From This Rock, Inc. Fundraising Dinner

From This Rock, Inc., a Waltham-based nonprofit, is hosting a fundraising dinner at Sacred Heart Parish’s parish hall to sponsor its next project: a medical clinic in Nkerefi, a city in Enugu State, Nigeria. On Saturday, September 12th, 2026, guests are invited to enjoy an evening of African entertainment, authentic cuisine, some Nigerian-inspired mocktails, and the chance to win some raffle items. After the 4 p.m. Mass, the From This Rock board will serve up Afrobeats and Nigerian treats at 311 River Street, Waltham, MA 02453, right across the parking lot, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased after Sunday Masses (see weekly parish bulletin for times).

From This Rock, Inc. was founded in 2024, after then-priest-in-residence Father Gabriel Chukwu returned to Sacred Heart from a visit to his home country in 2023. Parishioners were riveted by the details of his trip, so he gave a slideshow presentation that struck the congregation’s heart with photos and videos of villagers traveling miles on foot to fetch unclean water from a dying river. Parishioners rallied to make a positive difference in the lives of the Nigerians Father Chukwu called family, and by May of 2024, From This Rock, Inc. was established to address humanitarian aid (accessible clean water, facilities and supplies for proper healthcare, funding and promoting education) for communities in need. The first project? Uplifting Father Gabriel’s hometown, of course.

In April 2025, From This Rock, Inc. completed its first goal of building a freshwater well in a small African city: Nkerefi, Enugu state, Nigeria. A dedication and thanksgiving ceremony was held on May 15th. From This Rock raised about $16k, aiming to cover supplies, maintenance, incidentals, and labor after commissioning plans from local engineers. The project cost $14.5k, and now, the solar-powered well provides potable water, renewable energy, and a gathering place for the many villages and towns nearby. Students flock to the filling stations to charge phones and laptops. Farmers are able to grow and process their crops with clean water. A television and some sports fans have even made it a community center for watching soccer matches! This far exceeded the hopes and dreams of the small nonprofit, but once achieved, members knew more could be done.

Community members in Waltham have already extended their generosity to citizens of a foreign land, most of whom they will never meet, because they understand the importance of drinkable water and supporting one’s family, no matter the distance. The From This Rock board believes clean water is a human right. It also values public health, and installing a close source of potable water vastly improved the social determinants of health for the city. In order to sustain the changes wrought by the well, the next step was a discussion with Father Gabriel’s contacts back home on other needs that From This Rock could fill. The event in September will kickstart fundraising for the next goal: establishing a clinic nearby in collaboration with existing clinicians and mission volunteers. More information can be found at https://fromthisrock.org.

About From This Rock, Inc.:

From This Rock, Inc. was established in May of 2024 to address humanitarian aid (accessible clean water, facilities and supplies for proper healthcare, funding and promoting education) for communities in need. This nonprofit organization will support domestic and international aid.

Contact:

Blessing Ajaero

Board Member

From This Rock, Inc.

(781) 330-0763

[email protected]

https://fromthisrock.org

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