Sunday, August 13, 2006
Our Time in Nigeria
Over the course of two months, there are many memories and experiences that we could share. Its hard to even put them down on paper. What is clear through this experience is how much God has been faithful, not only bringing us through these past two months, but also affirming us in our plans for future long-term cross-cultural work.
Stephanie’s role in Nigeria took on many roles. Her assignment through the Summer Mission Program (SMP) was to work as an intern for Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). The primary job of Stephanie and her partner, Rosemarie, was to assess the Urban Ministry Program.
James' time in Nigeria flew by as he didn't join Steph until July 1. He was to spend three weeks observing in Evangel hospital and then join the rest of the SMP team for the final week of travel. These three weeks turned into two as other opportunities arose.
Stephanie’s role in Nigeria took on many roles. Her assignment through the Summer Mission Program (SMP) was to work as an intern for Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). The primary job of Stephanie and her partner, Rosemarie, was to assess the Urban Ministry Program.
James' time in Nigeria flew by as he didn't join Steph until July 1. He was to spend three weeks observing in Evangel hospital and then join the rest of the SMP team for the final week of travel. These three weeks turned into two as other opportunities arose.
Urban Ministry
Urban Ministry was started in 1994 by the CRWRC in the city of Jos. Its goal was to create cooperative groups through the churches in Jos. These groups would then be trained in business management skills and receive specific skills training so that they could start their own small businesses. With the assistance of small loans, many members of these cooperative groups were able to start successful small businesses ranging from knitting, to farming, to cookshops to buying/selling of produce for the market. By giving the loans to a group rather than an individual, it is hoped that the people will learn to be accountable to each other and to work together to empower their group to be an example in the community. The Urban Ministry Office also works with these cooperative groups to provide health training and literacy training.
Now that these groups have become more empowered through increased literacy, more awareness of health concerns and how to live lives that are more clean and disease free, and through
increased income, they are now more able to work in their communities to encourage their neighbours and to share with them what God has done in their lives.
Jos started by receiving grants from CRWRC in order to implement this work. They have now become self-sufficient! Through the interest they collect on the loan repayments they are able to keep loans circulating throughout their cooperatives and pay the salaries of over ten staff. Since 1994, Urban Ministry has also opened up sites in the cities of Lagos, Abuja and Makurdi. These three cities still receive grants from CRWRC, but are working to also become self-sufficient. As a long-time member of the Christian Reformed Church, it was amazing to see first hand what some of the money that is given to CRWRC is used for and how much it has influenced many of the poor families of Nigeria.
To assess the Urban Ministry program, Rosemarie and I visited with each of the leaders of the four city sites, as well as meeting with a few cooperative groups from those cities. During these visits, our primary objective was to ensure that the offices were not putting all their emphasis on income generation, as this is what is the most appealing aspect of the program to its clients. We wanted to ensure that health and literacy training were being offered and that the cooperative groups were aware and participating in these trainings. We also wanted to ensure that the groups were meeting in Bible Study and prayer, working together to ensure that they were running their businesses with Christian Ethics and that they were inviting their non-Christian neighbours to participate in the health and literacy trainings offered, so that the entire community could benefit from these workshops.
Through this experience, Rosemarie and I were able to meet many families in Nigeria and see first-hand what a struggle it is to make an income in a nation where jobs are very hard to come by. We also were so blessed by the success stories we heard from many members about how Urban Ministry has changed their lives. With the added income, they have been able to pay their children’s school fees, provide better clothes and food for their childen, and what was most important to many of them - tithe to their church. With literacy training many can now write their names and keep better business records. Many also expressed how happy they were to be able to help their children with homework. With health training, many have now received education on how to keep their homes and businesses clear of diseases as well as AIDS/HIV education. Many of them share what they learn from these trainings with their neighbours.
