Motivating Towards Excellence

 

FOUNDERS

Life Bridges Inc. was founded by Dr. Okon Tom Udo and Mrs. Victoria Udo in 1997. Dr. Udo has taught in various High Schools and Universities for over 32 years and also worked with Chevron Oil Company for 7 years. His doctoral studies was in Petroleum Geochemistry. O.T., as he is popularly called has had a passion for youth outreach since he was a young man in high school. He told his wife since they got married that he was choosing to teach so as to be a positive influence on youths. Even his students in High School and University today bear witness to this. He has been a minister of the Gospel since 1975. Mrs. Udo has taught in various High Schools for over 20 years and has served as the Principal of various schools both in Nigeria and in the United States. She is an Educational Consultant and a Motivational Speaker and has published four books. Her first book came as a request from the audience of school Principals who first listened to her on “Using the National Policy on Education to rebuild the Country’’ in 1997. It was an electrifying moment in history. Victoria has many gifting or talents. Her poem on “The Fallen Soldier in The Gulf” was published by the San Ramon Times on April 1, 1991. She has spoken to audiences in West Covina, Orange County, Bakersfield, etc. She loves global intercession and has been a voice for righteousness where ever she finds herself. Okon and Victoria have been happily married for over 45 years and have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Dr. Udo and his family moved to the United States in 1990 through his work with Chevron Oil Company. In the midst of their lucrative job with Chevron, they received a call to become missionaries with World Impact Inc. and served for seven years as Principal and Administrator in the Watts Christian School in the inner city of Los Angeles, California. It was while serving in this mission field that the Lord placed a burden on their hearts, to found LIFE BRIDGES. There were many programs to use and actualize the vision. They have trained hundreds of school principals and teachers in Africa. They have a distinct call to help facilitate the founding of Christian Schools in Africa on invitation. Redemption Academy which was founded in 2004 in Uyo, Nigeria stands as exhibit. They have continued teaching in Kern County High School District in California. They realize that children everywhere need solid foundation in character to be able to maximize the opportunities given to them. There is so much resources available to the American child which they need to be motivated to take advantage of. The Udos have put together a mini book featuring forty one Christian virtues which they are placing in the hands of American students to help them focus on school and life. They first published this booklet, “The Flower Book Of Virtues," in Africa in 2006. They are still raising help to improve conditions of schools for the poor African child, feeding the hungry children, many of which go to school on empty stomachs while food is being thrown away on some campuses here. They are supplying textbooks and school equipment to some of these African schools where possible. One of their current desires is to train and encourage teachers and students in the poor African schools to plant vegetable gardens to help subsidize food, while also memorizing chunks of the Scripture.

BRIEF HISTORY

The inspiration for this work came to Victoria as she deeply observed and listened to her young students in Watts. Day after day the children placed their hands over their chests and pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States. Their innocent eyes sparkled in their sockets. The founding fathers had laid a great foundation for success. The ACSI also exposed her to videos and lectures on patriotic Americans who made a difference as founding fathers of the Nation. What a legacy! Will succeeding generations uphold the standard of true “liberty and justice for all, under God?’’ she asked. It was something her countrymen and women missed growing up—living for the common good of mankind. There were no lessons on patriotism where she grew up. The purpose of school was just to make a “good living” in the future for oneself and family. The colonial masters had sold this to them. The American spirit of volunteerism was very foreign to them. They paid attention to issues of this new Country which brought help to the needy and under- privileged. Even their children caught up with this. As Christian people it was not difficult to yield to giving “a cup of cold water to the thirsty”. They discussed and the family began sponsoring trips to and from Africa where they introduced the ARISE program. They found that they could use the Tool of Education, especially godly education, to rebuild a nation. The concept of LIFE BRIDGES thus evolved. This Concept is simply calling on people to love their country and serve the common good. IT STARTS EVEN AT THE FAMILY LEVEL. When it is good with you they say, never forget to make things better for the less fortunate. The example from the American society which had developed a conscience impressed the Udos. A six year old student walked up to Victoria (then a school Principal) one day at about 8.05 am, and asked ”why were you late Mrs. Udo, you were late yesterday?” She explained to this young student. That was unheard of from where she was born. This story should be heard. Tyranny and nepotism can only give way and free the oppressed peoples of the world as righteous principles are taught in schools, churches and homes. This will ease the burden on America trying to free oppressed people everywhere. The shouts of “NOT FAIR” would break out at the least sight of injustice, in the city! Their work in Watts Christian School and Intercession opened the door to the Udos passion for Christian School education. They received a commission to assist groups in Africa to establish Christian schools to help produce righteous students who will infuse their land with righteous government in their time. It came to the Udos that their sojourn in America was not just for themselves but to help introduce the good they have seen in America to Africa and also the good things that Africa has should be brought to make America greater. This is the concept of Life Bridges. It is a philosophy. The Bridge has been established. In a wonderful way, God brought Mr. David Schaad, one of the Board Members, to work alongside the Udos in the last two years. He has been instrumental to Life Bridges getting properly registered as a Public Charity (Non-profit) organization. He has a servant spirit. He had served in Kenya for many years as a missionary and also in Iran.

THE WORK THUS FAR

In 1997, Life Bridges received its EIN number. That same year Mrs. Udo started making mission trips to African countries, starting from Nigeria to rally a team. Funding was solely from personal account with a few friends here and in Nigeria. She had opportunities to train teachers, administrators and Principals of schools, using the Christian worldview as the basis. She also visited many schools, donating books and game equipment. The key has been giving opportunities to children who would otherwise never have had. Children (both here and in Africa) need foundations of character while growing up and Christian education does it beautifully. It also takes teachers with a passion for right living to actually make a difference in children with love. This is why Life Bridges has made over 30 trips so far to some African Countries to share with teachers, the heart of raising godly children who can apply themselves to study and right living. Life Bridges has also helped in setting up Christian Schools in Africa. Life Bridges helped introduce a significant Nigeria audience to ACSI which is now established in Nigeria, and continues to work with them when opportunity opens. Youth is often a time of life when children claim to know more than they actually do. It is therefore the appropriate time to help build up their lives with correct values for living. Since school children in America have sufficient food, their need is mostly to build up character. That is why our emphasis in the United States is to help build these values into the lives of school children through mentoring, Christian group meetings, motivational speeches, and giving them the pocket book of values, The Flower Book of Virtues. We are still travelling to Africa to provide the basic necessities.