better people. Who wouldn’t want that for every child?
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Ojinta Oji-Alala
Ojinta Oji-Alala is a Fellow of Computer Association of Nigeria. He was a former President and Chairman of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria. He has now retired and lives in his village in Aba area of Abia State where he is engaged with Community and social services.
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Lee Woolford
I’m a web developer from Brighton, mostly front end these days, with some desktop support experience. When a colleague at my day job asked if I could help out a charity with some web integrations, I said I would be happy to see if I could. After speaking with Charles and some of the other members of the UCEP team, finding out about the great work and aims of UCEP, and seeing how I could contribute, I was glad to come on board and pitch in.
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Tina Gausden
I'm Tina and I proudly serve as a volunteer for UCEP. I was educated in Eastbourne, and this helped to shape my career in leadership. This in turn has made me a huge advocate for a solid education, and I truly believe this secures a brighter stage for the future of our children.
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Rosemary Onuoha
I am a Salesforce Certified Administrator and Client Relationship Manager with over four years of experience in operations support, customer relationship management, and process improvement. I enjoy using technology and data to help teams work more efficiently, improve communication, and create better user experiences.
I would love to join UCEP because I value communities that encourage growth, learning, innovation, and meaningful impact. Being part of UCEP would give me the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, contribute my skills, learn from others, and continue growing both personally and professionally while supporting initiatives that create positive change.
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Dr Chikezie Okike
Dr Chikezie Okike is an educationist who has taught at the Russel Group of universities (Durham University Business School, The University of York Management School and The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne) and other universities in the UK and Saudi Arabia where he was MBA director. He is an accomplished academic with publications in international journals of operations management which is his area of expertise. As director of MBA and other academic and business units he has a proven track record of achievements in people and curriculum management.
Chikezie has a passion to help the challenged and less privileged members of society which is demonstrated in his charitable work. He is trustee of Hope Spring Sunderland which provides educational, physical and mental health support and care for the most vulnerable young people in society. He is also non-executive advisor to Book Aid For Africa (BAFA). BAFA has shipped 1000’s of books free to educational institutions in many African countries which is making an impact on the education of students.
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Celestine Adigweme
I have always considered myself to be one of the lucky beneficiaries of Nigeria’s post-colonial education system, which was widely adjudged to be productive as well as fit for purpose. Sadly, I have been an unwilling witness to the decay and collapse of that system. The restoration of the system to its rightful state is indispensable to the future development of the country.
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Zara Milanova
I’m delighted to join a team dedicated to improving children’s development and education. With my experience as a business analyst, I’m eager to leverage my skills to enhance the efficiency and impact of UCEP’s goals. My strong background in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is particularly relevant, as implementing a new CRM system offers significant benefits for non-profit organizations like ours.
A CRM system allows us to centralize and organize data related to our stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and program participants. This centralized database enables us to better understand our supporters’ preferences, track interactions, and tailor our communications accordingly. By doing so, we can cultivate stronger relationships and increase engagement, ultimately leading to greater support for our cause. Additionally, a CRM system facilitates more efficient communication and collaboration within our team. With shared access to up-to-date information, we can coordinate efforts more effectively, streamline workflows, and ensure that everyone is working towards our common goals. Furthermore, by leveraging CRM analytics, we can gain valuable insights into donor trends, campaign effectiveness, and program outcomes. These insights enable us to make data-driven decisions, identify areas for improvement, and optimize our strategies for maximum impact.
Overall, implementing a new CRM system not only optimizes our processes but also strengthens our connections with stakeholders, enhances our fundraising efforts, and improves our ability to achieve UCEP’s mission of empowering children through education.
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Professor Elewe Okike
Professor Elewechi Ngozi Modupe Okike is an education and training consultant, having spent close to four decades in the higher education sector in both the UK and overseas. She was the Head of Accounting and Finance at the University of Sunderland between 1996 and 2001. She has been a member of the Conference of Professors of Accounting and Finance (CPAF), UK since 1997, and Visiting Professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Qassim University, Saudi-Arabia, and Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria. Prior to joining academia in 1980, Elewechi was in professional accounting practice.
Elewechi strongly believes that every child in Africa deserves good education as a right, and not as a privilege. Hence, given her passion to address the imbalance in educational provision in Africa, in 2007, she established Book Aid for Africa (BAFA) (http://www.bookaidforafrica.com), as a UK registered Charity. The Charity has shipped over half a million books to several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra-Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and by so doing, has helped to improve the quality of educational provision in these countries.
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Ruth Hansford
I was born in Wales and educated in London from 5 years old. I enjoyed just the best education that anyone could wish for from Primary School in Dulwich to Grammar School in Westminster. Completing my career as finance manager to a large medical practice in Eastbourne.
