— Our Journey (2004 – Present)
Two decades of compassionate impact.
Putting smiles on faces across Nigeria for over 20 years.
What began on October 1, 2004 as the Beulah Project, supporting children at an orphanage in Sokoto, has matured into a premier national NGO delivering lifesaving relief, sustainable healthcare, education, and economic empowerment across 11 Nigerian states.
“Over 20 years of bringing smiles, dignity, and sustainable hope to Northern Nigeria.”
2004
Founding Year
11
Operational States
350+
Full-time Staff
20+ Yrs
Grassroots Service
— The road so far
Our journey, one milestone at a time.
From a passion project in Sokoto to a national organisation in 11 states. Archive photos are dated by the banners and captions in them.
Where the journey began
Foundation was laid here at the Goshen Development Centre.
Children's fun days from our early years in Sokoto 2004Sokoto StateInception as the Beulah Project
Established on October 1, 2004 as the Beulah Project, supporting children at the orphanage. In the words of Executive Director Tayo Fatinikun, “It was simply just a passion – a passion to touch lives, a passion to make children feel wanted, an attempt to restore their dignity.”
2004Children's fun days from our early years in Sokoto Sokoto StateInception as the Beulah Project
Established on October 1, 2004 as the Beulah Project, supporting children at the orphanage. In the words of Executive Director Tayo Fatinikun, “It was simply just a passion – a passion to touch lives, a passion to make children feel wanted, an attempt to restore their dignity.”
Youth football and table tennis from our early years 2006Sokoto StateRenamed Life Helpers Initiative
As it expanded its scope beyond immediate community needs, the Beulah Project was renamed Life Helpers Initiative and began its transition from a localised project into a structured organisation with broader development ambitions.
2006Youth football and table tennis from our early years Sokoto StateRenamed Life Helpers Initiative
As it expanded its scope beyond immediate community needs, the Beulah Project was renamed Life Helpers Initiative and began its transition from a localised project into a structured organisation with broader development ambitions.
Milestone
National CAC Registration
2007National CAC RegistrationIncorporation as Life Helpers Initiative
Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, in September 2007 (CAC/IT/25232), with a Board of Trustees providing governance and oversight.
2007National CAC RegistrationIncorporation as Life Helpers Initiative
Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, in September 2007 (CAC/IT/25232), with a Board of Trustees providing governance and oversight.
“Children Fiesta at 2007 World AIDS Day, Shehu Kangiwa Square, Sokoto” 2007Shehu Kangiwa Square, SokotoChildren Fiesta at World AIDS Day
Pupils from across Sokoto gathered at Shehu Kangiwa Square for LHI's Children Fiesta, marking World AIDS Day 2007.
2007“Children Fiesta at 2007 World AIDS Day, Shehu Kangiwa Square, Sokoto” Shehu Kangiwa Square, SokotoChildren Fiesta at World AIDS Day
Pupils from across Sokoto gathered at Shehu Kangiwa Square for LHI's Children Fiesta, marking World AIDS Day 2007.
Prize-giving at the Life Helpers Lifesport Scrabbles Competition 2008Comprehensive School, Runjin Sambo, SokotoLifesport Scrabbles Competition
On Friday 29 February 2008, LHI held its Lifesport Scrabbles Competition for secondary school students at Comprehensive School Runjin Sambo, presenting prizes to the winners.
2008Prize-giving at the Life Helpers Lifesport Scrabbles Competition Comprehensive School, Runjin Sambo, SokotoLifesport Scrabbles Competition
On Friday 29 February 2008, LHI held its Lifesport Scrabbles Competition for secondary school students at Comprehensive School Runjin Sambo, presenting prizes to the winners.
- 2009Goshen Development Centre, Sokoto
Staff Retreat
The Life Helpers team gathered for its 2009 staff retreat.
2009Goshen Development Centre, SokotoStaff Retreat
The Life Helpers team gathered for its 2009 staff retreat.
2011Sokoto StateNEI Children's Day Celebration
On Friday 27 May 2011, pupils celebrated Children's Day under the theme “Children, the Leaders of Tomorrow”, with drinking and football competitions, a march past, a quiz and debate, and a dancing competition.
2011Sokoto StateNEI Children's Day Celebration
On Friday 27 May 2011, pupils celebrated Children's Day under the theme “Children, the Leaders of Tomorrow”, with drinking and football competitions, a march past, a quiz and debate, and a dancing competition.
VDC sub-committee training in Bodinga LGA, and Wababe Model Primary School 2012Bodinga LGA, Sokoto StateStrengthening Schools and Communities with USAID LEAD
With RTI and USAID under the LEAD project, LHI ran two-day trainings on resource mobilisation for village development committee sub-committees on water and sanitation, health and education, and worked with school communities such as Wababe Model Primary School (28 February 2012).
