GEANCO

The nonprofit organization GEANCO was born from the vision of one man-Dr. Godwin Onyema. At a very young age, this young Nigerian discovered his love for medicine. Inspired by a British missionary doctor who took him under her wing and taught him the skills of this trade, he pledged that one day he'd carry on her mission to help the suffering people of Nigeria. Today, GEANCO (which is a compilation of the initials of the Onyema family) exists with the sole purpose of saving and transforming lives in Dr. Godwin's homeland-Nigeria.

GEANCO is in the process of preparing for its fourth medical mission. Since 2005, these missions have been responsible for hundreds of anemia screenings, countless broken bone repairs and 75 hip and knee replacements. GEANCO also trains local doctors and nurses, it has helped upgrade two Nigerian hospitals and it plans to establish Nigeria's first world-class hospital within the next three years. Additionally, GEANCO donates school supplies, books and clothing to benefit hundreds of Nigerian students at schools throughout the southeast region of the country.

GEANCO was the recipient of a one by oner from promotional products retailer 4imprintr. It used this grant to purchase a retractable banner imprinted with the newly upgraded GEANCO logo. "We fundraise at events and galas all over the United States. This banner is the first thing people see and it offers a quick idea of what we're all about," said GEANCO Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Afam Onyema. "This banner . this gift-it symbolizes the good work of people helping people a half a world away." Afam, the second son of Dr. Onyema and a graduate of Harvard University and Stanford Law School, joined the foundation full-time in 2007 to help his father achieve his lifelong dream. In partnership with many others around the country, the Onyema family is bringing health and hope to a region of the world in desperate need of both.