During this time of year many of our children are enjoy life in the sun during their summer break. However, for children in Nigeria, there are no schools to return to and many have lost their immediate family members due to the horrific violence of terrorism. The attacks from Boko Haram, a violent Islamic militant group, have killed 17,000 people, left 2 million homeless, and forced over a million children out of school.
The danger of Boko Haram is particularly bad in the Borno region of Northern Nigeria, where many former schools have been converted into dilapidated refugee camps. Every day, survivors of terror attacks face horrific conditions as they grieve for their lost loved ones, while they fight to stay alive themselves.
That is why Call of Hope is there, helping victims of terror by providing food, blankets, water, and other supplies. In addition to aid, Call of Hope’s frontline workers have come along side the people of Northern Nigeria, providing friendship, love, and most importantly the message of the Gospel.
Kaye, a COH frontline worker, has recently connected with a 12-year-old refugee girl named Ravi, during a quiet night in the camp. Ravi told Kaye her story:
One night in my village, my family and I were eating our evening meal when we heard the sound of gunshots. They seemed to be getting closer, and then I saw a bullet go right through the fence next to our home. My father yelled us to get down to avoid gunfire! The first chance we had, we made a run from the house and hid in the bushes nearby. From the trees at the edge of the village we watched as Boko Haram fighters shot many people and then burned our church and other nearby homes. Just when we thought the men would go away, they approached our home and we watched as they burned it to the ground.
Once the fighters had cleared out, we ran and helped our wounded neighbors. Many had been shot and snakes had bitten others as they hid in the bushes, but thankfully everyone survived. The next morning my family and I, along with many others from my village, walked for 5 1/2 hours to get to a refugee camp where we hoped to find food and shelter.
Ravi’s story is like many in Northern Nigeria, she has been displaced, has not been able to attend school, and struggles to find adequate food and water. With your help, we will be able to show the love of Jesus by providing care, comfort, and the message of the Gospel to Ravi, and those like her, this year.
Would you prayerfully consider giving a gift of $10, $20, $50, or $100 dollars to help children like Ravi? Your gift at this pivotal time is a chance to change a life forever!
