SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM TEO!
Roy Omo-Bare is a proud African from Nigeria with a multicultural background. He was raised in the United States by his Nigerian father who was a political science professor and his Egyptian mother who is a retired business woman. Growing up, Roy recalls having a nurturing & colorful upbringing.
Roy earned his associate degree from Hinds C
Roy Omo-Bare is a proud African from Nigeria with a multicultural background. He was raised in the United States by his Nigerian father who was a political science professor and his Egyptian mother who is a retired business woman. Growing up, Roy recalls having a nurturing & colorful upbringing.
Roy earned his associate degree from Hinds Community College in Mississippi and later studied philosophy at Jackson State University.
Following his education, Roy found himself working in unfulfilling management and marketing positions in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2015, Roy took a leap of faith by traveling to his father's homeland of Nigeria. He had never experienced his father's village of Uzebba and had no idea what to expect. There, he embraced the familiar faces of his aunt and uncle, who would often visit him in the States. This was when he first encountered a local school that would change his life forever.
Timdel's Academy was founded by his uncle, Ayo Omo-Bare. Ayo was not only the founder and director of Timdel's Academy, but he was also the traditional ruler of the kingdom of Iuleha, of which Uzebba is a part. After Ayo's untimely passing in 2016, Roy's retired aunt took on the leadership role, with Roy assisting in various school projects and activities.
In December 2018, without warning, Roy's aunt suddenly passed away, leaving him and Timdel's Academy without a head. This tragic event led to the appointment of a third director in two years. The shock left everyone in the community, including Roy, feeling uncertain.
Roy recalls his father encouraging him to believe in himself, telling him that the road would be tough and unpredictable but that he would support the mission to keep Timdel's Academy operational.
2019 was a year of hurdles and setbacks for Timdel's Academy. It was nearly impossible for the new, inexperienced director to implement proper educational standards when the school lacked basic infrastructure, such as constant running water, electricity, and security. The furniture and buildings were also rapidly deteriorating. Additionally, the academy was understaffed and underpaid, with salaries averaging well below the national minimum wage, equivalent to about $60 per month.
In a community consisting mainly of small farmers and market women, students were often known to skip school to help their parents on the farm or at market stalls. This combination of practices, poor infrastructure, and underpaid staff perpetuated a cycle of socioeconomic and cultural challenges for the rural community.
Although these conditions were common in many rural schools across Nigeria, Roy understood that leading a school was a privileged opportunity to create positive change in his community. He believed that the responsibility of heading a school on his native soil was not coincidental but a calling to make a difference.
The tides gradually turned as a group of like-minded, God-fearing, and selfless teachers and staff began to form, believing in Roy's vision. Financial support from Roy's father in the United States and his aunt in London also strengthened his morale as a leader. He often clarifies, "If it were not for them, there would be no Timdel's Academy today."
In July 2024, Roy officially stepped down as director, passing the torch to a competent international body that includes his philanthropist aunt in London, Princess Aina Omo-Bare. Upon doing so, the director of Timdel's Academy for six meaningful years had much to feel proud of.
Some of the significant achievements under his leadership included the recruitment of better-qualified staff and increasing staff wages from 50 to 300%. He also spearheaded initiatives like the International Mentorship Program and in-school remedial lessons, all of which are still in practice today. He hosted summer programs at his family's residence to keep students positively engaged during the holidays in a community without recreational centers. In March 2024, the Uzebba community will never forget the day Roy introduced the very first standard-sized school bus to Timdel's Academy. The bus not only met the crucial need for student and staff transportation but also opened opportunities for future educational excursions, competitions, tournaments, and more.
Some would say Roy's most notable achievement was bringing attention to the beauty and potential of the challenged rural community school. "There are truly wonderful people across different time zones who dedicate their time to interact with our students and staff. They see what I see and want to do something great for our children. Miracles definitely happen with technology, commitment, and big hearts."
