Catholic Evangelization in Nigeria
Nigeria had the largest economy in Africa and has from 6-8% increase per year despite inadequate power supply and lack of infrastructure politically and commercially. Most Nigerians live on less than $1.75 per day, which categorically falls under extreme poverty. This extreme poverty causes families to respond in desperate measures. 29% of the workforce in Nigeria is made up of children ages 5-14. We need to respond to the call in Nigeria to bring spiritual and physical uplift to communities desperate for hope.
Explore the tabs below to see our projects an donate to Catholic charity work in Nigeria.
Motorcycles for Spreading the Word of God
In the Diocese of Lokoja, the Priests find it difficult to visit the Parishes as vehicles can only access these deplorable roads only on an occasional basis.
In the Diocese of Lokoja in the Kogi State of Nigeria, the road conditions are so deplorable that many parishes are only accessible via motorcycles. Other vehicles are only able to enter these villages at most once a week. The Priests in the Diocese find it challenging to visit their parishes every day. Many times the Priests are unable to fulfill their obligations because they lack adequate means of transportation.
The Diocese has three deaneries; Kabba, Lokoja, and Okene. Apart from the main Church, they have several towns and villages under them. In the deanery of Kabba alone, more than 35 villages are nearly impossible to reach without motorcycles. These are distant places that are roughly 15 to 25 miles from each other. Most people living in these areas must walk 10 to 15 miles each day just to obtain basic life necessities.
Due to the inaccessible roads, the best way to transport through these villages is by motorcycle. Unfortunately, the parishes in this Diocese cannot afford to sponsor motorcycles for the Priests. Motorcycles are also in limited supply in the Kogi State, making it hard to purchase them in the first place.
When the Priests need transportation to perform essential duties they often rely on the goodwill of parishioners who, when they can, lend them their worn-down motorcycles.
Jesus’ love stretches to areas that need it the most – including these remote, inaccessible areas in the Diocese of Lokoja. There is a desperate need here for reliable transportation that will enable the Priests to carry out His mission.
September 2021
Thanks to your abundant generosity we have been able to give the Diocese of Lokoja five motorcycles! These will allow the Priests to spread the Gospel more effectively to these previously unreachable areas. Since obtaining these motorcycles the Priests have been able to consistently travel to different parishes, conduct multiple Masses, teach Catechism and provide religious instruction. They now have a dependable source of transportation and, in the name of the Lord, can effectively serve these areas that have suffered so much spiritually.
Bishop Martin Olorunmolu blesses the motorcycles that will be used as the Priests carry out their duties of spreading the Gospel to inaccessible areas in the Diocese of Lokoja.
Helping the Dreams of Some of Youngest Students Come True!
You can made the difference for six schools including Rock Primary Elementary School, Ezza South Community Primary School in Ebony State, Nza Catholic Primary School, and Rock Family School.
Feeding Program
Have you ever struggled to focus at work because you were hungry or had to use the bathroom? Have you ever been afraid to go to the bathroom because it was slightly inconvenient or even dangerous?
This is the daily existence for the children at Holy Rosary Primary School in Ukpor, Anambra State, Nigeria. Their school has no bathroom facilities. When they have to “go,” their only option is a stand of bushes outside. But this is scary and dangerous for them because of one alarming reason: snakes.
These snakes are not afraid to bite the children, and several have had to be taken to the hospital after suffering a snakebite!
As a result, the students at Holy Rosary try their hardest to never have to use the bathroom while at school. They don’t eat before or during school. They don’t drink any water. And if worse comes to worst and they absolutely can’t hold it, they go home to use the bathroom—and often don’t return to school until the next day.
How can children learn if they’re hungry, dehydrated, or not even in school?
Uchenna Obi
Sixth year student at Ukpor School
She is one of five siblings. Her father is a farmer and her mother is a hawker that sells items at the market. Her family can only afford to feed their children twice a day.
She desires to become a doctor. She also wishes to help her family so that they can live better lives.
She loves her teachers who encourage her to be studious and achieve her dreams. Her favorite subject is science.
Most of all, Uchenna is grateful for everything Catholic World Mission has done for her and her school in the past and present including sponsoring school feedings, paying for school fees, and shipping school supplies.
John Aneifor
Sixth year student at Ukpor School
He shares one sibling. His father, unfortunately, passed away when he was young, and his mother struggles to feed them. He helps her sell water after school to make ends meet. On a good day, they are able to eat twice a day but eating once a day, unfortunately, occurs more often than not.
He desires to become a teacher and then work towards becoming a doctor. He loves helping widows in his area because he empathizes with his own family life.
He admires his teachers as they push him to succeed and be diligent in his studies so that he may make his mark on the world.
He is thankful for Catholic World Mission as he has been blessed by the feedings and aid we have given them over the years.
Send Supplies to Nigeria & Change Lives
2023
We aim to provide four schools in Nigeria with resources including school supplies, whiteboards in classrooms, and weekly meals so they may continue changing the lives of over 900 deserving and bright children. St. Mary’s Primary School, Broderick Primary School, Lively Stone International, and Santa Maria Nursery and Primary School work hard to give their students what they need on scant funds and resources and are calling for our aid. Students like Michael will reap from your bountiful generosity as they have the chance to earn an education despite their unfortunate circumstances.
BEFORE
These students persist in earning a Catholic education despite struggling with school fees, food insecurity, and dilapidated classroom conditions.
