STM is privileged to share in facilities development projects that extend gospel opportunities in Nigeria. We would like to update you on their progress here.
First is the Emmanuel Academy roofing project. As reported in the STM Newsletter (July 2024), Emmanuel Academy is a Christian secondary school founded by AMEN (Agape Mission and Evangelistic Network) to serve several villages near their main Mission Training Base in Plateau State. For nearly 30 years, the missionary staff of this school has been pointing both Christian and Muslim students toward Jesus. Many have committed their lives to Christ. Currently there are around 80 students at Emmanuel Academy, which is the only secondary school in the area. There is a massive need for educational opportunities especially in Nigeria's rural areas. Unfortunately, over the years, the termites have also been at work on the rafters making the roof unsafe and threatening to close the school.
We are now happy to report that STM was able to provide most of the funds, and AMEN has provided much of the labor, and the roof is nearly complete. There are many additional improvements that can be envisioned for this fruitful school in the future (see the STM Newsletter July 2024), but having a safe building is essential.
Above: Emmanuel Academy with roof removed and additional masonry rows added.
Below: Replacing rafters and metal roof
The second project is about water. Water is another essential in the arid central and northern parts of Nigeria. In late 2024, STM was able to provide the remaining funds needed to complete a solar pump project that provided water to the main AMEN Mission Training Base in Plateau State. There are often over 100 people living at that base, so having a reliable water supply is a huge blessing. Another important advantage of the new well is that it is a drilled well, what they call a "borehole" that is deep enough to access clean water. The previous well was a shallow open well accessed with a rope and bucket, and which was known to be a source of disease.
Above: The new, clean, water supply powered by solar pump. Most of the living quarters on the Mission Base do not have running water, so jerrycans are filled and carried back to each residence.
Below: Solar panels for the new pump. The electrical poles in the background are sadly not functional. After numerous repairs due to theft of metals by bandit gangs, the power company refuses to provide service. These are desperate times in Nigeria. Power grid and pipeline servicemen often need to work under the protection of armed guards.
A third project STM is happy to share in is the Kwali Farm project. Last summer we were able, along with Nigerian supporters to provide funds for AMEN to purchase a 30+ acre farm just outside the Nigerian capital city, Abuja. This was also first described in the July 2024 STM Newsletter. The farm is intended not only to provide income for the gospel efforts of AMEN, but also to serve as an agricultural training facility for missionaries so that they can help improve the practices of the many rural farmers among whom they minister. They have already had one harvest from the farm which produced at or above their expectations. We were excited to learn recently that they have already broken ground for some of the buildings needed: a storage building is nearing completion, and another building with living spaces is getting its foundation now. These are currently being built with Nigerian funds, but we anticipate participating in the future.
Above: Kwali Farm storage building under construction. Central Nigeria does not have the humid, jungle climate you might expect. It is closer to a savannah.
Below: Some of the members of the Kwali Farm development team. The Team Leader is Beauty M. (third from right) and the other main person on the project is Victor A. (far left in back).
Below: Victor in front of the cassava crop.
And just a final note of thanks: all of these photos are from Beatrice Yakubu, a new AMEN Missionary-in-Training, who is graciously helping us in this way.
Photos & Video: ©Azigbo Dafe Samuel, ©AMEN, or ©Sharing the Mission - all used by permission. More info.