Maria Okafor
The Riabymaria Foundation (RBMF) was born from a personal journey of love, loss, and a commitment to change. Our Founder’s late cousin, who was diagnosed with autism, touched her life in profound ways. From 2009 to 2013, her family navigated the challenges of autism with limited knowledge and support, often feeling lost and unsure of how to help him thrive. This experience revealed just how isolating and difficult it can be for families who lack access to autism resources.
While in the United States, our Founder saw what compassionate, informed care could do for children with autism and their families. Inspired to bridge this gap at home, she founded RBMF to honour her cousin’s memory and to provide the understanding, resources, and support her family needed. Today, the foundation works to empower children with autism and build a community rooted in empathy, knowledge, and acceptance.