About Us
Who We Are
OneAgape – Sport Education is a non-profit association founded in 2011 and registered in Liechtenstein, which aims to improve the living conditions of those in need. The board, consisting of former professional footballers and Liechtenstein national players Ronny Büchel, Fabio D’Elia and Andreas Gerster, as well as environmental engineer Simon Nusch and architect Stefan Thanei, won a prize with this idea at the 1st Ideenkanal.
The association is also supported by a broad network of friends and helpers. OneAgape is very proud of the diversity of its members from many different countries. Previous projects were mainly financed through the successful event series “Celebrating for a Good Cause”. Meanwhile, foundations, private donors, and companies from Liechtenstein and the region have also become financial pillars of OneAgape.
The focus on Nigeria arose from the good friendship between Andreas Gerster and Nigerian Philip Obhafuoso, who played together at FC Vaduz.
Due to many injuries, Philip was not destined for the football career he had dreamed of in his youth. While Liechtenstein, with its diversified economy, offers many opportunities for professional reorientation, this is much more difficult in Nigeria due to poverty, violence, corruption, inadequate education and economic systems, and other factors. Philip Obhafuoso had dropped out of school on the advice of his then-advisor to concentrate on football. Due to injuries, he was left without a career and without education…
Organization
Team
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Philip Obhafuoso
Founder / Project Manager
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Andreas Gerster
Founder / Project Manager / Fundraising
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Peter Obhafuoso
Project Manager
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GüRsel Karatepe
Fundraising
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Pedro Obhafuoso
Project Manager
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Alessandro Corvaglia
Fundraising
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Sunday Harrison
Special Advisor
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Ronny BüChel
Board Member
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Joshua Igoh
Football Coach
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Jonathan Bitrus
Football Coach
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Sunday Kalunga
Football Coach
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Stefan Thanei
Board Member
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Fabio D’Elia
Board Member
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Simon Nusch
Board Member
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Team Liechtenstein
About Nigeria
Since the late 1950s, Nigeria has been exporting oil and now ranks among the ten largest oil exporting countries due to its vast reserves. Despite the enormous revenues, the West African country is marked by extreme poverty, as the local population hardly benefits from the oil business. According to World Bank data, about 109 million (40%) Nigerians live in extreme poverty, while 133 million Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor. The Bank estimates that in 2023, more than 9 million Nigerians have been pushed into poverty due to rising prices.
Nearly 15 percent of the population is permanently and severely undernourished. 87 million Nigerians live on less than $2 a day. The average life expectancy is only 53 years. Child mortality among children under five is 10 percent. An improvement in the economic and social situation is not in sight, partly due to poor educational opportunities. Over a third of Nigerians are illiterate. In rural areas, the number is even higher. Almost half of the population is still underage, but less than two-thirds of school-age children attend school regularly. This is mainly due to high registration and school fees, as well as expenses for teaching materials and the cost of mandatory school uniforms. With their low income, many families cannot afford their children’s education, which in turn sustainably impairs the children’s prospects.
OneAgapeLabel
What began in 2012 with a table (50 cm x 50 cm) and believe it or not, just one distributed OneAgape brochure (see ‘Timeline’ for details), has now become an indispensable part of Liechtenstein’s National Day! The bar has now grown to 12 meters, among other things, 1,600 liters of beer are sold, +/- 15 helpers are on board, and we count (without being presumptuous) as one of the last party hotspots on August 15!
Why do we do this? Because we don’t want to simply send payment slips to private households to get their money! The “donors” should get something in return if they give money to OneAgape – we prefer this way of extracting money from their pockets instead of sending boring and annoying donation letters.
And how can you do that better than with good music and delicious drinks at fair prices (there have been no price increases since the beginning in 2013)? Fortunately, we haven’t found an answer to that yet…
In the future, we want to organize more events / small festivals in Liechtenstein – outside of the Prince’s Festival.
Do you have a party in mind?
And would you like to do something good at the same time? We will find an exciting solution together – promised!
Do You Need a DJ?
