What Your Support Makes Possible
TEF Stories
The Skills That Changed My Life—Now They're Changing Theirs
When news reached Mr. Awule Robert, the Dean of Studies at Ebenezer International Academy, that The Esther Foundation was bringing its TEF UPSKILL Programme to the school, it did more than spark excitement.
TEF Stories
The Loudest Voices in a Teenager's Life Are Not Always the Wisest
Every generation has its challenges.
But today's teenagers are growing up in a world unlike any before it—a world where identity is constantly negotiated, comparison is only a scroll away, and the pressure to fit in can be overwhelming.
For many students, the struggle isn't simply passing examinations. It is learning how to remain true to themselves in a culture that often rewards popularity over purpose.
TEF Stories
The Nigeria We Want Begins With the Children We Raise
Every Nigerian dreams of a better nation.
We long for leaders with integrity, communities where honesty is rewarded, institutions people can trust, and opportunities that allow every child to thrive.
But perhaps the question we should ask is not simply, "How do we change Nigeria?"
TEF Stories
The Cost of an Unfinished Education
Every child who leaves school carries more than an interrupted education.
They carry interrupted dreams, unrealized potential, and a future that becomes increasingly uncertain.
For Mrs. Lovett Amaku, Founder of Davidson Academy, Abuja, this is not a distant statistic—it is a reality she witnesses every day. Working closely with children and families, she has seen how financial hardship quietly forces students out of classrooms and into lives they never imagined for themselves.
TEF Stories
The First Stitch Toward a Bigger Dream
Every dream begins somewhere.
For Terungwa Kenneth, that beginning came with a measuring tape, a pair of scissors, and a determination to learn something that could shape his future.
TEF Stories
When Hope Came for Christmas
For many families, Christmas is a season of celebration—a time when homes are filled with laughter, tables are shared, and hearts are warmed by the joy of giving.
But for countless others, Christmas carries a different story.
It is the season when empty pockets become impossible to ignore, when parents quietly wonder how they will provide even the simplest meal for their children, and when widows, elderly persons, daily wage earners, and struggling families wrestle with the painful reality that another festive season may pass them by. While many count their blessings, others count their disappointments, hoping against hope that a miracle might find them before the year comes to an end.
Parents' Story
Pastor Isaac's Story
For Pastor Isaac, the impact of The Esther Foundation is personal. He is not only a parent of Goodness and Mercy, a Basic 7 student at Ebenezer International Academy, but also serves as a teacher within the school. From this unique position, he has witnessed firsthand the difference TEF's intervention is making in the lives of children.
According to Pastor Isaac, TEF has had a significant impact on his children, particularly through the TEF UPSKILL Programme, which introduced them to practical skills beyond their regular academic curriculum. His daughters are currently learning soap making and hairdressing, skills he believes can become valuable foundations for their financial independence in the future.
“Hope Had Already Visited My Home”
Sometimes, the first encounter with hope happens long before you realize where it came from.
“Hope Had Already Visited My Home”
Sometimes, the first encounter with hope happens long before you realize where it came from.
I am Mrs. Jennifer Mbafan Terhemen, the mother of Andrew Terhemen and Jacqueline, who are in Nursery 1 and Nursery 3 at Ebenezer International Academy. Today, I also serve as the tutor of Basic 3 in the same school, but my story with The Esther Foundation began long before I became a member of staff.
Before I ever worked at Ebenezer International Academy, I had already experienced TEF through my children. My son would return home from school with exciting stories about the Foundation's visits and the thoughtful packages they received. As a parent, watching him come home with so much joy made me realize that these visits were about more than gifts. They were creating moments that children looked forward to, moments they carried back into their homes with excitement and gratitude. Even then, I could see that someone cared enough to invest in the lives of these children.
Later, when I became a teacher at the school, I experienced that same impact from a completely different perspective. I watched TEF bring the UPSKILL Programme into our school, transforming ordinary classrooms into spaces of creativity and possibility. Students were introduced to practical skills such as hairdressing, soap making, fashion design, catering, and basic technology skills, and I saw firsthand the excitement, curiosity, and confidence those sessions ignited in them. What I had first witnessed as a mother, I was now witnessing as an educator—a Foundation that was not only encouraging children but equipping them with skills that could prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
My message to The Esther Foundation is simple but heartfelt:
Keep it up.
We at Ebenezer International Academy look forward to seeing you again and again. Your work brings hope into classrooms, joy into homes, and encouragement to everyone who believes that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and flourish.
“Four Parents. One Answered Prayer.”
Every parent dreams of giving their child a better future. Yet for many families, that dream is tested by a simple question: “How will we keep our children in school?”
“Four Parents. One Answered Prayer.”
Every parent dreams of giving their child a better future. Yet for many families, that dream is tested by a simple question: “How will we keep our children in school?”
