Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) was founded by Fr. Peter "Obele" Abue, a Catholic priest who was born and raised in the village of Idum-Mbube in Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria. In collaboration with his immediate community and then-Bishop of Ogoja diocese, Joseph Edra Ukpo in 1988, Fr. Abue first created a community foundation with a focus on improving the lives of rural children through education, healthcare and agricultural credit programs in rural villages.  He has since been working with the diocese of Ogoja to spread the message of Jesus Christ, and to alleviate poverty through rural education for children, based on a model of solid community ownership and technical sustainability.

In June 2006,  while completing a doctorate degree in Community and Rural Development through Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, Fr. Abue officially inaugurated CORAfrica and CORAfrica was formally granted the status of a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and has since then been operating its two main offices in Nigeria and the USA. Fr Peter Abue builds upon the experiences and successes of his past work, with the collaboration of his friends and co-workers who make up the Board of Trustees and Administrative Teams in both the USA and Nigeria.  What brings men and women of diverse origins, nationalities, religious persuasions, genders and social status to a common understanding is simple: membership in the one family of the human race, with a mission to make a difference.