History

Weruche Inspires is not just a name, but a symbol of resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit. Named after its founder, Weruché  Uzoka (formerly Weruche George) this organization embodies her extraordinary journey as a single mother of two, who defied all odds and transcended the boundaries of adversity. Weruche's story is one of triumph over the darkest of circumstances, as she escaped violence and political persecution in her home country, ultimately finding refuge, peace and hope in the United States.

 Arriving in America, Weruché embarked on a remarkable transformation, determined to rebuild her life from the ground up. Starting with nothing but an unwavering spirit, she began the journey to freedom. Despite the challenges she faced as an asylum seeker, Weruche's unwavering dedication to her children and her dreams propelled her forward.

However, Weruché's heart was not solely focused on her own struggles. Her experiences as an asylum seeker and her empathy for those in similar situations ignited a profound sense of compassion within her. Moved by the plight of refugees, she stepped forward as a volunteer at a refugee resettlement agency, devoting her time and energy to support and uplift them in their most vulnerable moments. 

In 2013, she travelled with a group at Quinnipiac University to Poland, where she met Mother Agnès-Mariam de la Croix. A conversation with her regarding the girls who were kidnapped in Nigeria by the terrorist group Boko Haram would spark a deeper interest in human rights activism, thus Weruche Inspires was born in June 2015 - as an organization that educates, empowers and inspires women and girls.

In 2015, Weruche Inspires would collaborate with a partner organization to host widows, domestic violence survivers and orphans in Nairobi, Kenya. This singular effort would spark dialogue and inspire several humanitarian efforts across the United States and Nigeria. More groups would come together to further the initiative to help women and girls who have found themselves in vulnerable situations.

Her documentary film "Is this Home Now" started talks about the lives of immigrants who resettled in New Haven, Conn., helping expound upon the lived experience of refugees in America. Today, through Weruche Inspires, "Is this Home Now" has become a project that continues to grow, shedding light on the immigrant experience.

At Columbia University, she would embark upon graduate studies in Human Rights to further articulate her passions, and as a way to continue her family's legacy of service. Her paternal grandfather Francis Irona Uzoka fought in WWII in the East African campaign - one of the over one million African recruits who were unrecognized.  Subsequently, with the help of her college advisor, she continued her research into the stories of Africans who dedicated their lives to service. At a family gathering, she began talks with a Rev. Priest to retrace her grandfather's journey as an African World War II veteran, which she began promoting on social media. Her work would lead her to several resources including other WWII decendants as well as correspondence with some authorities, culminating in a documentary film in the works.

As her passion for social justice continued to grow, Weruché's relentless pursuit of equality led her to the prestigious platform of the United Nations. Recognizing her unwavering commitment to women's issues, she was sent to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women as a delegate by UNA-USA in 2018, advocating for the rights and empowerment of rural women. Her voice became a catalyst for change, inspiring others to join the cause, fostering a greater understanding of the importance of gender equality.

Weruché's advocacy did not stop there. Driven by her desire to make a tangible difference in her local community, she fearlessly embarked on a political journey, running for office to fight for the marginalized people in her community. With her unique perspective and unwavering determination, she has become a force for positive change, championing initiatives that improve the lives of those most in need. 

But Weruché's impact extended beyond the realm of politics and advocacy. Realizing the power of education as a catalyst for change, while recovering from surgery in 2021, she undertook the monumental task of writing 57 children's books in one year to combat racism and the suppressing of African heritage stories, devoid of the stories of slavery. Through these captivating stories, she aimed to address the systemic injustice prevalent in the American education system where real stories of blacks are still left untold,  and has helped provide people of African descent with resources that help foster pride of ancestry.

In 2024, Weruche Inspires would take the Princess Naku Education Initiative - an initiative that was born out of the Princess Naku Series - to the United Nations' CSW68. Together with organizations like "What Dance Can Do,"  in Switzerland and France, "Women's Federation for World Peace," in New York and Taiwan, and "Noctilucent Grace" in Taiwan, she would address the importance of performance arts for economically disadvantaged children. The "Princess Naku Education initiative" in March 2024 opened its doors to its first class of 33 young students in Nigeria, using arts education as a tool to impact the lives of young children, aiding them cognitvely, physically, behaviorally and socially. Through dance, storytelling, music, and subsequently drama, children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are allowed the opportunity to accomplish their dreams!

The name "Weruche Inspires" encapsulates the transformative journey of a woman who defied all odds and became a beacon of hope for countless others. It represents the resilience of the human spirit, the power of determination, and the boundless capacity to create positive change, one person at a time, on the local and international arena. 

As her college professor John M. Gourlie said: "Perhaps it is my own limited experience, but I have not found very many “social activists” who have a poet’s soul as well.  Perhaps with the [2016] Nobel Prize for literature going to Bob Dylan, I should expand the horizons of my mental categories.  Weruché  herself makes me expand my mental categories.  More than that, her deep commitment to her fellow human beings challenges the limits of my own heart and soul.  If I had to put this effect into words, I’d say that she makes other people better versions of themselves, whether it is settling refugees in New Haven, expanding the possibilities for women in Kenya, or simply by knowing her, she illuminates for the rest of us what our human capacities are at their best."

 Through the organization, Weruché Uzoka  continues to inspire and uplift, leaving an indelible mark on the world and serving as a reminder that hope can flourish even in the face of the most daunting challenges, and especially through the voice of one.