YOU can help Santa Maria Nursery and Primary School replace the chalkboards in their classrooms to brand new whiteboards!
These four schools in Nigeria do incredible work with the scant resources they have as they strive to pave the path out of poverty for their students.
AFTER
Students from Santa Maria nursery school. Happy with theirschool bags from Catholic Worldmission.
The Children of the Broderick School were extremely happy with bookings, school fees, uniforms. We shared raw rice and tomatoes for them on Christmas day, because some families can not afford a meal a day.
The Students of Umunuko Central Nurseryand Primary School are extremely very grateful for all the bags, school supplies, and school fees that they received from Catholic Worldmission
Continuation of the gift items share at the Lively StonesInternational School. We distributed school bags, uniforms for the children that can not afford, paid school fees for the ones that are owing, and could not take exams.
Food and Love for children
May 2021
Catholic World Mission, along with our partner, Keneolisa Charities, sponsored a school feeding program at Holy Rosary Elementary School in Nigeria this past May. Many children received the nourishment they needed and they appreciated the kindness and love shown by CWM donors. Even during these times of uncertainty – you took time and showed how much you cared.
They not only received bowls of food but bountiful love that was felt countries away from our donors!
Holy Rosary Elementary School students patiently wait their turn for a good meal, and special lunchtime with friends.
A day blessed with full bowls and happy hearts.
Thank you to our generous donors!
March 2020
Thanks to generous contributors like you we were able to successfully install working bathrooms into Holy Rosary Elementary School! This was a joint project with Keneolisa Charities in efforts to give the students a healthy and safe school environment.
Bathrooms Under Construction for Holy Rosary Elementary School
2019
Construction in progress for the students in Ukpor, Anambra State, Nigeria.
New Roof for Broadrick Street Primary School
April 2018
We called on you in March with an emergency request to help Broadrick Street Primary School finish its roof. With just two days to go before our partner, Felicia, had to return to the States, this was an urgent need. But you rallied and gave generously! We were able to send the needed funds in time, and the roof was finished in April!
Here is what Felicia had to say in an email she sent to us from Nigeria:
“Happy Easter. This is the best Easter ever. I don’t know what else to say. God Almighty will never forget you all. The Children were too happy, all their prayers were for Catholic World Mission. God bless you all. Everybody in the city and community came to see the new changes at Broadrick School in Enugu. Thank you all. I am so proud of Catholic World Mission.”
See photos from throughout the construction process below:
Children’s Day
May 2016
Children’s Day is celebrated every year in Nigeria on May 27. Traditionally children are excused from school, and instead shadow leaders in the community. Your generosity allowed us to take part in Children’s Day this year in Nigeria! Our missionaries brought exercise books for 2000 children, along with pencils, chalk, and snacks for the children to enjoy.
Children in six schools benefited from your generosity. With your help we can continue celebrating Children’s Day in Nigeria for years to come!
“We are thankful for Catholic World Mission and pray that God rewards them in Jesus’ almighty name.” – Betty, Nigerian School Teacher
Mission Trip
May 2015
In May 2015 missionary Felicia Amanambu visited Nigeria to alleviate the suffering of the poorest of the poor. When she saw the poverty in the villages she asked what their greatest needs were, and how she could fulfill them. School supplies and medical care were among the most urgent needs. We were able to respond immediately thanks to your support!
Felicia shared with us that wherever she goes people shout, “Catholic World Mission is here! Catholic World Mission has come to help us!” Thanks to your support, this joy is contagious.
See photos from the schools below:
Desks for Students
2015
In a country full of corruption, giving hope is not easy. When you strive to do the work of the Lord, the Holy Spirit often intervenes. We were so blessed this year to receive donations from all over, making it possible to give desks to students in Nigeria. Providing desks where there were once none is just one of the ways we are building platforms for education and aiming to help the whole world.
Thank You!
Medical Shipments
The need for medical care is imperative in Nigeria. Catholic World Mission has secured and shipped gift-in-kind to stock hospitals and clinics in the city of Nnewi and surrounding villages. Following our formula of engaging in coordinated efforts with charitable partners and a local “beachhead,” we have been able to garner the medicines and supplies that are in particular need here.
May 2015
This past May 2015, Felicia Amanambu brought medical supplies to poor people in Nigeria. Medical professionals also worked with Felicia to serve the poor. These physicians followed her into remote areas that have not seen a doctor in years to distribute vitamins, diabetic medicine, and to perform physicals and wellness exams. At these clinics they are able to diagnose illnesses and diseases, and provide proper referrals for patients to be seen in government hospitals.
Felicia told us, “I serve the underprivileged in the eastern, western and southern states in Nigeria, traveling to almost twelve states where I supply the clinics with things like beds, wheelchairs and high blood pressure medications just to name a few. I also assist in educational furnishings, building seats and donating meals for children who come from homes where they have nothing to eat when coming to school.”
Explore the photos below to see more of the mission:
Medical Missions
Unlike Ghana, Nigerians fall prey to illness more familiar to us, such as diabetes and heart disease. Medicines are selected carefully to ensure the areas are receiving what is most needed. Additionally, we were able to stock the local hospital in Nnewi with pediatric and regular-sized hospital beds–a valuable commodity. Too often, patients here are turned away from the hospital due to lack of beds and medicines to treat them.