2012VDC sub-committee training in Bodinga LGA, and Wababe Model Primary School Bodinga LGA, Sokoto StateStrengthening Schools and Communities with USAID LEAD
With RTI and USAID under the LEAD project, LHI ran two-day trainings on resource mobilisation for village development committee sub-committees on water and sanitation, health and education, and worked with school communities such as Wababe Model Primary School (28 February 2012).
Kebbi State 2013Kebbi StateExpansion to Kebbi State
Scaled programming beyond Sokoto into neighboring Kebbi State, rolling out community-based maternal and child healthcare, routine immunization campaigns, and rural Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.
2013Kebbi State Kebbi StateExpansion to Kebbi State
Scaled programming beyond Sokoto into neighboring Kebbi State, rolling out community-based maternal and child healthcare, routine immunization campaigns, and rural Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.
- 2014Goshen Development Centre, Sokoto
Celebrating 10 Years at Goshen
Ten years on from 2004, the team marked the milestone with a staff retreat at the Goshen Development Centre, where Life Helpers sang the Life Helpers anthem.
2014Goshen Development Centre, SokotoCelebrating 10 Years at Goshen
Ten years on from 2004, the team marked the milestone with a staff retreat at the Goshen Development Centre, where Life Helpers sang the Life Helpers anthem.
Zamfara SUBEB sensitisation on establishing Girls 4 Girls groups in six LGAs 2015Zamfara StateExpansion to Zamfara State
Launched large-scale interventions in Zamfara State focusing on girls' education, community nutrition stabilization for children under five, and gender-based violence prevention through Mothers' Associations and community leaders.
2015Zamfara SUBEB sensitisation on establishing Girls 4 Girls groups in six LGAs Zamfara StateExpansion to Zamfara State
Launched large-scale interventions in Zamfara State focusing on girls' education, community nutrition stabilization for children under five, and gender-based violence prevention through Mothers' Associations and community leaders.
Emergency response supplies 2017Borno, Yobe, & Adamawa StatesNorth-East Humanitarian Crisis Response
In response to the severe humanitarian emergency in North-East Nigeria, LHI deployed frontline teams to Maiduguri (Borno), Damaturu (Yobe), and Yola (Adamawa). Implemented emergency Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE), malnutrition stabilization, and emergency psychosocial support funded by the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and international partners.
2017Emergency response supplies Borno, Yobe, & Adamawa StatesNorth-East Humanitarian Crisis Response
In response to the severe humanitarian emergency in North-East Nigeria, LHI deployed frontline teams to Maiduguri (Borno), Damaturu (Yobe), and Yola (Adamawa). Implemented emergency Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE), malnutrition stabilization, and emergency psychosocial support funded by the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and international partners.
2017World AIDS Day 2017
LHI staff and volunteers joined World AIDS Day 2017 activities alongside Save the Children.
2017World AIDS Day 2017
LHI staff and volunteers joined World AIDS Day 2017 activities alongside Save the Children.
- 2018Goshen Development Centre, Tamaje bypass, Sokoto
Staff Retreat at Goshen
The growing Life Helpers team came together again at the Goshen Development Centre for the 2018 staff retreat.
2018Goshen Development Centre, Tamaje bypass, SokotoStaff Retreat at Goshen
The growing Life Helpers team came together again at the Goshen Development Centre for the 2018 staff retreat.
2019Sokoto StateVoices for the Oppressed: a Walk for Violence-Free Elections
On 14 February 2019, LHI joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto State for “Voices for the Oppressed”, a peaceful walk for violence-free 2019 general elections, starting from the Round Mai Ruwa INEC office.
2019Sokoto StateVoices for the Oppressed: a Walk for Violence-Free Elections
On 14 February 2019, LHI joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto State for “Voices for the Oppressed”, a peaceful walk for violence-free 2019 general elections, starting from the Round Mai Ruwa INEC office.
Until 2019
2019 – today
2019A New Look: Our New Logo
LHI retired its first logo, helping hands over a globe, and adopted today's orange and red Life Helpers wordmark, whose smiling “i” still carries our promise: putting a smile on a face.
2019Until 2019
2019 – today
A New Look: Our New Logo
LHI retired its first logo, helping hands over a globe, and adopted today's orange and red Life Helpers wordmark, whose smiling “i” still carries our promise: putting a smile on a face.
Bauchi State 2020Bauchi StateExpansion to Bauchi State
Commenced comprehensive adolescent reproductive health, girl-child empowerment, and community resilience programs in Bauchi, including the multi-year ASPIRED project funded by Global Affairs Canada in partnership with Plan International.
2020Bauchi State Bauchi StateExpansion to Bauchi State
Commenced comprehensive adolescent reproductive health, girl-child empowerment, and community resilience programs in Bauchi, including the multi-year ASPIRED project funded by Global Affairs Canada in partnership with Plan International.