Urban Ministry is truly working to alleviate poverty among Nigeria’s cities and CRWRC should be proud of what it has accomplished through this ministry. Of course, there is always room for improvements, but for Rosemarie and I, we were blessed to see how even a small loan (less than $100) can help a family so much.
Success Stories
“Today, my business has grown because of the training that I have received. It has taught me how to maintain a living from the income I have earned. People have come from Abuja (260km away) to buy products from me. In fact, last year I made an income of N85,000.00 (US $630) from making bread. We, in Jos, are grateful to be a part of the program and, by the grace of God, we will not be poor again. In addition to the business and loan training, I have also learned about HIV/AIDS. I learned how this infection can be contracted, how the disease spreads and how to care for people living with the disease.”
-Mrs. Astira Job, Kauna Widows Group - Jos
“In the year 2000 I learned knitting and purchased a knitting machine. That same year I applied for a loan from Urban Ministry. With the money, I rented a shop. I then used the balance to buy knitting thread. Since then, my business has been growing. The living standard of my family has changed because I now contribute financially to the income of the family. Truly, I appreciate UM Abuja because they have helped me in ways that have changed my life. I am now a strong businesswoman. Presently, I have four knitting machines and have trained about 20 women on apprenticeship and they all have their own shops.” – Mrs. Agnes S. Manjura, Kauna Group #1. - Abuja
“Mun Gode Allah. Most of the members in the Kauna Cooperative were shy in meeting for religious or academic advancement discussions because they were not literate. But with their enrollment in the literacy classes established by U.M. Lagos, they have now read and passed primary education, with some proceeding for college education. They now stand tall among their mates to evangelize and transact business more professionally.”
– Laire Samuel - Lagos
Mashiah Foundation
It was soon clear that our work with Urban Ministry would not take up two months time, so Rosemarie and I volunteered for two weeks with the Mashiah Foundation teaching literacy to women with HIV/AIDS. Mashiah was started seven years ago by a husband-wife team to reach out to people with AIDS. Although there are many organizations that work with people with HIV/AIDS, this couple, Pastor Bayo and Mary Beth Oyebade, saw a gap that they could fill. They now have a youth program, a home-visit program, they give out many free medications and a program called Women of Hope.
Women of Hope is a home specifically for women with HIV/AIDS. Many of these women are widows or have been kicked out of their home. Many were starving, on the streets and had no where to turn. By God’s grace, they found out about Mashiah Foundation and there were given medicine and new hope. Women of Hope offers skills training in the line of quilting, which they sell at their store to tourists to Nigeria. They are currently exploring options as to how to export these beautiful quilts, pillows, wallhangings (and more…) to North America. Through the income these women generate through selling their quilting, they are able to care for their children, rent a house and pay for school fees.
What impressed all of us SMPers who visited these women was how they always introduced themselves as HIV positive. They are taught to not be ashamed of who they are, but instead, live life as full as they can with the health they do have. The women love to sing Hausa (their language) praise songs and it is amazing to hear them praise God with their whole hearts when they have such a terrible disease. They all were so thankful to God for the Mashiah Foundation and for their new lives. Its so hard to understand why they are not bitter to God for giving them AIDS, instead, they praise Him for it. Absolutely incredible.
Although Rosemarie and I could not make a huge difference in someone’s reading skills in two weeks, it was amazing to see women read their first word ever, they were so proud and happy. I hope that I will never take my education for granted again.
Women of Hope is a home specifically for women with HIV/AIDS. Many of these women are widows or have been kicked out of their home. Many were starving, on the streets and had no where to turn. By God’s grace, they found out about Mashiah Foundation and there were given medicine and new hope. Women of Hope offers skills training in the line of quilting, which they sell at their store to tourists to Nigeria. They are currently exploring options as to how to export these beautiful quilts, pillows, wallhangings (and more…) to North America. Through the income these women generate through selling their quilting, they are able to care for their children, rent a house and pay for school fees.
