In Memoriam
Honoring the Founders of Living Proof
At Living Proof, we celebrate the lives and legacies of two remarkable visionaries — Father Mathew Vaddakkermuriyil and Nusaiba Jackson (Nu Legacy) — whose compassion, leadership, and unwavering belief in people gave birth to a global movement of empowerment and hope.
Father Mathew’s life was a testament to service before self. From rural India to communities worldwide, he dedicated decades to improving the lives of farmers, developing sustainable practices, and uplifting the marginalized through innovation, education, and faith. His pioneering spirit continues to inspire our global initiatives.
Our founder, Nusaiba Jackson, embodied resilience, creativity, and love. While working at Columbia University, she founded Living Proof in 2007, turning her vision into action. Even as she faced her own health battle, Nusaiba championed women’s empowerment and breast cancer awareness — a mission we continue to uphold today through our ongoing work in research, care, and prevention.
Together, Father Mathew and Nusaiba showed us that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when driven by purpose and compassion. Their light guides us still, reminding every member of our community to be Living Proof — of service, faith, and humanity in action.
Living Proof Tribute: Father Mathew Vaddakkermuriyil
August 15, 1941- June 21, 2012
Living Proof Founding Board Member Father Mathew Vaddakkermuriyil passed away at Amrita Hospital, Kerala, India on Friday, June 21, 2012. His gift of life and service was a blessing to all those who encountered his presence and his legacy of prayer, patience and persistence is renewed within us each day.
Father Mathew initiated countless innovations in recent years aimed at protecting the interests of the ordinary farmer. He was one of founders of the Indian Farmers Movement (INFARM est. 1952), and the Malanada Development Society (MDS) serving as its secretary and treasurer from 1972- 2002. He was a highly respected leader responsible for personally organizing and training thousands of rural Indians to improve their livelihoods. He was an agriculture and renewable energy pioneer whose spirit radiated and was magnetic to all the lives he touched.
He was internationally known and recognized for his transformative work in bee keeping and honey production, silk weaving, soap manufacturing, agriculture, animal husbandry, alternative energy, integrated child development, environmental education, textiles, manufacturing, water resource management, milk production, housing and rural sanitation, rural cooperatives, participatory planning and action, handicrafts, research and training.
We are now all called to be reflections of his innovation, imagination, humility, entrepreneurship, faith and generosity of spirit. From New York to India to Angola, Father Mathew generously and graciously assisted Living Proof with vibrancy. We are eternally grateful for his wisdom and ingenuity and will celebrate and honor his life through our service to others. Father Mathew Vaddakkermuriyil was a Living Proof of service before self and faith in action.
Father Mathew: LIVING PROOF of ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary feats! Be LIVING PROOF!
“Do it now! Today, will become yesterday, tomorrow”.
-Father Mathew Vadakkemuriyil
Living Proof Tribute: Nusaiba Jackson
Nusaiba Jackson (aka Nu Legacy) founded Living Proof in 2007 while working full-time at Columbia University’s Sociology Department. Before she passed away after a brief struggle with breast cancer, Nu Legacy also founded several businesses and supported multiple organizations whose work continues to reach and improve the lives of thousands of global communities.
We at Living Proof would like to emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer amongst ALL WOMEN, particularly women of color under the age of 35.
In honor of Nusaiba’s contributions, all donations offered during Pink October, December, and April will be strictly directed to our work supporting cancer research, care, and prevention. Please donate in honor of your loved ones and help us continue our important work to bridge medical, cultural, social, and economic gaps.