What do you get when a blind and physically disabled individual and the pandemic cross paths? You get hope and healing through Unite in Love.
I am Dr. Shirley Cheng, a blind and physically disabled humanitarian, award-winning author, ordained minister, chaplain, motivational speaker, and Bible teacher who has served over sixty families and individuals in eight countries since the pandemic, and ran a successful campaign that enabled a young man to graduate from the alma mater of the Nobel Prize laureate, Wole Soyinka, and Dr. Philip O. Ozuah, the president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, of the Montefiore Health System in New York. Through my personal struggles and triumph, I know how important it is to have people who truly care about you to root you on, to bring you hope, and make you feel loved. So I turned my experiences outward, to bring the love of Christ and his people to others.
On May 21, 2020, I founded Unite in Love after hearing my own students and brethren going to bed on an empty stomach or on the brink of losing their home due to the pandemic lockdowns. One of my brothers in Christ said, “Hunger is bad -- worse than the coronavirus.” It was painful to hear, and it moved me to action.
There is power in love and strength in number. When we put these together -- when we unite in love -- we live up to our humanity. Thus, Unite in Love was born.
Since I've founded it in May 2020, Unite in Love has been privileged to serve over sixty families and several individuals in eight countries. It provides emergency funds to those who are left to fend for themselves, in countries where there’s no government assistance, unemployment benefit or food banks. It has covered food, including seeds and fertilizers for home farming; rent, life-saving medical care and medical equipment including a new wheelchair, business startups, and education that has helped to keep a medical student in college. It has prevented the eviction of several families with young children. It has also funded the hut construction for a single mom and her kids to keep a roof over their heads, along with a rain-harvesting tank system so they can have drinking water. Unite in Love has expanded its coverage past pandemic-related needs.
100% of donations go directly to every person in need because there’s no overhead costs, and every "love gift" makes a significant impact.
It’s estimated that in 2020, malaria took the precious lives of 627,000 people, but a love gift of $10-$15 can save a person’s life which is the average cost to treat this easily treatable disease. Indeed, a love gift can be a true life saver.
Thanks from Families and Students for Unite in Love's Fifth Anniversary:
"Without a doubt and gainsaying, I'm convinced that I'm one of the many people God had in mind when He inspired Dr. Shirley Cheng to start Unite in Love. So, I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Shirley Cheng and all her donors, near and far, because I am one of the major beneficiaries of your generosity.
"To mention just a few - among others: Through Unite in Love, I was able to complete my university education with significantly less financial stress. From my third year until my final day at university, Unite in Love provided crucial support by helping with school fees, hostel rent, and daily expenses. They even provided a laptop for my final-year thesis. Their assistance wasn't limited to me alone; it extended to many others as well.
"Thanks to Unite in Love, I was also able to pay it forward by sharing my daily food with those who didn't have enough to eat, and I even accommodated a few students in my hostel until they could secure their own accommodation. Unite in Love’s support went beyond my time at university; they also helped with my graduation ceremony and the collection of my certificate. I'm not sure how my university journey would have unfolded without the help of Unite in Love and its donors.
"Unite in Love became an integral part of my life’s journey and success story, and I'll always be grateful for the impact they've had on my life. The assistance I've received has inspired me to aspire to be a source of help and hope for thousands of people in the future. Thank you, Dr. Shirley Cheng, for founding Unite in Love. May God bless you abundantly. To all the donors of Unite in Love, thank you for making this possible. May the Lord bless you and reward your labor of love. I'm truly grateful for all that you've done."
-Elijah, Nigeria
"I'm Hariganesh Paramasivam, living with disability and many life challenges. But every time I hit rock bottom - for food, rent, or survival - God lifted me up through the help of Sister Shirley Cheng, a true daughter of Jesus. This is more than kindness... it’s divine love in action.
"In my darkest hours, when even survival seemed impossible, Sister Shirley Cheng was God’s answer to my prayers. Her love and help came not just from her hands, but directly from the heart of Jesus. I'm forever grateful.
"When both my legs failed me, God sent me someone who never did. Many times, in hunger and fear, I didn't know how I would make it to tomorrow. But Jesus always found a way - and He often chose Sister Shirley Cheng to be that miracle, a vessel of God's grace during my hardest days. Her selfless help has been a living testimony of God's mercy in my life. Thank you, Sister Shirley Cheng - your kindness proves that God still walks the earth through people like you."
