The GCAF Centre is a vibrant community hub that nurtures creativity and instils confidence through its exceptional programs. Our focus areas are visual and performing arts, creative writing, and digital arts; the centre provides a safe and inspiring space for individuals to explore their artistic talents.

One of our core missions is to provide a supportive environment that supports the underserved or who faces barriers to accessing creative education. By addressing these challenges, the GCAF Centre plays a vital role in fostering confidence, honing skills, promoting design thinking, and cultivating an appreciation for giving back to the community. By investing in the artistic development of Nigerian youth, we empower them to find their unique voices and express themselves through the arts.

Through our programs, participants gain artistic proficiency and valuable life skills that increase their potential for employment and success within our communities. By nurturing creativity and providing opportunities for self-expression, the GCAF Centre creates a transformative environment where individuals can unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

“The arts provide a powerful tool for women and girls to reclaim their narratives, challenge gender-based violence, and demand gender equality.”

~ Ada Onyejike-Ananaba

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the Girl Child Art Foundation.

Our vision and mission are to see Nigerian girls empowered to fulfill their destiny by helping them realize and develop their leadership and entrepreneurship skills. Our goal is to invest in sustainable solutions that will mitigate or end poverty, provide equal opportunities for social, economic and educational development, and that will ensure a life free from violence.

We are a dynamic, young and very experienced team deeply committed to this cause as we realize that sometimes, GCAF is the only lens through which some of our girls can envision a better, richer and more fulfilling life.

No segment of our society faces more exploitation and injustice than women and girls. Today, we are glad to see the UN paying more attention to girls and developing this into a worldwide movement. This was not always so. World leaders, economists, and policy makers now recognize and promote the fact that the adolescent girl is the most powerful force for change. Despite all these, less than one percent (1%) of international aid is invested in her.

GCAF was created to help close this gap. As founder, I look back now and see that the seeds for this foundation were sowed very early in my life. Being the first of eight (8) children, I automatically became de facto caregiver and childminder. Although my father was a medical doctor and my mother a Health Sciences teacher, they subscribed to the traditional belief that a male child was more valuable to the family. The female child could not extend the family lineage or name and thus should not inherit anything. They were eventually blessed with two boys after six girls but I saw its toll on my mother’s health.

Although I was very fortunate to have educated parents who ensured that I was also educated, I realized that being a girl, my life path and career had already been mapped. It was inconceivable that I could even have a say in my own life or make my own choices. So, I found myself guided down the path of becoming a medical doctor although I had no affinity nor passion for science subjects. I’m glad to say universe gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion in Art. But, looking around and behind me, I realized that many girls were not as fortunate as I had been. Something had to change, and I saw that the biggest impact I could make was to intervene early enough when their choices could still be positively influenced and shaped. This compelled me to create a platform to reach and inspire young girls who were in and/or out of school. GCAF started as small, individual projects aimed at helping these girls see that they had a choice. Sometimes, this is all some of the girls need to know- that no matter what their society or culture says, they have a choice.

In 2000, the idea of GCAF was fully crystallized and birthed. Since then, GCAF has been welcomed by hundreds of Nigerian homes and helped numerous girls to find their voice, a listening ear and freedom to express themselves without condemnation or judgment. Creating access to Skills Development Centers, Youth-focused learning environments and Afterschool Development Programmes are some of the channels we can use to make a difference and break down barriers.

Investing in empowering a girl today, education, health, and economy-wise means giving her the tools to make smart choices that she can, in turn, invest in others coming after her. Research has shown that woman reinvest at least 90% of their income back into their family and community. In this way, just one girl can transform her community in her generation.

It is time to help the Nigerian girl child build a life worth living and take her place as a global citizen.

Educated. Empowered. Inspired. That’s our dream for every Nigerian girl. An African adage says that it takes a village to raise a child. You are our global village. We humbly ask you to join us in making this a reality for as many girls as we can reach.

Please feel free to explore our site and decide how you can be a part of this effort- volunteering, donating, tutoring, there’s something you can do. We look forward to receiving your help.

