World Renew Appeals For Funds to Help Heal Trauma in Nigeria

Recent Boko Haram activities in northeast Nigeria, despite concerted efforts by security agents, give great cause for grief and concern.

The cities of Bauchi, Kano, and Jos have witnessed a rise in violence that has claimed hundreds, even thousands, of lives, as well as land.

Churches, mosques, and markets have been attacked through a new tactic of strapping bombs to young women and girls as young as 10. The number of internally displaced people has increased dramatically due to this heightened violence.

In this context World Renew appeals urgently for support.

World Renew is reaching out through a Trauma Healing project to those who have been terrorized and traumatized in northern Nigeria.

Participants are drawn from 18 northern states in Nigeria. In group settings, they process their various challenges in order to find individual, group, and community healing, as well as extend forgiveness to one another and build personal and collective resilience.

Danladi (not his real name)  lost 50 members of his immediate and extended family—including his children and his wife who was eight months pregnant—when his village was attacked on Sept. 9, 2014.

His house was destroyed by fire, and area property worth thousands of dollars was destroyed.

In tears Danladi says, “Now I find things difficult in my life because of the absence of those people around me. I have nobody to communicate and share with and no house to live in.

“In fact, today I am like a bird in the air. Anywhere I go and night meets me, I sleep there. Anywhere I get food I eat. I have no choices of my own. I appreciate God for anything he brings my way.”

Danladi is now part of a caring group made possible through the Trauma Healing project, which he says has helped him gain more appreciation for the opportunity of having a decent meal, a place to sleep, someone loving and caring to talk with, and something to wear.

Besides the current Trauma Healing project, World Renew has also addressed the needs of Nigerian refugees who fled the violence of Boko Haram by crossing into Niger.

Partnering with a local organization and in coordination with the United Nations Office of Coordination for Humanitarian Assistance, assistance was provided in November to 50 families:  89 men, 146 women, and 115 children – 350 people in total.

These families received a month’s ration of food including rice, beans, and sugar. They also received sleeping kits (three mats, three mosquito nets, and one blanket) and hygiene kits (10 bars of soap, a bucket for bathing, 150 Aquatabs for purifying water, and a Jeri can).

A month later the families reported they were eating three meals instead of one, thanks to the food distribution.  One gave this testimonial:

“World Renew and their partner have changed something important in the lives of my children. My child suffered from malaria.

“We are staying right next to a pond where there are lots of mosquitos. Thanks to this help I received three mosquito nets, now the children sleep in them.  Since we got them I have not heard one of the children complain about a headache [from malaria].  The child who was sick got better and has returned to school.”

Consider supporting World Renew's work providing trauma healing in Nigeria today. $25,000 is urgently needed.

Donate online or mail your check, marked "Nigeria Conflict Response" to...

World Renew-Canada
3475 Mainway
Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8

World Renew-US
1700 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508