What impressed all of us SMPers who visited these women was how they always introduced themselves as HIV positive. They are taught to not be ashamed of who they are, but instead, live life as full as they can with the health they do have. The women love to sing Hausa (their language) praise songs and it is amazing to hear them praise God with their whole hearts when they have such a terrible disease. They all were so thankful to God for the Mashiah Foundation and for their new lives. Its so hard to understand why they are not bitter to God for giving them AIDS, instead, they praise Him for it. Absolutely incredible.
Although Rosemarie and I could not make a huge difference in someone’s reading skills in two weeks, it was amazing to see women read their first word ever, they were so proud and happy. I hope that I will never take my education for granted again.
Purity Weekend
One of the ministries of the Mashiah Foundation is a Purity Weekend for girls/women aged 12-30. Rosemarie, Sondra (another SMPer working in the hospital with James) and I were privileged to partake in such a weekend. During the weekend there are many talks on sexual purity and the importance of valuing yourself as a women, one that does not deserve to be taken advantage of by men. We heard many sad testimonies from these women of how they had been raped, abused, taken advantage of, etc.,, The weekend was called a Precious Jewel retreat and we encouraged each of the women to embrace that they are a precious jewel. They are unique and loved by God and men need to treat them like they are a jewel. It was quite an eye-opening experience and I pray that these women left the weekend believing that they are precious. A highlight for me was the singing. Its amazing how a room full of women with only two drums and a few shakers can sound so good!
Evangel Hospital (James)
The hospital was quite an experience! It did not have running water in most locations and flies on the wall (and patients) was not a rare occurrence. Just coming off of my final placement at Trillium Health Centre I was blown away by how blessed we are in Canada. For example, the hospital has one ultrasound machine, one difibrillator, etc., All of these are easy to find and access in any hospital in Canada, but this was not the case in Evangel.
I spent my first week observing the surgical team. I was able to assist in the dressing of a burn victim (50% burns). He had been on the side of the road when a petrol truck exploded. As I was changing the dressing the next day, he passed away. In this case, it was possible he would have passed away if he was in Canadian care, but it was hard to witness other cases where I am sure, should the patient have been able to access the Canadian health system, they would have survived. There just isn’t the supplies that are needed to properly treat many patients.
Another week I was able to follow the medical team. Through this experience I was able to really see how medicine is practiced in Nigeria.
I hope I will remember how blessed I am when I start working as a nurse in Canada this fall.
I spent my first week observing the surgical team. I was able to assist in the dressing of a burn victim (50% burns). He had been on the side of the road when a petrol truck exploded. As I was changing the dressing the next day, he passed away. In this case, it was possible he would have passed away if he was in Canadian care, but it was hard to witness other cases where I am sure, should the patient have been able to access the Canadian health system, they would have survived. There just isn’t the supplies that are needed to properly treat many patients.
Another week I was able to follow the medical team. Through this experience I was able to really see how medicine is practiced in Nigeria.
I hope I will remember how blessed I am when I start working as a nurse in Canada this fall.
Gandi Village (James)
The highlight of my Nigeria experience was a day trip to Gandi Village with people from the Rural Evangelical Mission (REM). Sondra and I were privileged to accompany three staff to a remote village outside of Jos. Their goal for the day was to meet with the chief of the village and the churches that were there to see if there was a need and a willingness for more mission work in their village.
We were able to determine some of the needs of this village such as clean water, better health care and some sort of income generation program. As there is no clean water, many people in the village have developped typhoid. Although medications are available, the people could not afford the $10 needed to pay for them. To date, only two people in the village had received treatment.
Even though problems of health care and low-income were very visible, the people of the village had plenty of hope and were excited at the possibility of a mission presence in the village in the future. They whole-heartedly welcomed the REM missionaries and Sondra and I into their village and showed their desire for us to return. It was definately an experience I will not forget!
We were able to determine some of the needs of this village such as clean water, better health care and some sort of income generation program. As there is no clean water, many people in the village have developped typhoid. Although medications are available, the people could not afford the $10 needed to pay for them. To date, only two people in the village had received treatment.
