Stranorlar to Yola and Minna Nigeria.
Family Enrichment Centre, Stranorlar twinned with Nigeria.
Nigeria’s recorded population is 140 million but most would say that 250 million is closer to the mark
A dream came through and I am deeply grateful to all who made it possible form Provincial Team to the Sisters in Nigeria.
From landing in Abuja and being met by Sr Maire Mc Gann and her pilot Daniel, I felt welcome. One welcome I could have done without was from the ever present mosquito’s who apparently love “new white skin” but having done all the preparation recommended thankfully I was never sick so dispel all the myths and maybe try it out for yourself.
No writing will adequately capture the experience. Many of the roads are wide but not maintained and one wiggles their way to avoid all major holes etc. stayed in Dracs with the Daughters of Divine Love, then a 4 hour on to Jos stayed over night with the Franciscan sisters and from there to Yola, a nine hour car journey over some good roads, others…well lets say our bog roads would favourably compare but one driver was very adapt at manipulating the car. Should you wish to relieve yourself there was lots of open country and bio – degradable paper.
The welcome in SABON RAYUWA was heartfelt and the work there challenging and worthwhile. Their Philosophy is “The only way to fight poverty is to transform the poor person into an active producer”
--Seminars on native herbs and there benefits
--Two residential weeks with Clerical Students endeavouring to spread the message of Care for our Earth. In one way Nigeria leads the way in recycling and at the same time they open drains, the plastic bags, dumps convenient to shopping etc are blots on the landscape.
Regular mode of public transport is by motorbike (Achaba) and they drive at a great speed with all kinds of loads including small animal, a number of people and planks of wood and they certainly pollute the atmosphere.
The notion of shopping mall where you can sit and have a relaxing browse is unknown – generally it is all open markets with hygienic conditions not a major consideration. I was struck by the number of people who had lost a limb but on seeing their mode of transport I understood. Women work very hard and men appear to “have it made” you will regularly see them lounging under trees, mending cars or washing their motorbikes, uniform is an essential component and they have all colours. Seeing women breaking stones, carrying basins of sand to load a lorry and at the same time having a baby on their backs and at times one in the womb is not an east sight to observe.
Visiting our school in Yola and Minna is such an uplifting experience when you view a local private school funded by the government is a sight to behold. The externals say it all. The ongoing need to be part of the education system so that children especially girls can have opportunities is tangible – more help urgently needed.
The SABON RAYUWA Centre with its focus on home grown vegetables, care of the earth, the absence of all chemicals and the teaching programme that enables others to be part of similar projects is very worthwhile. Providing two residentials for senior clerical students will I am sure help to spread the Gospel on how we need to value our world, how we can produce healthy food to nourish and sustain us and how we can create our own gas for cooking etc and how we can treasure our world. Also the provision of programmes for A.I.D.S sufferers etc. The women’s centre has very enriching programmes and since the level of literacy is very low these opportunities are essential if the systems there are to change. You certainly would not need to be in a hurry when attending Eucharist as 2 hours would be the norm and if you happen to catch 40 winks an elder will give you a tap. Preparations are at an advanced stage for the animal section, pigs, goats and hens.
Reflection points –
The role of women are certainly not appreciated. Their lot is a very difficult one
Despite the poverty they had always a welcome and smile
Often I would have heard that Nigerians in Ireland are crooks – if I had to live in their conditions I too might resort to all kinds of everything
Imagine giving a child in Ireland a pencil as a gift and yet they thought it was very good.
Counselling is a great need as so many are hurting and want to be heard.
Bribes are very much part of the system – you see it all the time and it even happens when you are trying to get the results of your examinations
The Mercy Sisters are highly regarded in Nigeria and we should all be very proud of their great work. En Route to Nigeria I called in Newry and Sr Teresa told me she went out for 6 months and stayed nine years and today “her feet are in Newry but her heart is in Nigeria”. I can fully appreciate that sentiment now. The Sisters are also engaged in Family, Village, Hospital and Prison visits and people there welcome you with warmth to their humble homes.
Many, many tried to discourage me from going: - your too old, your health, the climate etc etc. Having done the necessary preparation injections, creams etc I was blessed by not being sick at all – so put that myth to bed and think about it as you will get plenty of support from the Provincial Team and the sisters in Nigeria. Since I haven’t hung up “my shoes” yet I would hope God willing to revisit, a very needy but welcoming people, in the future.
To all who contributed – cash, school equipment, second hand laptops, made contributions to our gift voucher, bag packed, jumble sale, Barbeque, tickets and sponsorship, concert and matching funding “Go Raibh a Mile Maith do gach Duine”. The forty thousand raised has found great homes. Imagine Ireland with no children’s allowance, widow or widowers’ support, insurance in accidents etc and you might get a glimpse of the picture. Christmas is coming and we can continue from a distance with Prayer, cash and hopefully some with presence, Should you want to give a special gift we have beautiful gift cards or if you have eaten too much on Christmas day there is a walk on the 26th December for Nigeria ALSO A Jumble Sale on the 1st December, contributions welcome Why not join either or all three??