By Rita Okoye
Faith Morey is a Nigerian-American model, reality TV star, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and lifestyle influencer known for her elegance, intelligence, and business acumen.
A prominent figure in the fashion and entertainment industry, she has successfully elevated her influence beyond reality TV to establishing herself as a dynamic businesswoman and advocate for impactful causes.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, she talks about her philanthropic journey, vision for the Nigerian child, plans for the educational sectors and more.
What inspired you to start this charity organization in the first place?
Growing up in Port Harcourt, I was intimately familiar with the struggles that come with limited access to quality education and structured guidance. I witnessed firsthand how intelligent, spirited children in low-income communities were often left behind not because they lacked potential, but because society never invested in their possibilities. That truth never left me. My grandmother, a woman of deep integrity and enduring wisdom, would always say: “A good name will take you further than money ever will.” Her words, her resilience, and her faith shaped me. She taught me that legacy is not about what you accumulate, but about what you leave behind in people in their character, in their hope, and their future. As life took me around the world, my perspective grew, but my heart never left those classrooms in Nigeria. Founding the Okachi Charity Foundation (OCF) was my response to a lifelong calling to serve children who remind me of myself. Children simply need someone to believe in them, to invest in them, and to give them a chance to rise. OCF was built to close the gap between potential and opportunity. Our mission is to transform public primary education across Nigeria, especially in under-resourced communities, by fostering early access to literacy, communication skills, and social development. We work directly in public schools, from Primary 1 through 6, supporting struggling learners and equipping teachers with the tools they need to uplift every child in their care.
Our vision is bold yet clear to create a future where every Nigerian child, regardless of their background, receives a strong educational foundation that empowers them to thrive intellectually, socially, and emotionally. We believe that education is not a privilege it is a right, a lifeline, and a tool of liberation. This is not charity for charity’s sake. This is about nation-building from the classroom up. Our goal is to raise a generation of thoughtful, confident, emotionally intelligent, and articulate children who can grow into responsible adults, leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. Through every classroom we reach and every life we touch, we are planting the seeds of a brighter, more equitable future.
Looking back, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the first year, and how did you overcome them?
The first year of building the Okachi Charity Foundation was filled with both purpose and pressure. I knew the vision was clear to invest in public education at the grassroots level, but translating passion into a sustainable, structured impact within Nigeria’s complex system came with real challenges. Our major challenge, and up until now, is resources. Funding comes directly from my commitment. But even more than money, we needed the right people or individuals who shared our values and were truly passionate about the long-term transformation of Nigeria’s children. Finding those kinds of people who are humble, dedicated, and service-minded was not and still is not easy. But I refused to compromise on character. I believe that building with the right foundation is more important than building fast. One of the biggest hurdles was gaining access and trust; these institutions are often sceptical of outside interventions. It wasn’t enough to walk in with good intentions. We had to prove ourselves through consistency, humility, and deep listening. We started small, showing up not as saviours, but as partners. We asked questions, engaged teachers and headmasters, and worked within the structures that already existed. Respecting the system earned us the opportunity to influence it.
There were moments of doubt. Moments when the obstacles felt overwhelming. But I reminded myself of the little girls and boys I once walked past on dusty school grounds; smart, full of potential, and so deserving of a chance. I thought of my son, who can sit at any table and speak with confidence because he was given the gift of exposure and guidance. And I held onto my grandmother’s voice reminding me that integrity and perseverance would take us further than we imagined.
What kept us going was the impact. Seeing the joy in a child learning to read, hearing a shy student speak up in class for the first time, and watching schools take pride in their progress was our fuel. And slowly, word spread. The first year taught me that purpose without patience is powerless. Building something meaningful will test every part of you. But it also taught me this, when your work is rooted in love, service, and legacy, you will always find a way through.
What has been the most fulfilling moment for you since launching the organization?
There have been many beautiful moments on this journey some quiet, some public. Personally, the most fulfilling part has been witnessing a transformation in real time. Walking into schools that once had broken desks or no desks at all with kids learning on the floor and silence, now filled with the sound of children reading aloud and asking questions. Seeing children receive their first school bags, not just as an accessory, but as a symbol that they matter. But beyond the children, it’s also been watching the ripple effect. Parents are engaging more. Teachers are retraining. Communities are asking questions. We’re not just planting seeds we’re watching entire ecosystems shift.
How did you gather the right team or support system to bring your vision to life?
