On December 30 to 31, 2025, the Mary Ikoku Foundation successfully hosted its 2025 Free Nkwo Market Day in Arochukwu, Abia state, reaching over 2,000 vulnerable families with food and household essentials — completely free.
Beneficiaries shopped with dignity using the Foundation’s unique “Love Currency”, a symbolic voucher system designed to remove stigma and restore choice.
Items distributed included garri, yam, rice, beans, meat, condiments, clothing, and other essentials, creating a lively, joyful community marketplace.
Beyond food relief, the initiative focused strongly on empowerment. Participants received skills training in confectionery and soap making, alongside financial literacy and digital onboarding sessions, equipping them with practical tools for income generation.
Women from the Foundation’s Aka Ajaja Project played a major role in food production and logistics, supplying farm-grown produce and reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to local empowerment and sustainability.
Due to the overwhelming turnout, the market was extended to a second day, ensuring more families could benefit.
The event was peaceful, well-coordinated, and filled with music, learning, testimonies, and shared hope.
Speaking at the event, Founder of the Foundation, Hon. Mary Ikoku, reaffirmed that the initiative is about dignity, empowerment, and restoring hope, while commending key supporters for standing with the Foundation.
She also called on more organisations and public-spirited individuals to support and scale this model of love-driven community intervention.
“Last year, I left with food and joy. This year, I came back and received even more. May God bless the Mary Ikoku Foundation,” a beneficiary, Mama Christy, said.
“They taught us how to bake and make soap. I didn’t just receive — I learned. This experience has changed my outlook,” another beneficiary, Chidinma, said.