President Andreas Gerster, also known as DJ AGAPE, has a passion -> music! For birthday parties, weddings, corporate events, etc., he always has the right tracks packed – especially in the genres of Reggae, Rock,
Hip Hop, Afrobeats and 70’s music, his pulse races! At least 10% of his fee always goes to OneAgape – Sport Education.
Timeline
To the Beginnings2024
Januar
Packing Suitcases
Finally, the security situation in Nigeria allows travel there again. Gürsel Karatepe decides to accompany Andreas – it turned out to be a very successful trip! Packed in their luggage: the ideal plot for the OneAgapeArea.
2023
Kickoff “OneAgapeArea”
The planning phase for the OneAgapeArea is in full swing. School costs are being covered for 15 children and young people. Existing small businesses are being supported with small financial boosts. Purchase of a OneAgapeCar (Toyota Camry with 160,000 km – runs like a charm) – Peter can use it to bridge the time until the planned OneAgapeArea project is up and running, earning his own money as an UBER driver. He continues to attend various training courses to be ready for the OneAgapeArea.
Once again, we’re giving it our all on the national holiday – the official start of the folk festival would be at 2:00 PM. Already at 1:00 PM, we’re overrun by thirsty guests, something that’s never happened before… The celebration, dancing, and laughter continue until the police hour at 2:00 AM – with hanging heads, it’s finally accepted that we have to clear the field – if it were up to us, we’d continue until dawn…
2022
Step by Step
Covering the hospital costs for a child who would have died without treatment. Faith is now completely healthy again, and we are glad to have contributed an important part. Training of 14 seamstresses and tailors in Lagos, including sponsoring of sewing machines. “Tools” (scissors, hair clippers, etc.) were purchased for 4 hairdressers.
Completion of Peter’s training as an environmental engineer and solar technician with the highest grade in the entire university.
Our party at the Prince’s Festival could finally take place again, and the guests are getting thirstier – > Among other things, 1,600 liters of beer are now being sold!
2021
Nigeria vs. Corona
Corona has hit Nigeria hard, vaccinated or not vaccinated – this question was not asked by anyone there. The consequences that followed are severe – the country is plunging into an absolute humanitarian crisis and violence has increased!
Setting up market stalls for widows / Opening of another hair salon / 20 sewing machines were distributed and intensive training was financed for the seamstresses and tailors / 20 local farmers were supported (purchase of seeds and tools)
Unfortunately, the bar remained closed this year as well, due to Corona.
2020
No Party – but We’re Moving Forward!
Corona is also throwing a wrench in OneAgape’s plans. A planned trip to Nigeria has to be cancelled. Nevertheless, Corona is opening up new avenues for us – among others, through the support of the “Federal Department of Foreign Affairs”, a Corona Emergency Aid Project is being implemented (including distribution of urgently needed medicines / purchase and distribution of food (rice sacks) to orphanages, etc.)
The national holiday falls victim to Corona and the beer remains in the barrels.
2019
Showcase Project in South Africa
Opening of a fashion design store including a sewing workshop. The owner has been specifically trained for this over the past few years. The opening of an interior decoration store was also added. Andreas visits a social showcase project in the field of football & education in the middle of Cape Town’s townships (AMANDLA) and takes many valuable ideas / experiences home for the future.
The bar remains at 12 meters, meanwhile 15 people are helping out and a “Beerjet” is needed (filling 6 large beer mugs in 10 seconds)! Without this auxiliary device, we would definitely be lost… Last year’s “competition” asks us before the festival if we want to set up something together… This time we politely decline….
2018
OneAgape Takes New Paths
Purchase of a plot of land and start of ecological farming. Meanwhile, school costs are covered for 15 children.
The bar grows to 12 meters and the sound system becomes larger and more powerful. Across from us, we get ‘competition’ – a stand that aims to attract the crème de la crème. A polite request from us in the afternoon, asking if they could turn their sound boxes towards themselves (instead of directly in our direction) is rejected. At 9:00 PM, the tents across from us are taken down due to lack of customers – we continue for a few more hours and achieve a new record (net profit: +/- CHF 11,000.00).