FCT Abuja & Ebonyi State 2021FCT Abuja & Ebonyi StateAbuja Liaison Office & Ebonyi State Expansion
Established the Liaison Office in Gwarimpa, Abuja, for partner and federal coordination. Extended operations into Ebonyi State, where LHI supported health workers and community-based workers across 65 PHCs to reduce malnutrition in children under 5.
2021FCT Abuja & Ebonyi State FCT Abuja & Ebonyi StateAbuja Liaison Office & Ebonyi State Expansion
Established the Liaison Office in Gwarimpa, Abuja, for partner and federal coordination. Extended operations into Ebonyi State, where LHI supported health workers and community-based workers across 65 PHCs to reduce malnutrition in children under 5.
Plateau State 2022Plateau StateExpansion to Plateau State
Under the President's Malaria Initiative for States with Management Sciences for Health, LHI began mentoring frontline providers on malaria case management, data management and malaria in pregnancy across 327 primary healthcare centres.
2022Plateau State Plateau StateExpansion to Plateau State
Under the President's Malaria Initiative for States with Management Sciences for Health, LHI began mentoring frontline providers on malaria case management, data management and malaria in pregnancy across 327 primary healthcare centres.
Katsina State 2023Katsina StateKatsina Office
Opened the Katsina office, later home to the FCDO/WFP Resilience Building and Smallholder Farmers Support Project and the Gidan Arziki Farmer Service Centre in Batagarawa.
2023Katsina State Katsina StateKatsina Office
Opened the Katsina office, later home to the FCDO/WFP Resilience Building and Smallholder Farmers Support Project and the Gidan Arziki Farmer Service Centre in Batagarawa.
202316 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
Women and community members rallied with LHI during the 2023 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
202316 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
Women and community members rallied with LHI during the 2023 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Our 20th anniversary, and the IHP Local Partners Summit 202420 Years of Putting a Smile on a Face
LHI celebrated 20 years of service since 1 October 2004, and joined partners at the USAID Integrated Health Program Local Partners Summit.
2024Our 20th anniversary, and the IHP Local Partners Summit 20 Years of Putting a Smile on a Face
LHI celebrated 20 years of service since 1 October 2004, and joined partners at the USAID Integrated Health Program Local Partners Summit.
Milestone
11 Office States
2021–202511 Office StatesOver ₦8 Billion in Grants
Secured grant portfolios of over ₦8 billion, migrated to an ERP financial system, adopted Kobo Collect for digital data, strengthened MERL, invested in owned offices in Sokoto, Kebbi and Yobe, and created a dedicated Communications Unit.
2021–202511 Office StatesOver ₦8 Billion in Grants
Secured grant portfolios of over ₦8 billion, migrated to an ERP financial system, adopted Kobo Collect for digital data, strengthened MERL, invested in owned offices in Sokoto, Kebbi and Yobe, and created a dedicated Communications Unit.
Drone view of the Noma Tushen Arziki Farmer Service Centre 2025Wamakko LGA, SokotoNoma Tushen Arziki Farmer Service Centre
Commissioned the Noma Tushen Arziki (“Farming Wealth”) Hub on 27 November 2025 with WFP and FCDO: milling, cold storage, a fish farm, hire services and a training space run by a community Facility Management Committee.
2025Drone view of the Noma Tushen Arziki Farmer Service Centre Wamakko LGA, SokotoNoma Tushen Arziki Farmer Service Centre
Commissioned the Noma Tushen Arziki (“Farming Wealth”) Hub on 27 November 2025 with WFP and FCDO: milling, cold storage, a fish farm, hire services and a training space run by a community Facility Management Committee.
Drone view of the Gidan Arziki commissioning 2026Batagarawa, KatsinaGidan Arziki Farmers Service Hub
Commissioned in April 2026 under the FCDO/WFP resilience project: a solar-powered farmers service hub in Batagarawa, Katsina State.
2026Drone view of the Gidan Arziki commissioning Batagarawa, KatsinaGidan Arziki Farmers Service Hub
Commissioned in April 2026 under the FCDO/WFP resilience project: a solar-powered farmers service hub in Batagarawa, Katsina State.
2026Goshen Development Centre, SokotoStrategic Plan 2026–2030
Adopted LHI's third strategic plan, “A plan towards Consolidation of Programme Impact and Organisational Sustainability”. Today LHI has delivered over 45 projects, directly reaching over 1.5 million people in more than 400,000 households, with 350+ staff and 700+ community volunteers.
2026Goshen Development Centre, SokotoStrategic Plan 2026–2030
Adopted LHI's third strategic plan, “A plan towards Consolidation of Programme Impact and Organisational Sustainability”. Today LHI has delivered over 45 projects, directly reaching over 1.5 million people in more than 400,000 households, with 350+ staff and 700+ community volunteers.
More lives to touch, more smiles to put on faces.
“Putting a smile on a face”
Touching lives, transforming households, and impacting communities.