Even though problems of health care and low-income were very visible, the people of the village had plenty of hope and were excited at the possibility of a mission presence in the village in the future. They whole-heartedly welcomed the REM missionaries and Sondra and I into their village and showed their desire for us to return. It was definately an experience I will not forget!
Gandi-Pictures
The EKA (East Kambari Area) - Niger State
CRWM started sending missionaries to the EKA in the 80s. In the EKA there are a lot of muslims, but there are also a people group that still follow African Tribal Religion - this people group was to be their focus. They set up mission stations out in "the bush" to minister to these people. Missionary work in the EKA has just recently been given over to the CRC church in Nigeria. We got to visit some of these mission stations and meet the Nigerian missionaries that are now doing the work that Americans/Canadians were doing. It was so amazing to see how the Nigerian church is starting to do its own missionary work.
The pictures below show some scenes from the EKA. One of them is of a latrine that has just recently been built - a new program being implemented by the CRWRC to promote sanitation.
The pictures below show some scenes from the EKA. One of them is of a latrine that has just recently been built - a new program being implemented by the CRWRC to promote sanitation.
The End
When we returned to Jos after visiting the EKA, we did some last-minute souvenir shopping and then headed off to Yankari Game Reserve. Although we did not see many animals (beside waterbuck), there was a hotspring swimming hole that was unbelievable. The temperature stays constant at 31C - it was great for swimming in! It was also a great time with the other SMPers as we prepared to say good bye and to Nigeria.
Each of us SMPers had such different experiences in Nigeria - some were in the town of Mkar, some were up in the EKA. Yet even those of us together in Jos had very different experiences depending on how we viewed an event. Lots of good memories were made these past two months. A big thank-you to all of you who prayed for us and supported us as we made this journey.
Each of us SMPers had such different experiences in Nigeria - some were in the town of Mkar, some were up in the EKA. Yet even those of us together in Jos had very different experiences depending on how we viewed an event. Lots of good memories were made these past two months. A big thank-you to all of you who prayed for us and supported us as we made this journey.
EKA-Water Project
These pictures show the Yongo family, Nigerian CRWRC missionaries involved in a water project. They drill wells for communities that have not received wells from the government. Some of these wells are over 200ft. deep. The truck shown is the drill truck. Communites need to pay approx. $600 for a well to come to their village. This does not come close to how much a well cost, but it promotes ownership in the village as they have to save together in order to pay the $600 fee - a large amount for them. As a result, these pumps are well taken care of, as compared to government wells that often fall into disrepair. Once again, it was very neat to see the work that the CRWRC is doing.
Also shown is a pit where a village used to draw its water from prior to the well being drilled in their community.
Also shown is a pit where a village used to draw its water from prior to the well being drilled in their community.
EKA-More Pictures
Here are some pictures of the people of the EKA as well as a picture of a camel, James riding a camel and Steph falling off the camel.
AIDS testing
One day Rosemarie, Sondra and I traveled to a village to partake in a free health outreach. During these types of outreaches, various organizations come to the village and do surgeries, eye-tests, consultations and AIDS testing. We participated in the testing. It was quite an experience to see the positive results pop up, realizing how much this would impact the person’s life. It was also amazing how many people showed up and would wait long hours for the hopes of health care.
More Pictures - People
Friday, August 11, 2006
A Start to Posting...
Below you will find the first postings of some of my pictures from Nigeria. As it was not really appropriate to take pictures out in public, many pictures were taken out of car windows - hence fuzziness/bad lighting. However, I think they give a good glimpse of what things look like in Nigeria, so I thought I'd include it for your perusal. Enjoy!
As I get more comfortable with posting, I will include our write-up of our trip as well as more pictures...
As I get more comfortable with posting, I will include our write-up of our trip as well as more pictures...
Pictures-People
