Welcome to this festive season. We are fortunate to keep the Foundation going thanks to the support you provide as our partner over the years. We have made meaningful progress since the beginning of the year, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support. In response to the increasing and exceptional demand for support, we remain dedicated to providing assistance as community members face challenges associated with escalating living costs.
Your unwavering support has been instrumental in enabling us to respond with agility and impact to these evolving needs.
Formal Partnership with the United Community of Ukrainians in Azerbaijan
L-R – Wilson, Ms. Tamilla Musayeva and Lydia – And the kids during our visit on the 21st of December.
We are pleased to announce that the Lydia Wilson Foundation has entered a formal partnership with the United Community of Ukrainians in Azerbaijan (www.ukrdiaspora.az).
This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to supporting those most affected by the ongoing conflict in the region. As many are aware, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in the displacement of numerous families. Through this partnership, our organizations aim to bolster care and support for displaced children by providing consistent welfare assistance, ensuring access to education, offering psychosocial services, and delivering structured humanitarian aid.
Ms. Tamilla Musayeva, Head of the Ukrainian Community, has warmly welcomed this partnership, and we look forward to working closely together to make a positive impact. We visited the Sumgayit residence, where we donated materials to the children on November 11, 2025, and again on December 21, 2025. During our recent visit, we joined the Christmas celebrations and provided additional supplies to help alleviate the challenges faced by these children. We encourage and welcome any support from our community to further assist these vulnerable children in need.
Annual Football Tournament
The kids displaying their football talent with the 3 scholarship recipients from the tournament.
In partnership with WestDyke Community Football Aberdeen, 5 Stars of Egbeda, and Football Ambassadors, the 2025 annual football tournament was held in Lagos on the 5th of July, this tournament featured over 100 children from both the Football Ambassadors FC and the 5 STARS football club Egbeda Lagos. The Football Ambassadors lifted the cup after an incredible display of football talent!!! This annual event is targeted at children from slum areas to provide a safe space away from the trauma at home. The children displayed their excellent football skills and received medals with scholarships provided to the top 3 players of the tournament.
This annual event has gained so much popularity, and we thank our partners for making it happen.Widow Empowerment through Farming Widows receiving fertilizers and other farming items in June and the harvest gathered in October.In June 2025, we partnered with RADi to empower 20 vulnerable rural women farmers located across three Local Government Areas in Southern Kaduna.
Through this collaboration, each participant received essential agricultural inputs, including liquid fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, and hybrid seedlings. The primary objective of this initiative is to enable these women to cultivate their land effectively, thereby ensuring food security and generating income to support their families.
Our team conducted a follow-up visit in October to assess the progress of the programme. We were greatly encouraged by the advancements made by the women, witnessing firsthand the positive impact the support has had on their farming activities and livelihoods. For a more personal perspective on the program’s effectiveness, we invite you to listen to a testimonial from one of the beneficiaries here.
Baku Half Marathon fundraising Success
In an inspiring show of commitment to our charitable mission, Wilson took part in the Baku Half Marathon on 4 May 2025. Running an impressive 21 kilometres, Wilson not only crossed the finish line but also helped to raise £2,500 in support of the Lydia Wilson Foundation’s ongoing efforts to aid vulnerable members of our society. We invite all those passionate about making a difference to contribute to this cause. Your donations will help us continue our vital work in supporting those in need. To donate, please visit our website page or follow this link: https://bit.ly/4hXIBDA
Sustained support for the vulnerable during festive season
Our commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals within our communities remains steadfast. Currently, the foundation provides empowerment and educational aid to a growing number of beneficiaries, including 102 widows and 130 children.
These individuals rely on our programmes for vital resources and opportunities to improve their quality of life. Throughout the year, and especially during festive periods such as Easter and Christmas, we distribute food parcels to selected widows. These packages are intended to bring both joy and much-needed relief during times that can be particularly challenging. Despite our efforts, many beneficiaries continue to face hardships due to persistent food poverty and rising inflation, which further threaten their wellbeing.
Strengthening Our Impact and Partnerships in 2026
We extend our sincere gratitude to all our volunteers and change agents who have worked tirelessly with us to advance the charity’s mission. Their unwavering dedication is fundamental to the delivery of our programmes and the progress we have achieved so far. However, to widen our reach and amplify our impact, we are seeking to engage more change agents. We warmly invite individuals who are passionate about making a difference to join our team and help extend our support to even more vulnerable communities. We are also committed to deepening our partnership with the Ukrainian community in Baku.
There is a present need for an English-speaking teacher for the students within this community, with an annual cost of £15,000. To address this, we are actively seeking additional grants and financial support. Your support will be instrumental in making this educational opportunity a reality for these students. In pursuit of our commitment to education and empowerment, we are eager to set up partnerships with educational charities and pursue grants.
Collaborating with like-minded organisations will enhance the educational support we provide and further develop our widow empowerment programme, ensuring broader and more sustainable aid for those we serve. Building on our existing support for widows and orphaned children, we are committed to reaching even more vulnerable families. With the ongoing high cost-of-living challenges impacting our communities, we are determined to strengthen our food security programmes and essential support services. Our goal is to develop more sustainable solutions that empower families to build long-term resilience and improve their overall wellbeing.
Summary
Finally, LWF would love to continue to do more in this area if we can grow funds for operation. All we have achieved and still hope to achieve is only possible with your continued financial support.Your donations make the following difference: £20 pays for 1 child’s school stationary for a term, £30 pays for 1 child’s school fees for 1 term, £60 pays for a child’s uniform over the school year, £80 pays for a child’s clothing essential for a year, £150 provides emergency medical bills for an expectant mother.
To make donations, please visit our website, www.lydiawilsonfoundation.org. Alternatively, if you wish to make a One-off payment or to set up a frequent donation please drop us an email at lydiawilsonfoundation@gmail.com and we will respond with the relevant bank account details.
Together, we are building stronger, supportive and more resilient communities globally; Thank you!
Lydia Balogun-Wilson
President, LWF