I cannot imagine being without this superb teaching. I feel that everyone, wherever they are, should be able to fulfil their potential through education.
I am so happy to be able to help UCEP continue to do the great work that they are doing in any way that I can.
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Lara Elder
I am currently studying International Relations at the University of Liverpool. I'm very interested in foreign policy, especially concerning developing countries, and I also love to travel to be able to understand many of the cultures more thoroughly.
I was fortunate enough to have a great education myself, and understand how lucky I am, as many children across the globe, especially in countries around West Africa do not have access to things many of us consider so basic such as education. Which is why I would love to help in any way I can to ensure these children are able to thrive.
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Deborah Asekome
I’m Deborah Asekome, an experienced administrator with a strong background in developing and implementing systems that enhance operational efficiency and support organizational growth. Over the years, I have led various administrative functions including team coordination and process optimization across different sectors. I am passionate about creating impactful systems that support learning environments, especially for children in underserved communities. Joining UCEP aligns deeply with my commitment to child development and access to quality education, and I am honoured to contribute toward empowering the next generation.
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Sulaimon Olayinka
Sulaimon Olayinka Sumonu is a passionate professional member of Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology with a strong background in Food Technology, Data Analysis, Graphic Design and Printing . A First Class graduate from the University of Ibadan, he combines scientific knowledge with practical skills in food safety , quality assurance, public health advocacy, and educational outreach.
Sulaimon is also proficient in data analytics, having completed the Deloitte Data Analytics Simulation Program, and has experience using data to support decision-making and public education. In addition, he possesses hands-on experience in graphic design and printing, supporting awareness campaigns, training materials, and educational branding through his work with Optimist Creative Concept. His creative approach enhances message clarity and audience engagement, especially in community outreach and youth-focused programmes.
Sulaimon is committed to leveraging his multidisciplinary expertise to support educational initiatives that promote health, safety, and capacity-building across communities.
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Jacqueline Mbanefo
My name is Jacqueline Mbanefo.
I am a friend of Mr. Charles Uwakaneme.
Mr. Uwakaneme shared information about UCEP with me and asked if I would be interested in being part of it.
I accepted and feel very honoured that he would consider me.
I am a Montessori trained teacher. I have a diploma in early childhood education from the London Montessori Center.
I taught Class 1 at Corona School, Ikoyi for 6 years.
After my time at Corona School ended, I started a small pre-school group in 1980 with 12 children. The number of children increased to 18 one year later when demand for places was very high.
With 4 assistants, I ran my school for 24 more years under the name of Auntie Jackie’s Pre-school, celebrating 25 years and closing down in July 2005.
The time spent with the children, aged between 3 and 5, were the best years of my life. The children learned a lot and I did also.
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Lawrence Uwanta
Lawrence is a dedicated lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who holds a Masters of Science degree in Environmental Microbiology and he is concurrently pursuing his PhD and executive MBA in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. My expertise extends to the private sector, where I contribute to cutting-edge research at Cognig Simeone Biomedicals. My experience includes a valuable internship at the Nigeria Bottling Company.
In addition to my professional roles, I am deeply committed to community service. As the Team Lead and Program Coordinator at STREET2SCHOOL Initiatives, I spearhead various outreach programs for underserved youth, focusing on mentorship and providing essential resources. My leadership extends to projects like ‘Re-imagining Education-X’ and ‘Summer Program Handcraft’, where I introduce innovative teaching methods and practical skills to underserved communities.
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David Okereke
David Okereke is a young dynamic IT professional with special proficiency in Graphics, Microsoft packages & Cinematography. He has built his wealth of experience over few years from working with diverse creative organizations where he has held both technical, administrative, and managerial positions.
He is an innovative, result-oriented personality, with excellent oral and written communication skills. His good analytical sense & flexibility to blend to new working environment is second to none.
Furthermore, haven made my findings about this Charity Organization (UCEP Family), I decided to obey the call and be a volunteer because I have understood that any positive volunteer service rendered to humanity never goes unrewarded by the universe and also because the core purpose of this charity organization (UCEP Family) is to see that no child is out of school as a result of lack of school fees. This aligns to my passion for children being educated regardless of the circumstances they find themselves in.
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Akudo Nwoko
The reason why l am living is to fulfil the mandate of God. l am attracted to be part of UCEP team because I will, through this channel achieve this aim. l am glad to be part of this team, which will enable me to contribute my own quota by touching lives of less privileged people, giving them hope and putting smiles on their faces.
