Chibuike Victor is a highly talented young man from the city of Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria. He needs your help!

We invite you to both read his story and to contribute to this fund so that he can continue to study in a safe and nurturing environment. If you assist with transaction fees, all of the funds will go directly to Raising Arts, a consulting service located in Indiana, PA, with 100% of funds offered supporting Chibuike's needs in his musical pursuits.

All the Latest News!

As of September 2024, he is enrolled on a full scholarship at MUSON School of Music in Lagos, Nigeria, and currently in his third semester there. And on February 17, 2025, he gave his first solo recital at the school. In April 2025 he was accepted as a music major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. New procedures from the U.S. State Department has delayed his entry into the U.S. difficult but have hopes he will finally start at IUP January 2026.

Those managing the funds and continuing to support him in his professional and educational pursuits—Michael Kevin Jones, cello; Grace Tin-Yen Christus, composer and theory teacher; and Hank Knerr, arts consultant (Raising Arts)—are all providing services without compensation. This team is also supported by Kay Smith and Joyce Sharman, both highly active members of the Indiana community. Knerr has fully committed to underwriting his educational and living expenses while seeking support from others to offset that expense.

We believe in this talented young man and the need to expand the professional possibilities for him. Here's a new video just posted October 11, 2025.

Go Above and Beyond

Recurring donations every month or quarter provide us with predictability for anticipated future needs. And at $1,000 (or foreign currency equivalent) or more, you will receive a personalized thank you video from Chibuike.

Here's Chibuike's Full Story

... how it all started ... about his talent and his beloved but perilous home town ... financial needs .. life goals ... news blog ... and more ...

"Next to my family, my greatest love is the music. My greatest fear is my parents leaving this world without enjoying what they have always expected me to be."
– Chibuike Victor, January 2024

A Crucial Second Round: Outstanding Needs

In this current round of fund raising, because of your great generosity, many of the outstanding needs have been met but funds are still needed.

COMING UP
- Funds to cover Indiana University of Pennsylvania tuition and related fees starting January 2026, including health and insurance costs, materials, food and lodging, transportation, student fees, and more
- Travel to U.S. to start schooling, now anticipated for spring semester 2026, all depending on timing of the visa interview process
- Continued living and medical expenses plus school supplies and fees at while he remains at Muson.

CONTINUING
- General support for minimal day-to-day living expenses, through December 2025, including food
- Additional internet data to continue communication and facilitate daily learning
- Lodging in Lagos
- Medical emergency fund (National Healthcare in Nigeria is not fully in place at this time)

COMPLETED
- Expenses covering travel to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in early 2024 for auditions and testing
- Expenses covering travel this summer, 2024, to Muson for an invitational recital of promising students
- A digital pad for distance learning provided by a committed anonymous donor
- Travel/lodging to Lagos, Nigeria, to attend his final scholarship auditions at Muson School of Music
- Supplies, books, and materials to begin his first semester at Muson, September 2024
- Concert wear including two suit, dress shirts, and ties, plus a suitcase
- An upgraded mobile phone to replace a broken used phone
- A travel case for his cello, which was secured thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor
- Laptop supporting his studies with case and tabletop stand donated by an Indiana, PA, church congregation
- Costs related to applying for his Nigerian passport and other substantial expenses for a possible U.S. student visa and related travel
- Expenses related to a recital set for 17 February 2025
- Travel and lodging expenses for his parents, oldest brother, and a close cousin to see him perform for the first time in his recital
- Application fees for Indiana University of Pennsylvania along with other fees related to obtaining his F-1 Student Visa to study in the U.S.
- Covering expenses for his travel to Abuja, Nigeria, to interview July 8 for his F-1 Student Visa.
- Travel back to Lagos to begin fall semester 2025 at Muson

Previous Needs and Prior Donors

The first round of the campaign for Chibuike, September 2023-January 2024, secured a few major essentials such as a cello and keyboard, a power pack, a used mobile phone, a trip to audition and test for a scholarship slot, and general help with day-to-day expenses. A huge thank you is extended to those who made the first round a success:

Jon Allor, Jamie Alumbaugh, Lucian Balmer, Dianne Betkowski, Ruby Butcher, Grace Christus, Dar Churcher, Katherine Cohen, Irma De Jong, Rebecca Gilliver, Sarah Goodall, Carla Erika, Grauer Vetter, Drew Hemenger, Bernie Hostetler, Diana E. Inselberg, Michael Kevin Jones, Hank Knerr, Patricia Kostek, Susan Lafky, Elizabeth Macintosh, Augustin Maruri, Linda Matchan, Aisling McCarthy, John Pike, Emma Schilling, Lucy Schilling, Herre Jan Stegenga, Olga van Oeffelen, Bruce Vogt, Jennifer Wagner, Blake Zicker

Prior Donors. If you donated to this fund through GoFundMe and wish to be kept updated, please email Hank Knerr so that you can be put on our contact list.

Fine Print

Paying Transaction Fees. This is found in the "Final Details" window when completing your donation and will mean that 100% of your donated amount will go to the Chibuike Victor funds. If you prefer to have the transaction fees taken out of your donated amount, click on "Edit" and uncheck the "Yes, cover the fees" box. As you check out, you will also have the opportunity to leave an optional tip to GiveButter and their work.

Non-US Currency: If you donate with any currency other than USD, your bank may charge a conversion fee.

Tax Deduction: At present, this fund is not associated with a 501ciii (not-for-profit) organization and, therefore, is ineligible in the U.S. as a charitable tax deduction. However, sponsorship packages can be designed to make your donation tax-deductible as a business marketing expense. Please email Hank Knerr for more details. Other countries will have their own laws regarding tax deduction, if any.

Questions? Email fund manager Hank Knerr.

Chibuike's Full Story

Chibuike Victor, Cello

By Raising Arts

Chibuike Victor, Cello

A Musical Journey