Roy also spoke about the future. "Timdel's Academy now meets proper governmental standards and is under remarkable new international leadership. However, we know that many schools in the region are not as fortunate. Our plan is to gradually address the challenges facing these schools in rural communities. You find the strongest people in these overlooked populations. Providing a standard education for their children will definitely plant the seeds for a better world. This is the inspiration behind Timdel's Educational Outreach."
A dedicated advocate for education and a proud graduate of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Helen Uche has found her true calling through her work with Timdel's Educational Outreach (TEO). Her journey began during her one-year NYSC service when she was assigned to teach at Timdel's Academy. That year proved transformative, not just for her s
A dedicated advocate for education and a proud graduate of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Helen Uche has found her true calling through her work with Timdel's Educational Outreach (TEO). Her journey began during her one-year NYSC service when she was assigned to teach at Timdel's Academy. That year proved transformative, not just for her students, but for Helen herself. Immersed in the struggles and triumphs of rural students, she witnessed firsthand the power of education to change lives.
Reflecting on that experience, Helen shares, "That year in the classroom changed everything for me. I saw students who had so much potential but lacked the resources and opportunities to fully realize it. It was then that I knew I had to do more." Her time at Timdel’s Academy deepened her belief that "education is the key to unlocking opportunities," and it solidified her commitment to ensuring that "every child, no matter where they live, deserves access to quality learning."
This profound experience propelled Helen to become a board member of Timdel's Educational Outreach, where she continues to work tirelessly to bridge the educational gap in rural communities. Her passion for education is more than just a belief—it’s a mission. "TEO is not just an organization to me. It's a movement that speaks to my heart," she explains.
When she's not championing TEO’s cause, Helen can be found exploring new travel destinations, experimenting with new recipes, or diving into a good book. She lives by the philosophy that "laughter and joy can be found in everyday moments," and infuses her life with positivity and humor.
Through her work with TEO, Helen’s ultimate goal is to inspire students in rural areas to "dream big, work hard, and achieve their goals." She invites others to join her on this mission, saying, "We have the power to change the future, one student at a time."
Timothy Omo-Bare's journey with Timdel’s Educational Outreach (TEO) is one that is deeply personal, rooted not just in family history but also in his formative experiences as a student at Timdel’s Academy. After moving back to Uzebba from Lagos, Timothy was homeschooled for a period. But once he joined Timdel’s Academy, he saw firsthand t
Timothy Omo-Bare's journey with Timdel’s Educational Outreach (TEO) is one that is deeply personal, rooted not just in family history but also in his formative experiences as a student at Timdel’s Academy. After moving back to Uzebba from Lagos, Timothy was homeschooled for a period. But once he joined Timdel’s Academy, he saw firsthand the significant challenges rural students faced in accessing quality education. The scarcity of resources and qualified teachers created an uphill battle for students like him, making it difficult to achieve their full potential.
“When my father, Ayo Omo-Bare II, passed away, I lost not only a guiding force but also my confidence,” Timothy reflects. “I struggled academically, and it was a tough time.” The academic challenges that followed his father’s passing led him to restart his educational journey, beginning afresh from junior school.
But perseverance and the right support systems helped him find his footing once again. As of 2024, Timothy is now in his third year studying political science and is proud to be among the top students in his class. His personal experience has given him a profound understanding of the barriers to education in rural areas. “I see my father's vision in the work we do at TEO,” he says. “We’re helping students like me—students who need the support and resources to thrive.”
For Timothy, being part of TEO is not just about education—it’s about legacy. His father’s passion for ensuring access to education, coupled with his own struggles and triumphs, has solidified his belief that every child deserves an opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. This is why he remains steadfast in his commitment to TEO’s mission of raising educational standards across Nigeria’s rural communities.
Raised by his aunt, who he describes as a mother to him, Timothy learned early on the values of perseverance, hard work, and giving back. Her passing was a painful loss, but it strengthened his resolve to continue the important work that Timdel’s Educational Outreach represents.
“It’s an honor to serve on the board of TEO,” Timothy shares with pride. “We are striving to empower children by breaking the cycle of poverty through education. I believe in every student's potential and I'm proud to be part of a movement that brings their dreams within reach."
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