On October 16, 2011, the devastating news of his the passing of his brother, Samuel Omogo popularly known as SOUL, hit him like a scorching gust of wind. Brother Samuel had played a pivotal role in his journey to the priesthood, and the loss left Fr. Peter in deep grief. His sorrow was so profound that he wept uncontrollably, and no consolation seemed to alleviate his pain. Concerned about their dear friend and pastor’s well-being, Peter’s friends in the United States began to contemplate how to honour Brother Samuel’s memory and preserve his legacy of kindness, love, and generosity. It was during this time that Marge called Fr. Peter to let him know that they were preparing to give him a birthday gift for drilling of water well and they would like to drill it in memory of Samuel-his late brother. When Fr. Peter came back and showed the video of those who celebrated the first water well, they (Marge Wilson and Karie James) were moved to start a foundation. Later on, Bob and Chris Rosenberg joined the team to form the board.
The idea of establishing a foundation in Brother Samuel’s name is to ensure that his benevolent deeds and the love he shared would never fade into oblivion. As Stephen Covey once said, “We are here to live, to learn, to love, and to leave a legacy.” Fr. Peter’s life mantra echoed this sentiment: “Life without a legacy is a fruitless life.” The friends started the foundation after noticing the pictures and videos of our people praying and thanking God for water. Fr. Peter made clean water provision a central initiative of the foundation. He vividly remembered his childhood struggles with water scarcity, where he had to trek for miles to OgwuMukpuma, NgeleAgwo, IyiOgwe, OgbaIkwe, Okpuru Ugo, Oshisha, Barabara, ItumahUkwuagba, Oshishaetc in search of clean water. This problem had claimed many lives, particularly among women and children, due to waterborne diseases like guinea worm and cholera. These ailments had been rampant in Ebonyi State from the early 1970s to the early 2000s. Witnessing the prolonged suffering of his people, he resolved to prioritize providing clean water as a crucial mission of the foundation. – Hence Samuel OmogoFoundation (SOF) – Providing quality water, Giving Succor and Hope to the Hopeless
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Samuel Omogo Foundation (SOF) Projects –
Giving Succor and Hope to the Hopeless.
Mother Therea said “there are things I can do and you cannot do them and there are things that you can do and I cannot do them but together we make great things”. Inspired by these words, Samuel Omogo Foundation embarked on a journey to improve the lives of people in South East Nigeria especially Ebonyi People.
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In 2013, SOF began it mission by providing quality accessible water to the people. They drilled a total of thirty- one (31) boreholes in different villages in the State, with ninety percent (90%) of the first project concentrated in Ngbo reflecting the belief that charity begins at home. The Foundation’s efforts expanded in 2014, as they increased the number of boreholes drilled to thirty-four (34), benefitting various villages and communities in Ebonyi State. In 2015, the foundation drilled eight(8) boreholes.
As words spread about the foundation’s provision of free, quality water, the demand for boreholes increased significantly. However, with divine providence and the support of friends and parishioners, SOF pulled through and drilled thirty (30) boreholes in 2016. Notably, a collaboration with the Global Rotary Foundation, led by SOF CEO Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter OkwoezeOmogo, resulted in drilling an additional thirty-two (32) boreholes
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across different communities in Ohaukwu, Izzi, Ezza South and Ezza North, Onicha, Isu, Ikwo, Abakaliki, Ohaozara, etc, bring the total toSixty-five (62)
The goodness and mercies of God continued in the life of Fr. Peter as he continued to carry the files of hundreds of Ebonyians to America to scout for resources to meet the numerous overwhelming needs of his people. Friends and parishioners saw the good work of SOF in Nigeria and denoted more for the project. This made the foundation in 2017 to drill a total of fifty-two (52) and sixty-three (63) in 2018 boreholes respectively in different communities in Ohaukwu, Afikpo, Ohaozara, Abakaliki, Izzi, Ikwo, Onicha, Ezza South, Ezza North etc.
In 2019 the foundation continued its good work like Christ went about doing good and drilled a total of seventy-six (76) boreholes in different parts of the state including tertiary institutions both federal and State-owned institutions.
2020 was one the most challenging years in the history of the world due to the outbreak of COVID-19 but the foundation usually still puts smiles on the faces of Ebonyians by drilling sixty-nine (69) boreholes in different parts of the states. 2021 was a millstone year as the foundation drilled Ninety -six (96) boreholes.
Samuel Omogo Foundation SOF lives of many people in different communities of Ebonyi State and outside the State. In 2022 the foundation drilled 43 boreholes therefore from 2013 to 2022 SOF have drilled five hundred and thirty (530)boreholes.
