What is Sisters of the Poor?
The Sisters of the Poor Foundation is a global organization that originated in Jefferson City, Missouri as supporters there personally grew in friendship with Sister Ursula through her local family. Sisters of the Poor of Abakaliki is a group of religious sisters and postulants located in Abakaliki, Nigeria who beg for food, feed the hungry, and find ways to provide medical care for those who have no access to medical care.
This prompted Sister’s friends to create the Sisters of the Poor Foundation in August of 2018. In disasters and hardships, Sister Ursula feeds and facilitates medical care for people in Africa.
Sisters of the Poor of Abakaliki and the Sisters of the Poor Foundation are unrelated to Little Sisters of the Poor. The Sisters of the Poor Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity whose sole purpose is to raise funds to support the work of Sr. Ursula Anunobi and the Sisters of the Poor of Abakaliki. The Sisters of the Poor operates this sistersofthepoor.org website.
How can I help?
There are many ways to support Sisters of the Poor, including making a donation, praying for the Sisters and those they serve, telling others of their work, donating goods or services for fundraising efforts, or fundraising on their behalf.
Monetary donations are the most effective way to provide assistance. Sisters of the Poor uses financial donations to allow the maximum impact from donated resources to be used on purchasing needed items locally, which gives the local economy in Nigeria a boost, cuts down on transportation costs and shipping costs and is the quickest way to bring aid to those who need it most.
How much of my gift goes directly to help people in need?
Sisters of the Poor raises charitable donations and strives to ensure that the maximum amount of each donation goes directly to helping those in need. As a small organization with many volunteers, the organization maintains a low overhead and minimal administrative costs, so a high percentage of each gift goes toward the mission and helps people in need directly. Currently, our only overhead expense is the maintenance of this website.
Who works for the Sisters of the Poor Foundation?
Our Board of Directors and volunteers are located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Their work and personal commitments provide Sister Ursula with many of the resources she needs to care for people in need in Nigeria.
This work is not possible without volunteers, donors and people who are called to take care for the poor and needy, spreading the word about the Sisters of the Poor.
Who is Reverend Sister Ursula Anunobi?
Reverend Sister Ursula Anunobi was born in Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State. She attended her primary school at St. Mary’s Catholic School Lokoja, and thereafter proceeded to Queen of the Rosary College Nsukka, where she completed her WAEC.
Passionate about education, she proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where in 1990 she completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Education) in political science. She also trained as a teacher and worked in education for a short time. She is an accomplished daughter of Africa, political scientist, educationist and an accomplished Reverend.
Sister abandoned her training as a teacher to answer a spiritual calling to help the needy, the beggars, the widows, the fatherless, the downtrodden. Her faith and spiritual calling has lead her life.
Is Sisters of the Poor a religious organization?
The Sisters of the Poor Foundation was founded by people who were motivated by their religious faith and their belief that we should respond to Jesus’ call to his followers to take care of the poor. Our sole purpose is to support Sr. Ursula Anunobi and the Sisters of the Poor of Abakaliki.
Sisters of the Poor of Abakaliki provides assistance to anyone in need regardless of their beliefs. Care is extended to anyone in need, religious or not religious.
Does Sisters of the Poor accept material gifts, such as food, blankets, toiletries, and other non-monetary items?
The Sisters of the Poor Foundation is unable to accept most material donations at this time. We are continually looking into options to accept more material gifts in the future.
The cost of shipping materials from the U.S. to Nigeria is more expensive than the value of what is being shipped. Because of this, it’s better to consider offering financial donations and gifts instead of item gifts. Funds can be used in Nigeria to acquire goods, usually at a lower cost, and avoid the added cost of transportation.
Will I receive a tax receipt for a donation? What about fundraising supporters?
Yes, Sisters of the Poor, which is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will provide tax receipts for all cash, check and credit card donations made as long as the donor’s name and address are provided.
