Taiwo and Mandy Olowu founded Hope Ambassadors and Childcare Organization with the mission of filling the needs of the children in poverty-stricken areas in Nigeria. The needs were many, but, they soon realized that accessible clean water would make the biggest difference to the children’s education, nutrition, and overall health. Boreholes were the solution, so they commenced drilling. In one village over 200 years old, residents have never had clean water, so the impact is immense.
At a point when the couple decided to register their nonprofit officially, they became aware of the Global Goodwill Ambassadors (GGA) organization, a nonprofit headquartered in the United States that promotes and supports impact work throughout the world. Seeing the fit, Taiwo and Mandy joined and quickly integrated themselves into the rich network of impact leaders around the world for which the GGA is known. The benefits have been many and now, Taiwo owns the title of Vice President of Africa Affairs for GGA.
In this conversation with Frontrunners Development President and CEO, the couple shares their journey, their impact, and where they are headed with their work.
Meet Taiwo and Mandy Olowu
Networking opportunity here: They are looking for partners for their Water for Life projects.
Taiwo and Mandy Olowu (Bio)
Mandy Olowu is the President/Founder – Hope Ambassadors and Childcare Organization – Global Goodwill Ambassador– (Co-Chair GGA Nigeria). She is a passionate and indefatigable advocate for a better life for children. And vulnerable people who are disadvantaged by the incidence of birth, social status, natural disasters, wars, and physical and mental disabilities.
She always seeks opportunities to support, assist or cooperate with others. To elevate the living standard of the poor and less privileged– especially children. Through volunteer works or direct interventions.
Taiwo Olowu is a retired banker and serial entrepreneur, who combines hard work with great works of philanthropy in a bid to make the world a better place for many.
He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and has extensive experience in Finance, Marketing and Business Development. In addition, Taiwo takes delight in charity and is constantly finding ways to uplift the less privileged– to inspire and empower the youths and disadvantaged sectors of society.
He is a philanthropreneur, Social Innovator, CSR Consultant, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)/Social Change/Sustainability Advocate and Enthusiast. A passionate mentor and prolific leader of men. Taiwo Olowu is proficient in Non-Profit Management, Fundraising, and Donor and Grants Management. He is currently the Director of Africa for the Global Goodwill Ambassadors (GGA).
Taiwo and Mandy Olowu (Contact & Resources)
Their Organisation’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hopeambassadors
Their Organisation’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hope.ambassadorsandchildcareorg
Water for Life Project—the Journey:
Article on Water-For-Life Project:
Special thanks to our Observer Colleague: Ononuju Silver Okwaraogoma
Okwaraogoma, Ononuju Silver has built experience working with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN.) His expertise has led to the successful implementation and coordination of several multistakeholder interventions. And projects aimed at development in Africa, geared towards achieving the AU Agenda 2063, UN Agenda 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As a young professional, Ononuju has worked with the UN and AU continental strategies and programmes. He has supported African Governments with technical assistance. To implement continental policy frameworks, innovative programmes, and Country Acceleration Strategies. Aimed at achieving the AU Agenda 2063 through Data, coordination, partnerships and resource mobilisation.
Ononuju’s programmatic experience in strategic programme planning/design, policy, management, and stakeholder engagement has led to the successful implementation and coordination of multi-stakeholder interventions. And projects on peacebuilding, education, innovation, and development. In his role with the African Union, he has coordinated the implementation of projects that target education, peacebuilding, and youth development in the African Member States. Through policy frameworks such as the African Youth Charter, African Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (APAYE) 2019-2023, flagship programmes on – Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Engagement and Health, and Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2016-2025.
Other Information about Ononuju Silver Okwaraogoma
At UNESCO-IICBA, he coordinated the establishment of the first UN Youth Advisory Board in Ethiopia. And supported the implementation of the Ethiopian Youth Speak on the SDGs in collaboration with AIESEC. Ononuju has continued to contribute to other critical multi-stakeholder projects in the field of education in Africa. Such as the finalisation of the Continental Teacher Mobility Protocol (CTMP) for the mobility of teachers in Africa, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) training for teacher-educators in Kenya, and implementation of the Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) through Teacher Development Project in 16 countries in the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions of Africa. Reaching over 500,000 teachers and young people directly and indirectly.
Ononuju has continued to bridge the gap and create opportunities for several youth-led organisations, CSOs and CBOs to access funding. And leverage platforms for partnerships and engagement with the African Union Commission and the UN. Ononuju is a great facilitator and moderator who can lead and convene issue-based discussions and dialogues on topical issues that affect young people.
Mary Kurek
President & CEO Frontrunners Development, Inc.
Global Business Developer