For four parents at Ebenezer International Academy, that question carried a different weight. Their stories were different, but they all arrived at the same moment—when hope seemed uncertain, and The Esther Foundation became part of their journey.
One mother remembers the constant fear that came with the rising cost of raising her children. School fees weighed heavily on her heart, but she held on to her faith, believing God would make a way. Looking back today, she sees TEF's intervention as an answer to those prayers—a reminder that hope often arrives through people willing to stand in the gap.
Another father recalls facing one of the most difficult financial seasons of his life. Just when the pressure seemed overwhelming, his child received a scholarship through The Esther Foundation. There could not have been a more perfect time. What might have become another painful setback became a moment of relief, allowing his child to continue learning without the uncertainty that had overshadowed his family.
For another parent, the struggle would have been familiar—the kind of burden many families quietly carry every school term. But this time, the story unfolded differently. The scholarship eased what would have been another difficult chapter and replaced worry with renewed confidence that their child's education could continue.
Among the voices was also that of a widow raising two children. Her gratitude was unmistakable. Knowing that one of her children had become a scholarship beneficiary filled her with hope, not simply because of the financial support, but because someone had chosen to invest in her child's future.
Though their circumstances differed, their message to The Esther Foundation was remarkably similar. They spoke words of gratitude, offered heartfelt prayers, and expressed their hope that many more families would experience the same kind of timely intervention.
Their stories remind us that the impact of a scholarship extends far beyond the student who receives it. It reaches anxious parents, strengthens struggling families, and restores hope inside homes where uncertainty once lived.
Because sometimes, changing a child's future begins by lifting the burden from a parent's shoulders.
School Partners' Story
The Story of Ebenezer International Academy
When Proprietor Terungwa and his colleagues started Ebenezer International Academy, they were driven by a simple desire: to give back to society and create an opportunity for children to receive an education.
It was not an easy beginning.
When Support Says, “You Are Seen”
The impact of The Esther Foundation extends beyond the children we serve. We believe that the people who teach, nurture, and support children also deserve to know that their work matters.
When TEF extended salary support to staff of Lighthouse Leading Academy, the response was immediate and deeply personal. For some, it was a relief at a difficult time. For others, it was encouragement to keep going. But beneath the different words was a common message: they felt remembered, valued, and supported.
I’m so grateful to TEF Foundation for the salary subsidy. It’s indeed a big relief and encouragement.
I like to express my deepest gratitude to the TEF team. Thank you for making us know that the work we do at LLA is special, and that we are seen and valued.
I appreciate the TEF Foundation greatly for extending a hand in a time like this. I pray God bless them and keep their family safe. It gives us the courage to go the extra mile.
This is coming in a moment when all hope is lost. To the generous hearts that have put this together for us, may God bless you all, uphold and strengthen you.
Thank you TEF for extending your kind gesture to LLA. The subsidy was received and it is very timely.
Special thanks and appreciation for the extended financial assistance. May God bless and replenish the source of this support.
Our profound gratitude to The Esther Foundation for their generosity towards our noble school community. We pray God bless and replenish you tremendously.
Thank you TEF for your kind gesture. God bless you in Jesus’ name.
These messages remind us that impact is not always measured in large numbers. Sometimes, it is found in the relief that comes when someone receives help at the right moment; in the encouragement that makes someone keep going; and in the simple but powerful realization that someone sees you and values what you do.
For TEF, supporting the people who make education possible is part of strengthening the entire ecosystem around a child. When educators and school communities are strengthened, children are better positioned to learn, grow, and thrive.
Teacher Omotola's Story
I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the entire team at The Esther Foundation (TEF) for the salary subsidy extended to us at this crucial time.
There are moments in life when a little support means so much more than its material value. It becomes a reminder that someone sees you, understands that things may not always be easy, and is willing to stand with you when you need it most. That is what the salary subsidy from TEF meant to me.
Volunteers' Stories & Testimonials
From Uncertainty to Purpose — Joy Ajayi's Story
My name is Joy Ajayi, and I am currently a student in Makurdi. I volunteer with The Esther Foundation.
Before I joined The Esther Foundation, I was just another student trying to figure life out. I struggled in my spiritual life—I didn't know how to pray consistently, how to organize myself, or how to build a genuine relationship with God. I also found it difficult to express love, not only to people around me but even to myself. I lacked confidence and never really believed I could become someone God could use for His purpose.
Discovering My Purpose — Esther Epebinu's Story
My name is Esther Epebinu, and I am currently a student in Makurdi. I am also privileged to serve as a volunteer with The Esther Foundation. Today, I want to share how this Foundation has transformed my life.
When I first encountered The Esther Foundation, I was at a point in my life where I was searching for direction. I wanted to understand who I was, what God had created me to become, and the purpose He had for my life. Like many young people, I had questions about my future and needed guidance to navigate both my spiritual journey and everyday life.
