Florence Youth Development Program

Our Story

— Yvonne Kafor, President FYDP

The Foundation is organized as a Texas nonprofit corporation and has been granted an exemption from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code ("Code") §501(c)(3). The Foundation is classified as "other than a private foundation" by the IRS (a "public charity").

Florence Youth Development Program was incorporated in 2008 in memory of my beautiful mother, Florence Ngozi Ukandu. Florence was a single mother who worked tirelessly to raise three children in Nigeria while empowering and supporting other children. In May 1998, she died in a tragic car accident leaving behind her three young children. Mother did not have a retirement account or life insurance policies to assist with our upkeep, so life became very lonely and difficult all of a sudden. Today, I am thankful for the opportunities I had that propelled me to achieving my goals. I realize that many children in Africa may never be able to reach their potential for lack of support, financial support, and emotional support, due to the loss of a parent or abandonment. Our program focuses on providing support for orphans, abandoned, and vulnerable youths.

Most orphaned or vulnerable African youth live in fear and pain. They live in fear of not fulfilling a dream. The fear of failing, the pain of dealing with life challenges alone, and the task of being “your” own cheerleader are some challenges our scholars face. Florence Youth Development Program is committed to creating a structure, in every country in Africa, to provide the necessary support for vulnerable youths who are willing to go through our selection process and program. At Florence Youth Development Program, we believe we can bring about change by creating a RIPPLE. We educate, empower, inspire, and support our scholars who are willing to act as ambassadors in their community.

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