By Linda Jones
02/16/2017 Washington, DC (International Christian Concern) – Boko Haram radicals in northeastern Nigeria have carried out several attacks against Christians by destroying their churches, their communities, taking over their properties, and killing their loved ones. Many of these victims have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. The predominantly Christian communities of southern Borno and northern Adamawa are some of the most affected areas in the country, where almost everyone has been forced out of their land.
Mr. Linus, a Christian displaced by Boko Haram, told International Christian Concern (ICC), “They attacked us because they said we are educated and we get employment, so they said it’s against their religion. That is why they chased us and we left our place and now they occupy our place. They said Boko Haram means ‘Against Education.’”
The majority of these Christian victims have found refuge at the Stefanos Foundation IDP (Internally Displaced People) Camp located in Jos. So far, the camp has been able to accommodate approximately 80 families with their children for the past two years. However, these children have not been able to continue their education as a result of their displacement.
“I have six children in the camp, I’d like them to go to school so they can learn to read and write,” Mr. Linus told ICC.
When ICC learned about the situation, they developed a project to help these Christian children pursue their goals. The project will support these children by renovating a section of the camp that will serve as an informal school. This part of the project was recently completed as was the hiring of qualified teachers and a school principal. Now, ICC will purchase their school materials, uniforms, and prepare for the school’s opening ceremony. More than 120 children between the ages of 3-18 are already benefitting from this project and are looking forward to their first day of class.
“I want to be a student because I want to learn how to read and write,” said Faith, a young girl from the camp.
“I want to be a student because I want to become a doctor to treat sick people and work in a hospital,” said Joshua, a teenage boy who will finally be able to continue his education after two years.
Many of these children were not even able to learn how to read and write before they fled their homes along with their parents. However, the school will allow them to acquire the basic education necessary to meet the Nigerian public school curriculum. Furthermore, it will open many doors for these children since they will be among the 59.6% of the population in Nigeria that is literate.
“I want to be a pilot, to drive an airplane in the air and fly around Nigeria,” says Alheri to his professor.
At present, the first phase of this project has successfully been completed, which included renovating the building and hiring a school administrator and qualified teachers. ICC, along with Stefanos Foundation, is currently working on the second phase, which involves purchasing the school materials and the inauguration of the school. Let’s continue to pray for God’s provision as these children receive the opportunity to acquire a quality education, despite all of the violence and terror that surrounds them. Remember to also pray for the Christian victims who are displaced and continue to face persecution simply because of their faith.