A Nigerian faith-based organization, the InnerCity Mission for Children, has announced a monumental humanitarian achievement, distributing approximately 13.291 billion packs of meal to vulnerable children, families, and orphanages worldwide over a six-year period from 2020 to 2025.
A Decade of Defending the Vulnerable
The milestone was revealed during a briefing in Lagos to herald the organization's 20th anniversary. The figures show a dramatic year-on-year increase in the scale of their food programme, starting with 88 million meal packs in 2020 and growing exponentially to 7.2 billion in 2025, with distributions still ongoing.
Christine Okechukwu, representing the Chairman, framed the anniversary as a "victory lap rather than an end." She emphasized the ongoing crisis, stating, "Our 20th anniversary is only a victory lap but millions of children are still hungry, displaced, uneducated and unseen. And as long as this reality remains, our work must not only continue, it must multiply."
From Classrooms to Communities: A Holistic Approach
Omoh Alabi, Director of the InnerCity Mission, detailed the organization's expansive reach, which now spans 132 nations and territories across six continents. She explained that their approach has evolved from mere relief to sustainable development, entering classrooms, kitchens, hospitals, and refugee camps.
On education, Alabi highlighted their network of 19 free-tuition schools across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with each school supporting children from at least 11 neighbouring villages. The organization also operates schools in Malawi, Liberia, Uganda, and the Fiji Islands, with plans to establish more learning centres.
Their community-driven model relies on officers and volunteers who penetrate hard-to-reach areas—mountainous regions, riverine communities, and urban slums—to identify the most needy children. Beyond food and education, the Mission runs a women's economic empowerment programme serving over three million households and supports a global network of more than 3,000 orphanages.
The 20 Million Good Deeds Campaign: A Global Call to Action
The anniversary event also served as the launchpad for the ambitious "20 Million Good Deeds" campaign. Director Omoh Alabi described it as a central part of the celebrations and a call to humanity.
"The 20 million good deeds campaign is our call to humanity, a reminder that every act of kindness counts," Alabi said. "This campaign is not just about numbers; it’s about building a world culture of compassion. We are inviting individuals, schools, agencies, churches, and organisations to intentionally give hope through one good deed at a time."
She stressed that participation is simple and universal: "A good deed doesn’t have to be grand; it only has to be sincere. Every helping hand, every volunteer hour, every shared meal takes us a step closer to changing a child’s life." The campaign aims to inspire documented acts of kindness globally, aligning with the Mission's goal to create partners in compassion, not spectators.
Founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the InnerCity Mission for Children reaffirmed its commitment to broadening its humanitarian reach across Nigeria and beyond, focusing on nutrition, education, and empowerment for the most vulnerable.