2017
OneAgapeSportsBar
Opening of the OneAgapeSportsBar in Nigeria. Philip manages the bar and provides employment for 4 additional people. The location is so cool that a Nigerian musician shoots his music video there.
Commencement of Peter’s training (Environmental Engineer / Solar Technician)
The bar at the Prince’s Festival expands to 10 meters… Slowly but surely, we have arrived…
2016
OneAgapeFootballAcademy
The OneAgapeFootballAcademy is officially established – 50 children and young people are now on the football field almost daily, and they participate in regional championships. The head coach is, of course, Philip, supported by other experienced coaches.
The bar at the Prince’s Festival remains at 7.5 meters for now… The revenue increases again compared to the previous year!
2015
Cover School Costs
OneAgape covers the school costs for 10 children and purchases 30 solar lamps for orphanages, small businesses, and schools.
The bar now measures 7.5 meters, the income is around CHF 6,000.00, and the number of visitors keeps increasing… The decibel level measured on the dance floor shows 125 dB in the evening…
2014
Progress is Being Made
More Projects to Follow (Hair Salon, Tailoring Shop).
The bar on the national holiday has now reached a size of 5 meters. The income from this day amounts to approximately CHF 3,000.00.
2013
First Bar @ Prince’s Festival
For the first time, OneAgape has its own stand at the state holiday. The bar is 2.5 meters long and weighs +/- 150 kg. The first drinks are sold and at the end, +/- CHF 1,000.00 is taken in.
The first projects are implemented in Nigeria -> Start of small businesses (tailoring, carpentry, beauty salon).
2012
First Time @ Prince’s Festival
OneAgape is participating for the first time in the National Day celebrations. Equipped with a few OneAgape brochures, he secured a table next to the stand of the “Morgenland” association. After two hours, it was already over as a storm approached, and the tent and table were no longer in their original location. Only one brochure was distributed…
2011
Founding of the Association
The association OneAgape – Sport Education is founded, and with the gained confidence (through winning the “Ideenkanal”) and the prize money received, Andreas travels to Nigeria for the first time, together with his two friends Stefan Thanei and Simon Nusch.
2010
Ideas Channel “Football School in Nigeria”
For the first time, the idea that emerged during many evenings (at Philip’s home) during their time together at FC Vaduz becomes more concrete. Andreas musters up the courage and signs up for the first “Ideas Channel”. In front of quite a few listeners, he has to convince those present of his idea (football school in Nigeria) within one minute. Fortunately, he succeeds and becomes one of the first five winners of the “Ideas Channel”. For two days, experts from various fields discuss, restructure, and plan…
2007-2009
Monthly Support
Monthly, money from Liechtenstein (donated by Andreas’ friends and family) is transferred to Philip – the concept of sustainability is not yet a familiar term for those involved.
2006
Stay in Touch
Philip and Andreas stay in contact – Philip’s savings are slowly running out, and he no longer earns any income in Nigeria. The only thing he had learned was playing football. For the first time, on Andreas’ initiative, money is being collected to support Philip.
2005
Dream Shattered
The house of cards that Philip had worked hard to build and establish collapses – due to various severe injuries (including two cruciate ligament tears), Philip does not receive a new contract and is forced to return home (Nigeria) – without any real prospects for the future.
2004
Hope for Philip
FC Vaduz once again achieves a top position in the Swiss NLB and narrowly misses promotion to the NLA. The chances are very good that Philip will soon be signed by a club from a European top league!
2003
Fan Favorite
Philip becomes a fan favorite – earned through his diligence, ambition, discipline, and, of course, absolute quality! Together with Fabio D’Elia, Ronny Büchel, Michele Polverino, and Andreas Gerster, he celebrates the NLB championship!
2002
Training Kickoff at FC Vaduz
Andreas Gerster unexpectedly enters the locker room and warmly greets the new player Philip Obhafuoso (freshly transferred from FC Winterthur). At this point, neither of them knew what a special friendship would develop!
