About Us

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

VISION STATEMENT

We envision communities where women and children are free, empowered, and restored — where beauty rises from ashes, strength emerges from brokenness, and hope is secured for generations. Our vision is to be a shelter in times of storm, a voice for justice in the face of oppression, and a catalyst for economic empowerment that transforms cycles of despair into legacies of dignity, resilience, and prosperity.

MISSION STATEMENT

To champion gender equality and dismantle the root causes of poverty and homelessness through bold, inclusive action and collaborative partnerships. We stand with women and children at the margins, providing legal aid, opening the doors of justice, and empowering them to rise above barriers with dignity and strength. Committed to a rights-based approach, we confront the forces that deny stability, safety, and opportunity, ensuring that every woman and child can pursue their full potential. Through sustainable housing, economic empowerment, and relentless advocacy, we strive for a world where every woman and child is sheltered, protected, and free to thrive in justice, security, and hope.

Our Story

BEFA Women and Child Care Foundation was born out of a deep, unyielding resolve—a resolve to break the cycles of poverty, injustice, and gender-based violence that have silenced and marginalized women for generations.

Our journey began in Nigeria in 2009, where we witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of systemic poverty and the denial of rights. Women trapped in abusive relationships with no legal recourse. Mothers struggling to feed their children. Girls forced to abandon education because of circumstances beyond their control. We refused to stand by. Instead, we took action.

What started as a grassroots movement for legal aid and advocacy quickly grew into a force for systemic change. By 2013, BEFA had gained Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), amplifying our impact on a global scale. We became a voice for the voiceless, fighting not only to address immediate needs but to challenge the structures that sustain inequality and deprivation.

In 2021, we expanded to the United States, recognizing that homelessness is one of the greatest threats to women’s rights, dignity, and economic stability. Here, our mission took on new dimensions—providing holistic solutions that empower women to reclaim their independence. Through the First a Roof Initiative, we are pioneering sustainable, eco-friendly housing solutions for homeless working women and their families.

At BEFA, we believe poverty is not just a lack of resources—it is a denial of justice, opportunity, and voice. That is why our work extends beyond aid; we fight for policy change, legal empowerment, and economic inclusion, ensuring that women are not just survivors but leaders in their own narratives.

Our vision is bold: A world where every woman has access to justice, economic security, and the power to shape her own future. BEFA is not just an organization—it is a movement. A movement to break barriers, shatter ceilings, and create lasting change.

Join us. Stand with us. Together, we can build a future where no woman is left behind.

Meet Our Founder

NNEOMA ALBERT-BENSON

Nneoma Albert-Benson is a woman of remarkable strength, vision, and purpose. A lawyer, human rights activist, serial entrepreneur, and refugee, her life’s work is defined by a relentless commitment to justice, equality, and empowerment. She founded BEFA Women and Child Care Foundation in 2009 to address the systemic challenges faced by women and children, particularly those affected by poverty, violence, and displacement.

Nneoma’s journey is deeply personal. As a refugee, she understands firsthand the struggles of rebuilding life from the ground up. Her legal expertise and lived experience have fueled her dedication to creating safe spaces for women and children, ensuring they have access to justice, economic opportunities, and sustainable housing.

With several years of distinguished experience, Nneoma has shaped BEFA into a force for change, operating at both grassroots and international levels. Under her leadership, BEFA:

Provides legal aid and court access to women and children facing injustice.
Pioneered the Save Women in Prison Initiative, securing acquittals for several imprisoned women and bail for many more awaiting trial.
Leads innovative housing solutions for homeless working women through the First a Roof Initiative, offering eco-friendly, fully furnished smart homes as secure, dignified living spaces.
Earned Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2013, amplifying BEFA’s impact globally.

Nneoma’s human rights work has been recognized at the highest levels. In 2016, she was honored as a recipient of President Barack Obama’s prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship under the Young African Leaders Initiative, a testament to her leadership and transformative influence in Africa and beyond.

Beyond BEFA, Nneoma serves as the Chairperson of the Civil Society Regional Reference Group of the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Program, a collaboration between the United Nations and the European Union to eliminate violence against women and girls by 2030. She also spearheads efforts to resettle and rehabilitate survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and harmful cultural practices, ensuring they receive the resources and support necessary to rebuild their lives.

Her vision extends beyond aid to empowerment—she champions sustainable economic opportunities, policy advocacy, and community-driven solutions to break cycles of poverty and dependency.

Nneoma Albert-Benson’s leadership is rooted in compassion, resilience, and an unshakable belief in a world where every woman and child has the right to thrive, not just survive. Through BEFA, she continues to build bridges between policy, action, and impact, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard, protected, and empowered.

Her story is more than one of survival—it is one of defiance against oppression, a fight for justice, and a commitment to leaving the world better than she found it.

A devoted mother of five, Nneoma balances her global advocacy with the love and dedication she pours into her family. She lives in the United States, where she continues to lead transformative initiatives that uplift women and children worldwide.