Perpetual Education Fund Successes

Stories from Benin City in Nigeria & Freetown in Sierra Leone

Augustine Okah of the Asaba Nigeria Stake took the PEF loan to study electrical engineering at Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Uwana in Afikpo area of southeast Nigeria and obtained a national diploma . He then obtained a higher national diploma from Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku through personal funding. He worked and supported his education through his second degree. He was recently hired as a handyman for the Asaba Stake.

Imudia, Iyamu, Jr. took the PEF loan to study economics and statistics at the University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria, and almost immediately after graduation and completion of his mandatory National Youth Service Corps program, he paid off his loan. He is currently employed and works with the Edo State Ministry of Budget and Planning.

Aghakhu Iyamu participated in the returned missionary orientation program soon after returning from his mission where he was encouraged to participate in self-reliance group meetings in his stake. He enrolled in and participated in the Education for Better Work group meeting where he learned to choose the skills that will enhance his self-reliance. He never did obtain a PEF loan but was mentored to learn air conditioning and refrigeration skills, which led to his being hired as a handyman assigned to work in New Benin Stake.

Kenneth Omusi once served as a volunteer missionary in the Benin City Self-Reliance Services and also participated in the Starting and Growing My Business group meeting. He learned several life-changing lessons as a result of his service in the Benin City SRS as well as attendance in the group meeting. He improved his skills in electricals and wiring and started improving his life as a result. He has been hired as a handyman in the Benin City Nigeria Oregbeni Stake where he also serves as a bishop and a member of the stake self-reliance committee as the bishops’ welfare chair.

Faith Nwaulu came back from her mission looking forward to a good life. She knew what she wanted, to be trained as a midwife. The only constraint that she had to achieve her dreams was funds required to take the training. When she participated in the returned missionary orientation program, she learned about the PEF loan and knew that was the resource to help her achieve her dreams. She applied for and received the loan to attend St. Philomena Hospital to be trained as a midwife. She has now graduated and is employed in the same hospital where she received her training. She is also happily married.

Massa Moseray (in white blouse) is a single parent and the breadwinner for seven dependents all living in Kissy Stake. Massa returned from her full-time mission just at the end of the Sierra Leone civil war. Due to this circumstance, there were very limited opportunities for her development. Massa was recommended by her stake leadership to join the Start My Business pilot group. She was able to raise SLL 180,000 during the group’s pilot activity which was used as seed money for her business.