About Us

Meaningful change begins when people are bold enough to act.

At Jela’s Development Initiatives, guided by our values of Responsibility, Accountability, Integrity, Servant Leadership, and Excellence (RAISE), we work to improve lives through access to safe blood, clean water, mental wellbeing, and youth-led community action.

Our Impact

Our Story.

Jela’s Development Initiatives (JDI) was born from a simple belief: that true impact requires addressing the complete human experience, from health to empowerment.

2015 – 2019: The Spark

While working as a broadcast journalist, Angela Omeiza leveraged her platform to mobilise support for boreholes and blood drives, revealing the power of collective action.

2019: Formalization

JDI was officially registered as a structured, impact-driven organisation focused on promoting individual wholeness through practical, community-based solutions.

Global Vision

Strengthened by the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the vision evolved to raise audacious servant leaders addressing gaps in health and community development.

Innovative Programmes

J Blood Match

Digital platform for safe blood access

Unburden Therapy

Access to group mental health support

WASH Interventions

Clean water & sanitation access

Youth Leadership

LEP: Building servant leaders

"Today, JDI implements scalable programmes reaching diverse communities, rooted in the belief that sustainable change begins with individual wholeness."

Our Journey So Far.

From our founding to launching national platforms, every milestone is a step toward whole-person care.

2019

The Vision Begins

JDI is officially founded in May. We rapidly launched the 'Unburden' Group Therapy sessions to provide free, safe spaces for mental health support.

2019

AI for Blood Donation

In November, we launched the first iteration of J Blood Match as an AI chatbot on Telegram and Facebook to connect voluntary donors to hospitals.

2021

Building Leaders & Communities

Hosted the first Leadership Exchange Programme (LEP) cohort. We also successfully built a modern 6-stall toilet and refurbished a borehole in Iwa Community, Niger State.

2022

Expanding Mental Health Access

Partnered with The Leprosy Mission Nigeria to expand group therapy and advocacy specifically for youth with disabilities.

2023

J Blood Match App Launch

Formally launched the full J Blood Match software application at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and secured a 5-year strategic partnership with the T.Y. Danjuma Foundation.

2024

LEP Kogi State

Launched the LEP Kogi State program, proudly funded by the United States Government to empower the next generation of civic leaders.

Our Methodology

Our Approach.

We adopt a holistic, community-driven approach that integrates innovation, capacity building, and strategic partnerships. Our model ensures that interventions are not only impactful but also sustainable and scalable.

Innovation and Technology

Capacity Building and Training

Advocacy and Storytelling

Partnerships with Government, Donors, and Communities

Evidence-based Programming and Learning

Our DNA

We R.A.I.S.E. The Bar.

These five core values guide our operations, partnerships, and commitment to delivering sustainable impact.

Responsibility

We believe we are all part of both the problem and the solution. Our work reflects the areas we have chosen to take responsibility for and we own them fully.