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By admin | June 24, 2008
The Philo-Gratia Foundation as earlier pointed out, began with
a dream of a woman called Philomena Grace. The foundation is named after
her and the names (Philomena and Grace) are synonymous with the Latin
word Philo-Gratia which is translated to mean “Love and Grace”. Mrs.
Philomena Grace actually lived up to the challenges and expectations of
what her name stood for. The philosophy of the Philo-Gratia Foundation
is capitulated in the following virtues: love, compassion and care for
the weak and downtrodden in the society.
Grace Philomena was the first woman to be educated in her environment.
She was trained by the Irish Missionary Sisters of Mercy to Nigeria in
an era when women were seen as second class citizens and consequently
denied any formal educational opportunities. Amidst the discrimination
of her time, Philomena Grace was determined to break the era of
intimidation of women and the marginalized by making a difference
through her educational pursuit. She won the admiration of the reverend
sisters who then trained her to a masters’ level at the university. With
her education, she was able to fight and break the long existing culture
of gender discrimination, whereby woman were not allowed to go to
school. They were rather made to stay at home as homemakers. Her vision
was to make other women in her community self-reliant and less
vulnerable to gender abuse or discrimination. She was also determined to
help the disadvantaged in the society realize their gift and be able to
apply it towards self-actualization. To this effect, she opened up a
scholarship trust fund for poor children irrespective of tribe or family
background. In the course of time, she found Father Boniface and Father
Morris Kelly with like minds as people who through their clerical office
can effect positive change in the life of the people in the area. Mr.
Peter Igbolo and Rev. Sr. Monica, were also brought into the system.
Together, Philo–Gratia Foundation was brought to limelight as a group
charged with a special mission of uplifting human dignity by encouraging
individual talents at the service of humanity and the glory of God.
Through the help of Fr. Kelly and Fr. Boniface, the first school for
rural children was built, known as “Infant Children’s School”. Later
came another extension known as “Madonna Academy”. Today, the seed that
was conceived by Mrs. Grace Philomena and hatched as infant school for
rural children, is now taking a wider spectrum that is going to include
nursery/primary/secondary school and with a new name Philo-Gratia
Academy. This new cause is being promoted by Fr. Boniface and with the
help of friends of Philo-Gratia Foundation. The reason why the schools
will be taking a new name is for us to commemorate the founder
(Philomena Grace) who left this world on the 4th of April, 2004.
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