Our work

Children belong in school.

Across Nigeria, we help children off the street and back into a classroom, and we stay with them so they stay in school.

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Children in green uniforms writing in their exercise books; one boy looks up from his page at the camera, pen in hand.
A young girl in a green and red graduation gown and cap, smiling at the camera.

Our work

The Foundation writes its success story through the numerous lives saved.

Three programmes across Nigeria: for children who are out of school, older people who need care, and families going through a crisis.

Children in checked school uniforms walk along a dirt road with their school bags; one girl looks back and smiles.An older woman in a gold headwrap and embroidered dress, smiling softly.A mother combs her daughter's hair at home in warm afternoon light.
Children in checked school uniforms walk along a dirt road with their school bags; one girl looks back and smiles.

Our flagship programme

Street to School

Getting children who are out of school back into a classroom near home, and keeping them there.

  1. Find

    We find children who are out of school.

  2. Enrol

    We place them in a classroom nearby and cover the uniform, books and fees.

  3. Stay

    We make sure they stay in school.

Support Street to School
An older woman in a gold headwrap and embroidered dress, smiling softly.

Programme two

Older people

Help with healthcare costs, so that a grandparent's treatment does not compete with a child's school fees.

Support older people
A mother combs her daughter's hair at home in warm afternoon light.

Programme three

Families in hard times

Food and practical support when a crisis reaches a community, as during the 2020 lockdown in Lagos.

Support families

The work so far

What the work adds up to.

Four figures from the Foundation's own reporting, across Street to School and our wider work in Nigeria.

Street to School since 2018
175
Children taken off the street and into a classroom.
200
Mother careProjects supporting women and their families.
3,824
BeneficiariesPeople helped directly by our programmes across Nigeria.
5,090
OutreachPeople reached through our community outreach.

What drives us

Our mission

We exist to provide succour for the less privileged, especially vulnerable women and children , and to make our communities liveable for all

01Our vision

To be a foundation recognised around the world for lifting people out of poverty.

Who we are

02Our supporters

Every contribution matters to our work, and every one is gratefully received.

Make a donation
A schoolboy receiving a new school bag from the Foundation at a student scholarship event.
A schoolgirl speaking into a microphone at a student scholarship event.
An older woman holding a gift and speaking into a microphone at a Foundation outreach for older mothers.

About Mercy Alexander Foundation

Helping children back into school, and standing with the families around them.

Who we are

Since we began, we have worked with individuals, organisations and government agencies on projects and programmes that have added value to the lives of thousands of Nigerians.

Mercy Alexander Foundation is a Nigerian charity. Our flagship programme, Street to School, launched in 2018, places out-of-school children in classrooms near home and keeps them there.

Mercy Alexander, founder of the Foundation, in a white suit.
Founded by Mercy Alexander

Mercy's own story, in her words, will sit here: why she started the Foundation and what keeps her going.

Read Mercy's story

Media

Moments from the work.

See all photos and videos
Children holding new school bags, with Foundation volunteers and parents behind them.
Student scholarshipStreet to School
Volunteers in Foundation caps handing a gift bag to a market trader.
Mother’s Day outreachFamilies
Older men and women seated outdoors at a Foundation outreach.
Remembrance outreachOlder people, 2021
Older women in bright wrappers standing together with Foundation volunteers in a hall.
Outreach to older mothersOlder people
Children clapping at a student scholarship event.
Scholarship dayStreet to School
Pupils in green and white uniforms gathered in a school yard.
School visitStreet to School
A volunteer handing a gift bag to an older woman seated outdoors.
Gifts for older peopleOlder people, 2021
A volunteer handing a bag of goods to a woman at a market stall.
At the marketMother’s Day

Testimonials

“It gives me immense pleasure to share my thoughts about Mercy Alexander Foundation. The Foundation has shown my grandparents love by making sure their health needs were taken care of, and has also helped with funds to further care for them.”
Folakemi KadiriOn her grandparents’ care