-Hariganesh, father to two, India
"Hi everyone, I am from Pakistan. My name is Qaim and I am a social worker. I am very thankful to sister Shirley and her ministry for helping many families for five years in food, in house rent and in medical care such as medicine. Sister, we are again thankful to you and your ministry and also thankful to donors."
-Qaim, Pakistan
"Greetings. I'm Faith a single mother from Nigeria West Africa. I became a single mother in 2019 when I was pregnant with my third baby and my ex husband left my two daughters and me with 8 months pregnancy.
"I met sister Shirley in 2020 on Facebook and I shared my story with her and she included my children and me in her ministry project and have been helping us greatly.
"Through this ministry we could feed, pay our rent, pay the school fees of my 3 daughters. And through this ministry I was able to open a snacks business and also pay rent of my business place.
"I'm deeply grateful to all the wonderful donors for your generosity and kindness because without you all honestly we won't be where we are today. Thank you all so much and may God Almighty continue to repay and bless you richly in Jesus name, amen.
"And also sister Shirley thank you so much for your kind efforts and support. God bless you abundantly in Jesus name, amen."
-Faith, mother to three, Nigeria
"Unite in Love since it was founded has helped me personally and my family in times of sickness, and at times when we don't have what to eat. My wife has had fractures of her legs and it's only Unite in Love that helps with her medical bills and transportation for checkups. Many widows and less privileged families have benefited from Unite in Love. We pray for the Lord to give Shirley good health and her donors to keep helping us. Peace be upon Unite in Love always."
-Robert, father to five, Kenya
"Words cannot fully express the depth of my gratitude to you my sponsors and pillars of support as I journey through my medical career, studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria.
"There were times when the road felt unbearably tough, moments when I feared I might have to give up on this dream. But your unwavering support, love, and belief in me have kept me going. Without your help, I honestly don't know how I would have continued. You gave me hope when all seemed lost, and strength when I felt weak.
"To Sister Shirley, Uncle Dave, and every wonderful soul in Unite in Love, thank you for standing by me. Thank you for choosing to invest in my future. Knowing that people like you are rooting for me gives me the courage to keep pressing forward, even on the hardest days. I still have a few years to finish up with my MBBS program and be certified as a medical Doctor.
"It is my deepest wish to succeed not just for myself but so that I too, can be a source of help and hope to others, just as you have been to me. One day, I hope to give back to the world just like you did for me.
"From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you for being a part of my journey. I carry your love and support with me every step of the way.
"With sincere gratitude, Gideon"
-Gideon, Nigeria
"As Unite in Love will be turning 5, I am humbled to have been part of the journey. I am so much grateful to sister Shirley and the donors of this wonderful project that has so far planted immense hope on the faces of a multitude worldwide. Personally as Marcy, I am very grateful the Lord has worked miracles upon our lives in ways we can hardly tell and he used Unite in Love as a vessel. Through this, most of my needs have been met seamlessly ranging from medical emergencies, educational needs of my kids and also those of my special kids (I call them special because God chose them for me, that I would be a good mother to them when they so needed the mother figure in their lives and God has journeyed with us this far). Unite in Love has equally provided us with food for our physical well- being that we would never go on an empty stomach, provided a roof over our heads and now we have a place we call home without constantly facing eviction over late rent, provided us with seeds to plant that we are now looking forward to a bountiful harvest when time comes. I can say this far, it has taken the hand of the Lord and in our utmost humility, I am grateful.
"Unite in Love has equally come through for my friend Mildred in various ways, paying her rent dues, medical emergencies as well as providing for her meals. We have witnessed the glory of the Lord and he has constantly lifted us when no one could. My special gratitude to sister Shirley, sister Debbie and sister Suzette; you have been God-sent and how I pray that when the Lord will be touching and blessing his people, may he bless you ten- fold, that your cups may overflow with abundance of the Lord. I pray that one day God may grant me the chance to pay this kindness forward...until then, may God keep you safe and away from the devil's snares that together we may live to testify of the goodness of the Lord. Thank you."