It began with a deep sense of intentionality. From the outset, I knew that building the Okachi Charity Foundation wouldn’t be possible without the right people, those whose hearts beat for service, not status. This work isn’t about chasing titles, applause, or comfort. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and being present for others when it’s not convenient, when no one is watching and when your only reward is the quiet fulfilment of knowing a child has hope because of you.
But the truth is, the journey hasn’t been easy. There have been months when I could barely sleep. The weight of responsibility was so heavy that even my close friends and family would say, “Giving shouldn’t be this difficult.” And they were right. But what I’ve come to understand is this and that is service is a sacred calling. And not everyone is built for it. I always say you must be the kind of person who offers kindness and compassion the way you hope to receive it. That is the spirit of OCF. Many of our teachers came in without formal experience, but we saw something deeper. Passion, willingness, heart. So yes, building the right team took time. But I’ve learned to trust my instincts, to prioritize heart over hype. At Okachi Charity Foundation, we are not building an organization for applause. We are building a legacy of love, education, and dignity for every child, and for every community we touch.
What impact have you been able to make so far?
The impact isn’t just measured in numbers. It’s measured in transformation. It’s in the quiet confidence of a child who once couldn’t read now volunteering to lead the morning assembly. It’s in the smile of a young girl who no longer skips school because she has a proper school bag, books with her name on them, and a classroom where she feels seen. It’s in the mother who no longer has to choose between buying food or exercise books.
So far, we’ve reached over 6,000 children across Rivers, Abuja, Lagos and Kano with classroom interventions, teacher training, literacy and digital skill programs, sponsorship of inter-house sports, yearly graduation, Jamb forms, exam fees, teaching materials, menstrual programmes, free learning materials, donated playground, clean water, uniforms, and school bags. We’ve adopted and equipped multiple public schools, restored classrooms, provided school desks, hired community-based teachers, and created learning spaces that nurture both intellect and self-worth. But for me, success goes beyond the statistics. Success is watching children in low-income communities learning to dream again just as I once did growing up in Port Harcourt. We measure success by the joy in the classroom, the consistency of our programmes, and the deep trust we’ve earned within the communities we serve. We don’t just show up for photo ops, we stay, we build, we return. We listen. We evolve. And that is how we know we’re making a difference. Every backpack we hand out, every school bell that rings in a cleaner, safer classroom, and every teacher who steps up with a renewed purpose has an impact. That’s legacy. That’s the true measure of success at OCF.
How did you navigate funding, sponsorships, or partnerships in your first year?
Truthfully, it has been a deeply personal and often difficult journey. Every project the Okachi Charity Foundation undertakes has come at a cost, and for the most part, that cost has been shouldered through my earnings. Without that financial commitment, many of our programmes simply would not exist. That’s the truth behind the beautiful photos and success stories as it’s been driven by sacrifice, not surplus. And it hasn’t been easy. It’s one thing to start something; it’s another to sustain it with consistency and long-term commitment especially when children are involved. These children rely on us, not just for books or all the programmes we run, but for stability, encouragement, and the promise that someone will show up for them tomorrow just as they did today. That level of consistency takes more than good intentions. It requires dependable funding, passionate people, and unwavering belief. Today, we are actively seeking strategic partnerships, particularly from the private sector, corporate sponsors, philanthropic individuals, and government agencies. We’re also open to collaborative ventures with other NGOs who share our values. The work is too important and too vast to be carried by one person or one source alone. Ultimately, we measure every gift, large or small, against one question: does it help us build a future where no child is left behind because of where they were born? If the answer is yes, then that partnership is sacred. We are not just seeking funding. We are seeking co-builders of a legacy.
What lessons have you learned as a female founder leading a purpose-driven organization?
Leading a purpose-driven organization as a woman, especially one rooted in compassion, education, and long-term community building, has been a humbling classroom of its own. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that empathy is not a weakness, it’s a superpower. As women, we are often told to toughen up, to separate emotion from leadership. But I’ve found that it is precisely my emotional depth, my ability to feel and see people for who they are, that has shaped OCF into what it is today. The children we serve, the mothers who send thank you messages and the teachers who give their all don’t need a distant executive. They need someone who leads from the heart with strength and clarity. And I’ve learned to lean into that.
Another lesson? You must protect the vision even from people who mean well, but don’t truly understand it. As a woman, you may find yourself constantly explaining, justifying, and negotiating your seat at the table. But I’ve learned that your purpose doesn’t require validation to be real. The impact speaks for itself. So yes, I lead as a woman. But more importantly, I lead as someone who was once that little girl needing hope. And that memory keeps me anchored. It reminds me why I started, and why I must keep going no matter how heavy the crown feels.