Public school is not free in Nigeria. Lee University alum Emmanuel Okenye experienced this firsthand while growing up in the town of Ikorodu, and he often had to skip meals in order to pay for his education. Years later, in an effort to offer better education and health care to children in Nigeria, Okenye started the nonprofit Child Scholars shortly after he graduated from Lee.

Child Scholars, according to its mission statement, exists to “tap into the vast indigenous talent pools in the developing world to solve local problems.” The 501-c3 organization accomplishes this through the Veritas Academy, a school Okenye established using his own savings.

Okenye grew up knowing he wanted to become a doctor. His family valued health and education, uncommon priorities in an area of the world where the majority of people earn less than $45 a week.

Okenye attended Lee University through the help of his local church in Nigeria and graduated in December 2011 with a degree in chemistry.

“Lee was my primary training ground,” said Okenye. “When I first moved here from Nigeria, this is where I developed my morals, my character, and received my nurturing. I don’t think I would have been able to do what I’m doing without the foundation I received at Lee.”

Soon after graduating from Lee, Okenye spent a year working in Merck labs as a chemist, saving his earnings to build the Veritas Academy. He began his medical education at Lincoln Memorial University’s DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in July 2013, the same month he founded the Veritas Academy.

Currently Okenye is in his third year of medical school and will soon decide whether he will pursue medicine or surgery. He was recently nominated for the National Student Doctor of the Year award, one of only 30 other national nominees.

Okenye plans on finishing his time in medical school, which means running the nonprofit from thousands of miles away. It was a challenge at first, he said, but now they have a steady pace going.

“Initially it was very difficult to run both Child Scholars and be in medical school, but my mom Rosalee has really helped to coordinate the affairs on the ground, and my wife Kaylee has helped with all the paperwork and documentation,” said Okenye.

Since its inception, Child Scholars has awarded 50 scholarships to students in financial need. The majority of these students maintain A and B averages. Veritas Academy currently consists of 43 students on scholarship, as well as other students who come to school and pay their own tuition, and a group of teachers led by Okenye’s mother. He calls daily to check in.

“I am so excited to not just talk about needs, but meet them,” said Okenye. “I’m hearing the kids say they want to be teachers, doctors… they are beginning to see the possibilities of what their future could be.”

Okenye’s next fundraising venture will be a campaign to fund the building of a permanent home for Veritas Academy. He hopes to raise between $80,000 and $100,000. Additionally, he will be leading a team in June 2016 to assist with medical screenings and wellness checks for children in the community.

“God has blessed me with supportive family and friends, and I live in a great country. But the worst thing I could do would be to forget where I came from,” said Okenye. “I want to sow a seed and make a difference. The love of God motivates me to continue.”

Visit Child Scholars for more information or to make a donation

By Rachel Westcott

(Originally published here)