-Marcy, mother to three and two other special kids, Kenya
"Greetings to all partners of Unite in Love ministry. My name is Christopher. I met Dr. Shirley and Unite in Love at a time when life was really hard, having with me several children I look after who fall sick regularly and same time at some moments it gets hard to feed them but Unite in Love occasionally sends us some help in times we're in real need. Much happiness and joy. God bless all partners of Unite in Love. God bless Dr. Shirley for a great vision to stand and help out."
-Chris, father to four, Uganda
"Hello everyone, I am a mother of four. My name is Bernice, and am from Nigeria.
"I am so grateful to all the donors, sister Shirley and to all my supporters from Unite in Love. May God Almighty reward you all greatly.
"I appreciate how you all have been helping my children and me in the areas of my children's education, my business, our food and medications.
"I pray God's Favor, Mercy and Grace never depart from sister Shirley Cheng and all the donors in Jesus name."
-Bernice, mother to four, Nigeria
About the Founder of Unite in Love
Dr. Shirley Cheng is a blind and physically disabled ordained deacon and Kingdom minister, licensed chaplain, award-winning author of ten books with twenty-seven book awards, Bible teacher and founder of www.Ultra-Ability.com Ministry, motivational speaker, poet, a contributor to over twenty-five books, and an editor of one. Due to years of hospitalization, she received no schooling until age eleven. Back then, she barely knew English but after about 180 days of attendance in a special education class in elementary school, she mastered grade level and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. She was a top student, earning "Student of the Year" in sixth grade, "Student of the Month" in seventh grade, and received an excellence award for earning the highest grade of 97 in Earth science in eighth grade. She's also a three-time winner of the National Reflections Program in the visual arts. Her high school GPA is 3.9 (97) with no advanced placement factors. After she lost her eyesight at age seventeen, Dr. Cheng had to complete chemistry by balancing long chemistry formulas and equations in her head, and earned a high school equivalency diploma. She took the entire GED test, including mathematical calculations, graphs, and an essay, without Braille or vision. She received a special recognition award for scoring an exceptional 3280 on the GED test. She became an author at age twenty, completing three books within the first year.
Since 2011, Dr. Cheng has been teaching the Bible in depth one-on-one to students from around the world; she has written five volumes of expository lessons and tests in seven years. She maintains her own author website at www.ShirleyCheng.com and self-published her books, designing and formatting her manuscripts on her own. She uses the screen-reading software Jaws which reads computer text and tells her which keys she types, which she does with only her index fingers.
Follow Dr. Cheng at www.facebook.com/drshirleycheng
Unite in Love has supported the following families, among others.
1) Perveen and her eleven children--four daughters and seven sons--live in a rented house in Pakistan. Her husband passed away two years ago due to hepatitis c and liver cancer. One of her sons in his early twenties was working in a factory before this pandemic stripped him of his job. The family is facing a lot of problems as hunger and house rent mount.
2) Obonyo is a 90-year-old gentleman in Kenya, with six adult children--one daughter and five sons--the eldest is 65 and the youngest 38. They all suffer from the disease known as elephantiasis and thus cannot work and the children have never gotten married. They have been assisted by the "well wishers" in their community but the pandemic has stripped much of their assistance as many of them have lost jobs. Consequently, the family is lacking food and money for medical care. Their community has managed to raise funds to buy a wheelchair for Obonyo, but he and his family still need support to cover their daily bread.
3) Some days, Enibe Shemuel with his wife, Esther,and their eleven-month-old baby boy whom Esther is still nursing, go with little or no food. Their region in Nigeria has been negatively affected by the pandemic, as Shemuel noted that it has caused an economic stalemate for several months, making it difficult for the family and many others to make ends meet.
4) Susana Johnson from Liberia lives in a bad conditioned zinc round (a house built out of old tin sheeting) and hardly gets a meal a day. She has only a son who helps her, but he cannot do much as he is just a store boy (someone in a shop who packs and arranges goods and brings them out to the customer) who makes $80 a month and has his wife and two children to take care of. Susana used to get some support from community members especially for her medical needs, but now many community members have lost their jobs and businesses during this Covid-19 pandemic, so life is very difficult for Susana because her helpers are in need, too.
