Voice of Children International (VOCI) was first conceived in 1996 by Rev. Fr. Chidi Ezennia Osondu. It was during the period of his seminary formation that the seed of setting up an organisation for the less privileged was sown in his heart, which later came into existence with the name, Voice of Children International. It became operational in 2002 but its office in Nigeria started functioning in 2005 after Fr. Chidi’s Priestly ordination. After the organisation became fully operational, Fr. Chidi sought the assistance of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM) Congregation under the leadership of Mother Casmir Uzoukwu to assign Rev. Sisters from the Congregation to help to oversee the activities of the organisation and report back to the Board. VOCI has an office located at 66A Chime Avenue, New Haven, Enugu, with the Board of Directors running the organisation. VOCI is a non-profit, non-denominational children, youths, and women dedicated organisation founded on service and love and rooted in the faith of Christian charity and social work.
VOCI is meant to serve the medical, educational, physical, social, and spiritual needs of the poor, less privileged, handicapped, abused children/youth, and women in Nigeria-Africa. It was formed in a response to the Mandate of Christ:
“Give them something to eat” (Mathew 14:16).
VOCI understands this mandate to include serving the needs of many neglected children/youth and women especially the widow, with love and dedication beyond measure.

Our ministry aids the poor, less privileged, handicapped children, youths and women in Nigeria. It also provides care and funds for children afflicted with serious diseases/deformation and assists in providing for social mothers.

Rev. Father Chidi Osondu was the Executive Director of VOCI from inception until his death. He was the head of the VOCI secretariat which was efficiently run with the administrative staff. The leadership also comprises the board of directors that has been running the organization since the death of Fr. Osondu. On the 10th anniversary of his death, a new board was constituted in 2020 to continue piloting the affairs of VOCI.

Late Fr. Chidi Ezennia Osondu was born on the 19^th of July 1973; the first of the seven children of late Mr. Luke Chijioke and Mrs. Susan Osondu of Amoli in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Most legends have humble beginnings, which often seem irreconcilable with their great achievements. Late Rev. Fr. Chidi Ezennia Osondu was one of such icons that achieved great heights from a humble start of life.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

At the age of four, he began his primary education at Central School Amoli and completed with an outstanding performance on his First School Leaving Certificate.

SECONDARY/TERTIARY EDUCATION

His desire for the Catholic Priesthood was enkindled after his primary school graduation, resulting in his enrolment into Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude on the 13^th of September 1984 for his secondary education. On completing his three-year junior secondary education at Sacred Heart Seminary, he moved to St. John Cross Seminary, Nsukka to complete the remaining three years as was the custom then. Owing to his excellent academic credentials, young Ezennia was posted back to Sacred Heart Seminary after graduation from St. John’s as a teacher on apostolic work.

At the end of his apostolic work at Nsude, Fr. Chidi relocated to Umuahia. He, with two other classmates, became the founding and pioneer teachers of Loretto Boy’s Secondary School, Osaa, Umuahia under the supervision of late Bishop Anthony Nwedo. It was during the successful execution of his assignment as a teacher at Loretto that young Chidi came in contact with Schoenstatt Fathers. He later joined the Schoenstatt Congregation, which sent him to the Claretian Institute of Philosophy, Nekede in Imo State for his philosophical studies.

While at Nekede, Ezennia functioned as the Seminary choirmaster, driver, and the Rector’s office Assistant. After his philosophical studies at Claretian Nekede, Fr. Chidi through the encouragement of Fr. Brian Fox (SSJ), (a priest he came in contact with, in the course of his philosophical studies), proceeded to the United States to join the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia. With the invitation of Fr. Brett Brenman, he was posted to St. Joseph’s Parish in Augusta, Georgia to study under the supervision of Fr. John Lyonns. Fr. Chidi attended St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe Pennsylvania for his theological studies. In May 2004, he graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Systematic Theology with Magna Cum Lauda. That same month and year, Fr. Chidi was ordained a Deacon of the Holy Roman Catholic Church at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah, Georgia. Immediately after his diaconate ordination, he enrolled for another Master’s Degree in Divinities at St. Vincent Seminary. He graduated in May 2005 with Summa Cum Lauda, at the same time winning the Omer U.Kline, OSB Homiletics Award.

PRIESTLY ORDINATION

The year 2005 marked a watershed in the life of Rev. Fr. Chidi Ezennia Osondu. He was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church on June 4, 2005, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah by his Lordship, Most Rev. J. Kevin Boland, the Catholic Bishop of Savannah, Georgia. His first mass as a priest at St. Joseph’s Parish, Augusta Georgia was exceptional and marked the start of his priestly life of sacrifice.

PASTORAL WORK

Rev. Fr. Chidi Ezennia started his pastoral assignment with St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus, Georgia. In 2006, he was transferred to St. James Parish, Savannah Georgia. He was at St. James until 2008 when he went to pursue his Doctorate degree in Moral Theology at Philosophisch Theologische Hochehule Vallendar, Germany. Fr. Chidi could not complete his Doctoral degree before death knocked at his door on November 14, 2010.

INTER-PERSONAL LIFE

Late Fr. Chidi had a pleasant personality and had no challenges in establishing a convivial relationship with those he came across during his lifetime.  He was everybody’s friend – both old and young. There was never a dull moment with him. He had a wonderful sense of humour that endeared many to him. Everybody that encountered him can attest to the fact that he was someone you would want to meet again.

CHIDI EZENNIA– A WRITER, SINGER AND A GIFT TO HUMANITY

Late Fr. Chidi was a man of great capabilities – he was a prolific writer, music composer, and singer. Some of his books include:

• Because of You: A call to Authentic Personal Friendship (1997)
• Arise O! Compatriots! An open letter to all Nigerians (1998)
• Receive the Holy Spirit: The Nuclear Energy of the Church (1999)
• Mother Africa! (A Poem) (2001)
• A Journey to Reconciliation (unpublished)
• The Search for Identity: The Four Major Questions of Life (unpublished)
• God’s Soft Hands in Thorny Gloves (Fr. Chidi wrote this book on his sickbed and the family helped to publish it in 2011 and released it on his one-year remembrance in 2011)

SPIRITUALITY

Fr. Chidi’s spirituality was based on total submission to the will of God. He was a man of great faith. On his sickbed and when death was drawing near, he began writing another book entitled, “God’s Soft Hands in Thorny Gloves.” The Book, with three Chapters written before his death, revealed Fr. Chidi’s great trust in God, even in difficult and “hopeless” times.  Fr. Chidi believed God was there soothing his pains. Even when his relatives and sibling showed signs of breaking down because of his worsening health condition, he encouraged them with these words, “Ndi eluigwe mazu ihe nile; onweghi ihe gbara ha ghari” (Heaven knows all things; nothing confounds them).

HIS DEATH

Fr. Chidi Ezennia Osondu died on the 14th of November 2010 after a brief illness. He was in Nigeria on a summer holiday when he was diagnosed with kidney failure. He decided to visit Apollo Hospital in India to ascertain the true condition of his kidney and afterward seek the best way to treat himself. Fr. Chidi never returned from India alive. He died at the age of 37. Although he accomplished a lot at his age, it was a short life for a man that has given all he has to humanity. He spent only five years as a Priest. Fr. Chidi Ezennia’s death was a big blow to his diocese, his family, friends, relatives, and the children he promised to be there for especially through his organisation, VOICE OF CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL. Fr. Chidi was a quintessential altruist and an extraordinary priest that touched the lives of many and left indelible marks.