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Mr Theophilus Ogboji
To be the reason for ones smile and happiness is always my joy. So, to be part of UCEP Team has made it easier and simple for me because I will touch many lives and show care to them. UCEP has been the reasons for the less privileged children, widows, and orphans to smile. For that I have joined UCEP to contribute my quota.
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Udochi Nmesoma
My name is Udochi Nmesoma Metu. I am a writer, STEM advocate, and volunteer passionate about education, youth development, and creating positive social impact. Over the years, I have gained experience in content writing, communications, and community engagement through leadership and volunteer roles, including serving as the Women in Engineering (WIE) Chair at my university.
I enjoy using words to inform, inspire, and connect people to meaningful causes.
I would like to join UCEP because I believe every child deserves access to quality education and opportunities to thrive. UCEP’s mission resonates strongly with my values, and I would be honored to contribute my writing skills to help tell impactful stories, engage supporters, and advance the organization’s work in transforming lives through education.
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Laura Kuye
Laura is a dedicated product and delivery manager with 8 years of experience in project management and 13 years in the financial services and INGO sector. Currently volunteering with UCEP Community, Laura brings a wealth of expertise in managing complex projects, engaging stakeholders, and delivering impactful results. Her background includes significant roles at renowned organizations such as Capgemini and United Bank for Africa, where she led initiatives to streamline processes and enhance customer experiences. Laura’s proficiency in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies, coupled with her diverse skills in product and engagement management, make her an invaluable asset to the UCEP team. Passionate about community development, Laura is committed to leveraging her skills to support UCEP’s mission and drive sustainable growth and improvement in the communities served.
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Doctor Uchechuku
Dr. Uchechukwu is a data enthusiast with a strong stint in monitoring and evaluation in development agencies. With a background in biochemistry, he seeks to leverage data science and AI in drug discovery towards cancer therapeutics. He is an ardent and passionate academic with a desire to transform the academic and research landscape in Nigeria with innovative AI ideas. As part of his transformative goals, he brings his wealth of experience and skills to advancing the frontiers of education through the vision and mission of UCEP.
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Emmanuel Ikechi
My name is Emmanuel Ikechi, a Web Developer with strong skills in social media management, digital communication, content coordination, and community building. I currently serve as the Social Media Manager for the AWS Student Builder Group, FUTO, and as a Tutor Lead at the Interswitch Developer Community (FUTO 2025/2026), where I support learning, collaboration, and community engagement within developer spaces.
I am particularly interested in how technology and communication can be used to support organizations in reaching and impacting more people effectively. I am applying to UCEP because I believe that access to education should not be limited by circumstances beyond a child’s control. Education is a fundamental need, and depriving children of it creates long-term disadvantage not only for them but for society as a whole.
I would like to contribute my skills in digital communication and community engagement to support UCEP’s mission of improving access to education for less privileged children and helping create equal opportunities for learning and growth. I believe that today’s children are the foundation of the future, and investing in them is an investment in our collective progress.
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Ugo Amogu
Ugo Amogu resides in Abia State in Nigeria. With a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration and Management, she worked for some years in Veritas Law Chambers before setting up Ugobest, her Computer Business Services company.
She has volunteered to support UCEP in its mission because of her desire to help engage and add value to the lives of less privileged children in our society. She hopes to contribute her administrative and management skills and experience to UCEP.
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Brorhie Alozie
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Frank Gomenti Abanum
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Ellie Jones
I have a passion for equality of opportunity for children in the world. Education is the most vital thing in a child’s life, it allows them to shape their minds to deal with some of life’s hurdles, develop aspirations to achieve a good standard of life and learn how to interact with others. In some cases, education can help provide children with a chance to survive, where without it they may become subject to poverty and further deprivation of necessities. It is a moral obligation of mine to help others and utilise my fortune and education to do so.
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Ola Kuye
Olakunle Kuye is a seasoned Scala Developer with a rich background in harnessing advanced functional programming to deliver robust digital solutions. With a career spanning over several years in various high-stakes environments, including public service at HMRC and innovative tech roles at TSYSTEMS and Deloitte, Olakunle has honed his skills in API development, system integration, and software deployment. His technical proficiencies encompass a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, making him a versatile and adept contributor to any technology-driven project.
Currently, Olakunle dedicates part of his time to volunteering at UCEP Community, where he applies his technical expertise to support the organization’s digital initiatives. Passionate about leveraging technology for social good, he aims to enhance the digital presence and operational efficiencies of UCEP, ensuring that the community benefits from streamlined access to resources and services. Olakunle’s commitment to UCEP Community not only reflects his professional capabilities but also his personal dedication to contributing to meaningful change and development within underserved communities.
Please help a child today
Whether you’re making a one-off gift or a monthly donation, thank you. Your gift will help children get the education, mentorship, and care they need.