5) I'm Faith from Nigeria, a single mother of three girls, aged five, three and a one-year-old baby whom I'm nursing. My husband abandoned us for over a year now, when I was pregnant with my third daughter. Ever since then life has been unbearable for me and my kids. I was blessed to have a group of wonderful brethren; they help me from my childbirth until the pandemic. When I thought all hope was lost, I met Dr. Shirley Cheng; she's like an angel sent by God. She has been the one feeding me and my daughters. All we need is food and cooking gas, and our house rent will expire on December 22, 2020. Our rent is 2,500 Naira/month (less than $7). Please help me and my kids before we become homeless.
6) Faqeer Mohd is a gentleman from Pakistan who has lost both of his legs from the knee due to diabetes. He is married with two children. Due to the pandemic, his family is struggling to survive. He is receiving a bit of support from brethren who themselves are struggling in this crisis.
7) Gulistaan is a widow and mother of five children in Pakistan. Her husband passed away in early 2020 from liver cancer. Her oldest son, age sixteen, is the family's sole breadwinner as a worker in a clothing factory, but due to the lockdown, he couldn't work to support his family as the factory shut down. For months they haven't been able to pay their rent and are in need of food.
8) Martha Sackie of Liberia lost her husband years ago during the ebola outbreak. She is left with their three boys: Moses, Joe and Alocious. She used to wash dishes at a restaurant but because of the lockdown she is unable to work, leaving them without money for food.
9) Praise the Lord, beloved! I appreciate all the brethren who have sacrificially stood with me and my family during this pandemic through Dr. Shirley Cheng (Unite in Love fundraiser).
I'm Pastor Christopher from Uganda, a husband to my dear wife Peace Glorious and a father to five children. During this covid-19 pandemic, we were evicted from the house in which we had lived since 2009, because paying rent and feeding has been so difficult for us since the churches were closed for months. Now the government has eased on the lockdown by reopening some businesses and churches but the attendance is very poor.
Please, brethren, I'm hereby requesting your prayers and support through this hard time so that we may have food to eat, pay our house rent and school fees. God miraculously gave us a house but it needs a lot of work before we can move in and stop needing to pay rent, as it's not yet roofed, shuttered, and needs power connection, etc.
May God bless you all for your unceasing support for the needy!
"For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in." (Matthew 25:35, WEB)
10) My name is Geoffrey Osiemo Nyakeyo from Kenya, a born again Christian. I'm married and blessed with two children, Franklin and Michelle, as well as seven adopted children, Stephen, James, Ruth, Mary, Damacline, and Faith and Darimas who are brother and sister. I was working in a restaurant which I was depending on for feeding them, but now since there is no work, it has become so hard for me to meet all the basic needs of all my children. I pray and believe that God will provide. Amen.
After the pandemic started I have been feeding my family as well as my children's ministry through the money that was raised by sister Shirley through Unite in Love. It is not over--we still need your help as the coronavirus has not gone away. May God bless Unite in Love more so many that God uses will continue to make our family smile. Amen. Be blessed all.
11) Qaim's brother, Saleem, who has diabetes and the sole supporter of his large family of twelve, including nine children, and his sister, Shahida, who has hepatitis C, with her husband, who had kidney-stone surgery in 2019, with their seven kids, all are going through hardships in Pakistan.
12) Teresa, 69, lives in Kenya with her daughter and four grandsons after her husband passed away from covid-19. Her daughter, whose husband died years ago in a car accident, worked at a floral shop but lost her job due to the pandemic, so the family is in need of support for daily necessities.
13) Jackline, age 38, divorced, lives in Kenya with her three children and grandmother who is 116 years old. For a living, she used to wash clothes for people before the pandemic struck; the lockdown has forced the family to depend on begging for survival.
14) Jani lives with his wife and two children in Pakistan. He worked in a factory until the lockdown forced him out of work. Even though the lockdown has eased, he still has no employer but depends on anyone calling him up for house repair, which does not happen often in this pandemic, so his family continues to struggle meeting their daily necessities.
15) My name is Sunday Tersen from Nigeria and I stay with my mother, Veronica, and younger brother, Stephen. I worked as a math teacher in a small primary school. Mother, who's old and unemployed, is sick now and we are in need of food and money for medicine.
16) Junaid from Pakistan lives with his mother, two sisters and three brothers; his father passed away years ago. He was working in a cotton factory before his job got terminated by the lockdown. Some months ago, heavy rain and flooding destroyed his house in the village, and then a bike accident injured him, fracturing his hands. At this time, being the breadwinner and yet unemployed, Junaid and his family are facing a lot of problems and in need of assistance for their daily bread.
