Uplift Help International
Dr. MARCEL A. AJAH, MD FACGOG - CO-FOUNDER OF UPLIFT HELP INTERNATIONAL, INC
Dr. Marcel A. Ajah, a physician, specifically an OB/GYN in New York, from a town in Ebonyi State of Nigeria called ISHIAGU, a man who left Nigeria to pursue his education in the United States never forgot his roots, decided to share in our dream of extending quality healthcare to the less privileged in this Sub-Saharan town of Nigeria. He was a philanthropist, endowed with compassion. This spirit was behind the founding of Uplift Help International, Inc, an organization created to empower people regardless of creed, race or status while improving their health, education, and leadership. Dr. Marcel Ajah worked tirelessly with Sr. Dolores Castellano CIJ to secure medications from pharmaceutical companies used in treating patients during the annual medical mission.
The annual medical mission was usually a two-weeks program whereby Dr. Marcel would leave his medical practice in New York and travel to Ishiagu to devote time to the care and education of the patients who cherished and would benefit from the program. He worked closely with the structural architects to design the blueprint for the INFANT JESUS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, ISHIAGU in collaboration with Sr. Dolores Castellano CIJ.
Over the years, Uplift Help International, Inc would conduct monthly board meetings at Dr. Marcel Ajah’s residence until such a time when we decided to use St. Joseph’s Villa, the convent where Sr. Dolores Castellano CIJ resides. Dr. Marcel’s medical office was the physical address for the organization as well, until recently, when it was moved to its current location.
As the president of Uplift Help International, Inc from the time it was founded, Dr. Marcel gave his time, knowledge, talent, and influence that set the organization on the path of fulfilling its mission. Many of the pictures from the annual medical mission to Nigeria show the involvement of many local physicians he encouraged to participate in the program.
During one of our mission trips, Dr. Marcel was delayed, at one of the Nigerian airports, due to the quantity of medication he brought with him on the trip. After this experience, he decided to open and register Uplift Help International, Ltd in Nigeria as a close organization in association with Uplift Help International, Inc. This was a helpful process in alleviating the Nigerian tendency towards soliciting money in order to allow the medications, brought with our volunteers on the trip, to pass through.
Dr. Marcel A. Ajah’s legacy as the co-founder and first president of Uplift Help International, Inc will continue to be of influence towards the running of the organization and the desire to fulfill its mission.