Nigerian Heroes

I saw some great heroes in Nigeria.  Chi was one of them.  She cares about her own people.  Even though she had a PhD from the USA and could have had a financially successful career she decided to return to her home country and help by establishing Right Steps.  Chi saves women who have been cast out of their homes.  She takes them and their children to her compound and begins to teach them how to make it on their own.  In a country with little economic benefit she still teaches these women how to start and build a business.  Chi gives them lessons in parenting and life and helps them believe in themselves.

Another hero is a man named Friday.  He was the electrician on the campus of our school.  He had the ability to  repair many of the machine problems we had on campus.  After he graduated he began a program that would help inmates re-unite with their families.  Often, an entire village would join together to forbid a former inmate to return home.  Friday meets with the inmate's family, then with the village elders and convinces them to allow the inmate to return home.  One of the ways he is able to do this is by telling them that the inmate has graduated from a series of courses he has taught. The courses cover topics such as parenting, anger-management, how to be a good husband and many other topics.  Friday even provides the inmate with a change of clothes and shoes so he can return to the village with some dignity.  

Another hero is Cliff.  He is an American who began working at a hospital in Nigeria several years ago.  He and his wife could never say no when an orphan was brought to their home.  One by one their family continued to increase and there are now over twenty children being cared for.  Unfortunately, Cliff's wife, Pam, died a few years ago of cancer.  Cliff has continued to care for the children and as each one grows he or she is given the best opportunity that Cliff can afford to give so that the child can be successful  in life.  It has been a struggle for him in many ways but his love for the children continues to make a difference.

Each of these people do what they can to make an impact on the country of Nigeria.  There are many people throughout the world who need help.  Chi, Friday nor Cliff throw up their hands in exasperation and say, “What can I do?”  They do what they can for whom they can.  Just like the starfish story, it makes a difference to this one.

I hope I can be like them in Honduras.  I want to make a difference in the lives of those who need help.

Comments

[Kim Sa]

You forgot to mention you!

[Lowell]

I don't think I rate hero status but I do feel good about what we were able to accomplish there.
Thanks for the complement!