When I first traveled to Nigeria in the spring of 2014, it was the most surreal experience of my life. Over 100 children sang and clapped for me as I stepped out of the vehicle that brought me to the Compassionate Home in Umuagwu village. My hosts, the poor villagers of the Igbo tribe, treated me like a king even though I was only there in response to Jesus’ call to serve. Deacon Leo always spoke to me about the “Compassionate Home” and now my own eyes beheld it.
50 true orphans live in this Home in Umuagwu and also attend school. If you think homeschooling is popular in the USA, it totally defines the philosophy of education for HEAL’s mission. In our context, homeschooling is a means of survival and affordability more so than shielding children from the deficiencies of public or even private school education. The Compassionate HOME is the life preserver HEAL throws to orphans drowning in abandonment and indifference.
Providing this home means HEAL is responsible for both the educational AND living expenses of these children. And, now, HEAL is expanding the Compassionate Home to a second site in the village of Mbaise. HEAL operates a day school for poor village children in Mbaise just as in Umuagwu. Most of the children come to school in the morning and return home to their parents. However, several children have nowhere to go after school and the Messengers of Justice (MOJ), with HEAL’s blessing, have decided make them feel at home.
Expenses such as food, clothing, shelter, first aid medical, and more add up when attending to basic needs. As we know, there is no development possible without subsistence first. HEAL runs a cost efficient operation and can sustain AND develop/educate one child for $1,500 per year! Please become a HEAL Helper for a SMALL monthly donation of $10, $25, or $50. Or, be a HEAL Hero for a larger monthly donation of $75 or $100.
We call the poor and marginalized people in our care our “masters.” This is because in serving them, we serve Jesus who identifies with them (Mt. 25:40). Help us lift them up as we empty ourselves in their service!