17) Muneer of Pakistan lives with his wife and four children in a rented house. He was a patient of tuberculosis, and although he's tested negative for it now, he's been ill for months and unable to work at his barber shop. He has no money to see a specialist for a diagnosis. His monthly rent is 5,500 PKR (about $33).
18) Josephine Okemwa, 25, lost both of her parents five years ago and lives with a relative in Kenya. In order to walk, she requires the aid of canes. She would appreciate any support to meet her basic needs and daily bread.
19) Raeesa and her husband from Pakistan share both joy and sorrow as a couple--joy, for they are expecting their first child; and sorrow, for they are facing mounting challenges. Raeesa is a patient of epilepsy and lost her father years ago. Her husband worked as a table cleaner in a hotel but lost his job due to the pandemic. Additionally, he has a very frail health that keeps him from working at the moment. They are three months behind on their house rent and their landlord has threatened to evict them if they cannot pay up. Their monthly rent is 5,000 PKR, which is about $31.65. Any support with their daily bread and/or rent will be much appreciated.
20) Joseph, 47, lives with his wife and six children in Kenya. Half a year ago, he suffered a stroke, stripping him of full mobility. He uses walking staffs, and his wife stays home caring for him. Prior to the pandemic, he was the breadwinner, working as a security guard. Now the family needs support for daily necessity, along with a wheelchair, which costs between 15,000 and 20,000 KES (about $145-$192).
21) Florence, 66, of Kenya, a widow of about twenty years, was left destitute when her only son and child passed away in August 2020 from covid-19. She lives with the five children he left behind (his wife had also passed away years ago) in a rental with one room. Their monthly rent is 2,600 KES (about $26) not including electricity, which is 800 KES/month. Additionally, they need assistance with daily bread.
22) Life has been hard for Kousar of Pakistan after her husband left her and their four young children, ages from two to eight, in 2020. She works as a cleaning lady at people's homes. She's struggling to pay rent and put food on the table. Her monthly rent is 4,000 PKR (about $26.32).
23) My name is Hariganesh from India. I'm married and blessed with two children, Reshmaa and Pravin. I lost the use of my legs due to polio at the age of five months, and at the age of 22, I was reattacked by polio--it's called post polio syndrome. Now my age is 33. Ever since then, I can't move even with halifer or crutches, only moving by crawling and using a wheelchair, and I feel pain every day. My wife is also physically disabled; she can barely walk with little balance and has heart disease with low pulse. I lost my mother 6 years ago. My father, who's 71, is my only support in regard to my daily, physical needs. I can't manage to feed my family. The government provides no support in this critical time. I'm the only source of income in my family. I'm a writer so I don't have a permanent or regular income.
24) My name is Marcy from Kenya. I am a mother of two boys, 7 and 5 years old. I am currently expecting my third, due on the 13th next month. We became homeless when my ex-husband threw us out of the house and brought in a new wife. I was forced to seek refuge with a friend who accepted to host us for a month. So far, we have gone way too far from the time we agreed upon and I feel like I am not doing any justice to my host. My humble plea is to at least find someone who would bless us with a roof over our heads. A single room goes for ksh 4500 (about $42) ( iron-sheet walled room) per month while a concrete walled single room goes for ksh 5500 (about $52), with a security deposit of the same amount for both. My unending appreciation to sister Shirley together with all the donors of this great foundation and I pray for God's blessings in abundance. Gracious.
25) This is a three-generation family of ten from Liberia. Wachen lives with her mother and both of her sisters, along with her and her sisters' children. As the breadwinner of her family, Wachen sells vegetables at the market but is struggling to make ends meet.
100% of donations are distributed to everyone according to their needs.
"There is strength in number; there is power in love. When we unite in love, we can achieve common good for society. I believe that when we have the resources and ability to act, we should act. As one individual, I can do only so much. I therefore hope that our community will stand with me to provide assistance where it's most needed," says Dr. Cheng.
Listen to the podcast "Adapting with Blind Minister Shirley Cheng" with host Alex Garrett where Dr. Cheng spoke of her life, ministry and purpose:
To learn more about Dr. Cheng, visit http://www.ShirleyCheng.com
Follow Dr. Cheng at http://www.facebook.com/drshirleycheng
