Christy Amalu: Well Woman Network UK Changes one life at a time
Nigerian Christy Amalu (JP), is a Registered Adult Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, and Midwife currently working as a Clinical Nurse Advisor in the United Kingdom (UK).
Amiable mother of beautiful daughters and handsome sons is an Author, Co-author, Motivational Speaker, entrepreneur, radio host, community leader, ordained pastor, Philanthropist, and also Global Pillar of Peace Ambassador, a title that earned her the late Queen Elizabeth’s recognition.
Happily married Queen Christy Amalu (JP), GPPA carefully, tackled a few questions from Creekvibes Oluwadamilare Daniels. Excerpts.
Can you tell us about your NGO, when it all started?
My NGO, A Well Woman Network UK, started in 2013. It is a non-profit organisation of women looking to maintain optimum health and other dimensions of well-being. We achieved this through the organisation of conferences and workshops both locally and internationally to educate, equip and empower women/individuals to maintain a healthy status.
We reach out to school children by providing school shoes, including bags in rural African settlements, these charity gestures protect the feet of these children against life-threatening injuries and infections.
We also extended our Charity work to different parts of Nigeria – Imo State, Abia State, Abuja, Lagos and internationally to India and Kenya.
Our mission is to change the lives of women one at a time.
With your profession, what prompted your interest in setting up the NGO?
My propelling factor is having worked with women in my chosen profession and ministry, I found out that women harbour a lot of life issues and most times they go about this with a smile on their faces covered up with makeup, hence my passion geared towards helping to alleviate some of these issues using my NGO as a platform. I believe that when you train a woman, you have succeded in training a nation.
What is the biggest risk you’ve taken to get here?
Summon the courage to register A Well Women Network UK, as at then there were militating circumstances that make it impossible.
What infuriates you?
When there is a need to be met and unable to do it due to not having resources to achieve it.
Where did you grow up, and what was it like?
I grew up in Nigeria, partly in Imo State, and then in Lagos State where I continued with my academics. My growing up was not too fantastic, and I will say not the worse off. I had a very humble beginning, I was brought up under a civil servant parent with other siblings.
Their focus was reading books, and studying to pass exams while attending social functions were out of our agendas, everything was regimented, wake up early in the morning, pray and kick start your day. On Saturdays, we cleaned and go to the farm, and we put into practice whatever we were taught in Agricultural lessons in school; On Sundays, you must be in church early and you must receive holy communion, if you do not, you must confess the sins that deprived you the communion, with confession in mind we became so cautious of offending anyone.
When we were sent to either market or anywhere, you are mandated not to stay outside after 6 pm, if we do, we will be dealt with.
When you rarely look straight into an adult’s eyes to respond to utterances, you will be termed a wayward child.
I was brought up when you spoil the rod and spare the child was in vogue. Initially, I felt bad about my upbringing but today I look back and thank God because that shaped me to be the woman I am today.
Can you tell us the funny pranks you played as a growing child, either in primary or secondary school?
I cannot remember any because I used to be very shy growing up
What are the challenges facing your NGO?
Finances! Finances!! Finances!! Yes, I said it 3 times here because it is the major issue, most of the things I do for the less privileged, I do so with my finances and sometimes with assistance from my fellow ladies in the group but there is a limit to what I can do because I have a lot of family commitments, but my NGO will go a long way if we have sponsors, then we would be able to reach many women at a time and also sustain the aims and objectives of the NGO.
How many languages do you understand?
Two. Igbo and English Languages
What do you think you have not achieved?
A rehabilitation centre where women can come and receive succour, and get retrained to carry on with normal lives.
Presently can you count how many awards you’ve got?
There are so many, from 2015 I have received over 30 awards from different organizations.
What are some of your most rewarding moments with your NGO?
During the time of execution of any project I embark on and the joy and feedback from the beneficiaries. It gives me joy to see that I added value to other people’s lives
Have you had any embarrassing moments; how did you handle it?
Yes, I was ridiculed by a friend. I did not find it funny as I never believed a human being could derive joy in treating another in that manner. I felt so bad, learnt my lessons, and moved on.
What would you say are the fundamental differences between your NGO and other NGOs and how did you know Hon. Amb Buzopat?
The difference between my NGO and others is A Well Woman Network UK is very unique, we are passionate about what we do, we are selfless and transparent, we cut across tribes and races, we are international, we lead, and others follow.
I met Amb Buzorpat through my Brother (Her Husband), and I clicked with her because we shared a lot of things in common. Firstly we were born in the same month, she is a highly intelligent, kind-hearted, and hardworking lady, she wears so many hats and they all fit, whenever you see her, she is full of smiles and very inspiring.
What is your best local meal, how has married life treated you, how did you combine all with raising children?
My best local meal is Breadfruit (UKWA), I love it and can eat it any day and any time.
Married life has been amazing, I thank God for blessing me with the family I have, they are the bedrock of all that I do. They support me in every way, and I am grateful for it. You do not choose your family. They are God’s gift to you as you are to them!
Give us one or two favourite quotes
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” By John Bunyan
” We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” By Winston Churchill.
