Christian Missionary Outreach Rents Apartments for 72 Displaced Persons in Abuja

In a bid to provide succour to those affected by insecurity in parts of the north, Afri-mission and Evangelical Network, a Christian missionary outreach, has taken a significant step by renting apartments for 72 internally displaced persons in Abuja. This move is part of their Rental Housing Support Programme, which is aimed at helping the IDPs start a new phase of life. They're providing a safe place for them to live, which is a crucial step in their recovery.

The event, which took place on Sunday, saw hundreds of internally displaced persons gather in Abuja. The organisers stated that their intention was to first pull the homeless beneficiaries off the streets. Then, they'll enroll them in the skills acquisition programme of the mission. This will enable them to be self-sufficient after the programme. They won't have to rely on others for support, and they'll be able to take care of themselves.

The Organisers' Intentions

Josephine Amaechina, the Senior Pastor of Antioch Christian Centre and the director of Afri-mission's directorate of Humanitarian Service, expressed her sentiments. She congratulated the 72 families who were beneficiaries of the first batch of the programme. She also encouraged them to be steadfast in their Christian journey, despite the challenges they'd faced. Amaechina didn't mince words - she told them they'd been through a lot, but they wouldn't be alone.

Amaechina stated that the beneficiaries were chased out of their communities, their houses were burnt down, and some of their family members were killed. She reassured them that the organisation would provide support to help them overcome their challenges. The organisation is also working towards completing and equipping their Skill Acquisition Centre. This centre will enable them to commence skill training and empowerment programmes for the beneficiaries. They're working hard to get it ready, and it won't be long before it's up and running.

The Beneficiaries' Reaction

Two of the beneficiaries, Juliana Daniel and Andrew Iorfa, expressed their gratitude to the organisers. They were joyful about being selected in the first batch and being pulled off the streets. Iorfa said, "I thank the organisers for putting smiles on my family's face and taking us off the streets. We pray that God will bless them and give them the resources to do more. We're grateful." He didn't hold back - he said they'd been given a second chance, and they wouldn't waste it.

The Organisation's Plans

The president of the network, Oscar Amaechina, stated that the intervention was only a tip of the iceberg in targeted projects in the next few months. As more funds become available, other affected persons will be supported to pick up the pieces of their lives. Amaechina expressed his burden to pull out some people from uncompleted buildings. He said that when he spoke about this, there was no money, but he spoke faith, believing that any work done with God's faith never lacks God's supply. He's confident that they'll get the support they need, and they won't give up.

Amaechina shared the story of a woman whose child nearly died. When they took her to the house they rented for her, she couldn't believe her eyes. The organisation paid N1.1 million for people they didn't know from anywhere. Amaechina attributed this action to the love of Christ in them. It's a significant investment, and it shows they're committed to helping those in need.

The Road Ahead

The organisation is working tirelessly to ensure that the beneficiaries are given a holistic intervention and groomed to Christ-like maturity. They're also working to ensure that the beneficiaries' psychological well-being is taken care of through counselling and trauma healing support. The organisation plans to establish discipleship groups to achieve this goal. They won't stop until they've done everything they can to help the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries and others will undergo skills training in areas such as catering and baking, tailoring, cosmetology and beauty services, ICT, shoe making, bead making, bag making, and adult literacy. The organisation is strategically seeking partnerships and support to send at least 200 of the beneficiaries' children back to school in September 2026. The KMF Discipleship Micro-Loan Programme will also be available to financially empower the beneficiaries to do business and generate income to take care of their households. They're counting on the support of their partners to make it happen.