Miles Jesu #1130
The faith among Nigerians is vibrant. More than 90% of Catholics in Nigeria attend Sunday Mass. But many of them are poor and remain poor without education. The Miles Jesu mission in Nigeria is aimed at the education of poor children. There are so many of them!
Several years ago, in Awka, we heard about a 12-year-old girl named Mmesom who was forced to drop out of school because she could no longer afford the school fees. She was working the entire day in the blazing sun with her widowed mother in the bazaar selling pint-size plastic baggies of water. Balancing large wicker baskets on their heads they would move from stall to stall singing out “mmiri, mmiri (water, water for sale),” and the girl never complained. When we offered to pay Mmesom’s fees for school, the mother and her auntie wept tears of joy. Mmesom is now preparing herself to become a nurse. With relatively minimal financial aid, the help given to her has been a life changer!
Presently we are sponsoring 15 needy children in primary school ($75 per year/$1125 Total) and 5 high school students ($150 per year/$750 Total). None of them would have been able to continue their studies, especially the girls from large families. The group meets monthly to receive school supplies and an encouraging word. The name of our student’s group is “Love is Sharing.” Sometimes a group of them will spot us as we maneuver the humps and bumps on the road in our mini truck and will run alongside of us chanting continuously “Love is Sharing, Love is Sharing … “
The numbers of children dropping out of school due to hardships and inflation in the country is very significant. Depending on the response to the fundraising appeal, we hope to increase the number of scholarships and aid to needy children.
Then there is Chekwube, 12 years old, an orphan who lives with his grandmother. To make ends meet for both he transports goods around the market area with his wheelbarrow. We are paying for his tuition and providing all the books and materials that he needs. His grandmother (along with several other destitute widows) is also receiving our financial aid. Depending on circumstances we are donating between $50-200 per month to about 10 poor widows. (See Chekwube’s photo and message below. He wants to thank you for your support.)
My name is Chekwube. I am 12 years old. Thank you for sponsoring my education. God bless you in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
In Nimo region about an hour’s drive from Awka, we have founded the St. Theresa school. It began in a dilapidated old structure that has been replaced by a new building on land donated to us. Even in the old building children wanted to come to our school. The students sense that our teachers really care for them and go out of the way to help them.
The headmistress, our sister, Lucia, has been pleading with me to help them build a covered hall, a second floor in the new school building. It would serve many purposes. For one, it would make the daily assembly of all 250 students (pre-k through 6th grade), which now takes place outdoors, much more bearable: in the rainy season (four months of the year), the ground is all mud; in the other months, there is the oppressive burning sun. To finish the project $10,000 is needed.
Below is the bus which we purchased last year which makes it possible for children who live “deep in the bush” to be able to go to school.
NEPA!!!
The energy supply is a major problem in Nigeria. The light comes and goes, and no one knows for how long it may be out. When it’s been out for days (no lights, no fans, no appliances) and then comes back on, the people shout out “NEPA!” which means, “National Electric Power Authority has given light!” What Lucia is requesting is an alternative power supply: solar panels and inverters to keep the lights on and the students’ computers always operating; and to pump water for use in the school. The cost of this will be $3000.
The Catholic people of Nigeria are deserving of our help. They are so faithful despite the terrible persecution taking place in that country. In just one year, 2023, 8000 Christians were martyred for their faith and loyalty to Christ. Thank you in anticipation for your prayers and solidarity with the people of Nigeria!
UPDATE!
Below are some photos of the minivan for Udaya Nakshatra Home in India that was purchased thanks to the generosity from the 2023 Mission Cooperative Plan and the appeals that I made last year (2023) at St Rose of Lima Parish and St. Anne’s Parish. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make appeals for the benefit of the Miles Jesu mission activities.
-Fr. Thomas Cahill, General Director
Support Miles Jesu #1130
You can support Miles Jesu #1130 through your prayers and monetary donation by making a check payable to THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH, 3424 Wilshire Blvd 3rd Fl., Los Angeles CA 90010, memo #1130. You may also donate online by clicking the donate button. When making an online donation, reference #1130 in the Memo box. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Mission Cooperative Plan