Areas in Nigeria being impacted by Hands at Work
The Crisis + How We BegaN
Within Nigeria, a devastating separation exists between the rich and poor, reflected in a class system accepted by many. Hostile divisions exist between the predominantly Christian south and Muslim north where Islamic law has been imposed in several states. Thousands of people have died in communal attacks. The local church often encourages seeking personal prosperity above serving those in need.
As the work in the community of Masoyi in South Africa was starting to grow, a large pharmaceutical company, who was already supporting Hands at Work, invited Hands leaders to see if they wanted to start serving in Nigeria. In 2007, Hands at Work leaders began branching out and developing their own relationships with the people living in Ilaje, a slum community located within the larger city of Lagos. Connecting with churches, Hands at Work invited church leaders to come to South Africa, where they were trained and shown the Hands at Work model. Through the relationships developed in Ilaje, leaders were able to witness the immense level of poverty that people were living in. Commonly people in Nigeria are treated unjustly and so it took Hands at Work a long time to find people who would not only catch the vision of church unity and caring for others, but also then lead on it. Since then, Hands at Work’s ministry in Nigeria has continued to grow and develop into other parts of Nigeria as local volunteer Care Workers and church leaders have committed their lives to serving the most vulnerable children and ensuring that they are holistically cared for.
Our Response
As the local church is mobilised in each community to unite and reach out to the most vulnerable, Hands at Work equips them to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to the children and families they serve. Children are supported through the daily provision of Hands at Work's three essential services of food, education and basic health care provided at the Life Centres within their community. Through regular visits to their homes, Bible teaching and prayer, children come to know that they are loved by Jesus and those who care for them.
MEET Hanna
Hanna* is one of the most vulnerable children we care for in Alugbo Community, Nigeria. Hanna* and few of her older siblings live with their grandmother in Alugbo Community. Their mother died a number of years ago and sadly their father lives elsewhere and does not visit the children. Thankfully, the family can rely on the Care Workers from the Alugbo CBO. This is especially important for Hanna because, not only does she receive a daily meal at the Care Point, but she also receives love from the people there. She sees the children and the Care Workers as her family.
Nigeria’s Population: 220, 631, 542
Percentage of people living in extreme poverty: 32%
Number of children (0 to 14) living with HIV/AIDS: 130 000
Number of children (0 to 17) who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS: 880, 000
Life Expectancy: 53 (F) | 52 (M)
Country Rating (out of 187) the Human Development Index: 163
– Sources: UNAID, UNDP, World Poverty Clock
Tanisha* has been living in Apatuku, a rural village outside the bustling city of Ibadan, for four years. Sent by her mother at the age of six to live with her grandmother, this move shifted Tanisha into a very vulnerable position, just like thousands of other girls across Nigeria. Her ailing grandmother cared for the young girl and appreciated her help as she was struggling to cook, clean, and do errands alone, but unfortunately was unable to send her to school. Together, they live in a small rented room, sharing a bed and the meager belongings the grandmother had collected. Tanisha, obedient and caring, worked hard to ensure she cared for her grandmother well, but inside she was deeply troubled. Tanisha desperately missed her mother and wanted nothing more than to go to school.