Founder, Executive Director, and Chief Enthusiast,

Ada Onyejike-Ananaba, B.C

Chinonye Agbo

“As a young growing girl child, I always found it difficult expressing myself. I was not one who would boldly come out and address a group of people no matter how small. I struggled with this till I was 11 years old. That was when I joined Girl Child Art Foundation (GCAF). I had my doubts while joining because I said to myself that it’s not like I can draw or even speak out so what will I be doing there? But then like my mum will always tell me, “there’s no limit to what you can do, just try”. So I decided to give it a try. That was how I realized that with GCAF it was not about what you could do or the talent you have but it was about impacting something positive and reaching out. I can still remember doing a lot of painting even though I didn’t know what I was doing but it was simply a way GCAF could communicate with us. It was not all about the talking and teaching. We all participated.

One day we were all asked to go home and write a poem, it was our take home assignment for the day as we always had one anytime we met. I gladly wrote a poem and submitted without knowing I was going to be called to read it out and demonstrate. Now that’s something I couldn’t do at that time- facing people. I mean, you could hear my voice cracking as I read it out. GCAF helped me overcome this fear and then I saw myself going for talent shows and competitions. I can still remember the Cadbury Bournvita Art Competition we attended at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu State, Nigeria sometime in 2004 and so many others. That was when I even discovered my talent in acting.

GCAF helped me overcome my fears and I became so bold that I wanted to study Law and also help out in any way I could. Well, I did study Law and I’ve just currently graduated from the Universiy of Abuja with a Law degree. Going on to Law School next. While in the University I joined so many volunteer groups and together we could reach out to the Motherless and Orphans in our little way. Just before I graduated I joined an advocacy group – Medical and Health Right Advocacy Society and we did our best in reaching out to the local communities around us and educate them on their health rights.

GCAF was like Family. It was like being a part of something great. It laid a good foundation for me and has helped in my journey to achieving so many other things and I know this is only my starting point and I have Mrs. Ada Onyejike – Ananaba to thank for all of it. God bless you, Ma”.

Olive Eko CA

“I joined GCAF around 2001/2002 I was just a freshman in secondary school and I was so inspired by what Chinwe Roy did to her home. I wanted to be like her. Joining GCAF really made my dreams become bigger. I made new friends and that was when I discovered that I loved Orange because I could draw the sun with a very bright orange color instead of yellow. (Laughs) Aunty Ada guided me on how to mix colors, I learned about oil painting, carving & lots more. My next goal was to be a fine artist but my father wanted more for me. I felt sad for the days when my father (God bless his soul) stopped me from the coming to GCAF meetings. The truth is that GCAF gave me the boldness to talk. I appreciated the vision. I felt I could do more as a woman because I had no limits. I verbally fought my dad but then I was too small.

GCAF being an organization that advocated for girl child rights tried to help by talking with my family. Though I am now a chartered accountant, I still try to keep my art spirit alive. Core values of GCAF made me know that I can achieve a lot of things as a woman. Currently, I am a bi-vocational preacher -a chartered accountant by profession & a teacher of Gods word by calling. I love teaching women & empowering them to dream, believe & achieve whatever they desire as they fulfill their dreams through God’s divine plan”.

Febechukwu Vivian Nwagbo

“GCAF is one of the best platforms that helps to identify, mould and nurture the image of a confident, hardworking and dexterous being in every girl-child. The opportunity it offers is that which helps every girl-child explore and realize her full potentials. As a product of the foundation, I have grown into a confident woman with the realisation that I am as important as my male counterpart and my contributions in the society can change lives. I am currently a practicing lawyer”.

Okechukwu Nodebem

“In the 2016 summer program, I have learned that empowerment is the ability to impact in a person’s life both creatively, mentally, socially and otherwise which will enhance and yield productivity in the person’s future.

I learned that one of the keys to success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do. I have also learned that in life, you do things because the desire is there. Circumstances might weigh you down as a young girl but one should not succumb”.