By Linda Jones

4/26/2018 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – Countless Christian children in Nigeria have lost their parents due to violence led by Fulani militants. These terrorists have been persecuting Christians by stealing their land and brutally murdering them in a manner similar to Boko Haram. Unfortunately, the government has been negligent to recognize the threat that Fulani militants pose for Christians and their orphaned children.

Earlier this year, International Christian Concern’s (ICC) Regional Manager for Africa had the opportunity to visit Nigeria and speak with many of the victims who have been affected by Fulani militants. During this visit, he interviewed some of the children of Tivid Orphanage, a Christian orphanage that supports several children who lost their parents to persecution. The orphanage is run by a Christian woman who provides them with food, shelter, and a basic education.  ICC’s Regional Manager shared, “It was one of the most incredible experiences I have seen. She is raising them to have a passion for Christ.”

The shelter relies on donations to support the orphans, whose ages range between 2 and 14 years old. In order to help these children, ICC donated $2,000 worth of food and supplies, including a washing machine and uniforms for the children.

Even though ICC was able to help these children, there is much work to be done to bring relief to victims of Fulani-led violence. Therefore, after careful consideration and many conversations with those affected, ICC is seeking to raise $120,000 to build 10 communal farms in Nigeria. These farms will support the cultivation and planting of 125-acre plots in up to 10 rural villages affected by Fulani militants.

This project is just one of many steps that ICC is taking to raise awareness about the danger that Fulani militants pose to Christian communities. On June 5, 2018, ICC will also be hosting a Policy Day on Capitol Hill to discuss the situation of human rights in Nigeria and how Christians are affected.

ICC’s Advocacy Director, Matias Perttula, said, “Policy Day is the largest advocacy event of the year for International Christian Concern and is a critical part of raising awareness and encouraging policymakers to take action to reduce the growing violence perpetrated by extremist segments of the Fulani in Nigeria…This is a great opportunity for members of the policy realm and the general public to participate in a cutting edge dialogue centered on developing solutions to the conflict, which has significant economic and geopolitical implications in the region.”

If you want to learn more about the crisis of Nigerian Christians and how to get involved, click here.

If you would like to help ICC raise the necessary funds to bring this project to fruition, you can donate here.  Any donation to this cause will help bring relief to a persecuted Christian.

• $5 | Buys five bundles of cassava stems, enough for 1/5 of an acre
• $20 | Buys one knapsack sprayer for weed control
• $30 | Pays for one person to have food and farming for a year
• $100 | Buys four 50 kg bags of fertilizer, enough for five acres of land
• $250 | Buys two water pumps for irrigation
• $1,250 | Provides land clearing for 125 acres
• $5,000 | Buys plowing and harrowing for 125 acres
• $12,000 | Enables an entire village to start farming again (approximately 75 families)

Please prayerfully consider how you can make a difference in the life of a persecuted Christian today.

For interviews with Nathan Johnson, Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org