As a child in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I remember walking to grade school and back home. My most traumatic incidents, during those ½ mile treks on sidewalks, across streets, and over train tracks, consisted of getting in occasional fights with other kids or slipping on the ice!
In rural Nigeria, the walk to and from school isn’t so pleasant, especially at this time of year. Children are often targeted by those desperately seeking power at all costs, including aspiring politicians. Deacon Leo Okonkwo explains, “Kidnapping for ritual sacrifices and human trafficking results in missing children, especially during Nigerian election season.”
A sense of hopelessness due to various economic, cultural, and political factors draws the wrong people for the wrong reasons into politics. “Most people entering politics in Nigeria are wrongly motivated and totally unqualified for the positions they seek”, says Leo. Thus children and mostly girls become vulnerable targets of those whose only concern is acquiring power.
To eliminate this safety hazard hindering the educational development of our children, HEAL has provided transportation for BOMCA and MENPS students. Unfortunately, the Toyota minibus we have been using recently broke down. “School begins at 7:30 a.m., but, because of the bus in disrepair, students are walking up to 3 kilometers and not arriving until 8:45 a.m.”, Deacon Leo says.
Of course, many children in Nigeria walk to and from school everyday because they have no other choice. The conditions making such a journey so risky come with the territory of mission work. Please help us repair our bus and provide for the safety the children!