● Mothers now pluck leaves, cook, and feed their children
On hearing of plans by a group to distribute garri (cassava flakes), a distressed mother trekked for two hours to get the popular Nigerian staple food for her hungry children in Adamawa State.
Her story is told in a statement by one of the leaders of Lay Faithful Trust Foundation (LFTF), Pastor Bosun Emmanuel. LTFT is a Christian group operating out of Lagos, with membership across the country.
The full statement reads:
“As we present the report of the recent food relief to Christian IDPs in Yola, Adamawa state, the Lay Faithful Trust Foundation wishes to express gratitude to the brethren who selflessly donate to support Christian IDPs. They are the real heroes of this Christian intervention. The sacrificial giving of the brethren in this season of serious economic challenges is the miracle we witness whenever we go to the field. God bless you and reward you abundantly.
“Great economic challenges beset the recent food relief in Yola in August 2024. Lay Faithful typically provided rice, beans, maize, palm oil, and vegetable oil during its food relief programs.
“Unfortunately, the cost of these items has outpaced the available funds. This time, only “garri” could be purchased for the IDPs. Even at that, the cost of “garri” doubled the previous expenses to provide rice, beans, and maize.
“The food relief met the IDPs at a point of distress. Most of them have not cooked any decent meal in seven days, according to the reports. They subsisted by plucking leaves and vegetables from the bush and boiling them for their children. Some testimonies may suffice:
▪Maryam (not her real name) had not cooked any meal for her children in seven days when she was told to come and collect “garri.” She barely slept during the night due to the excitement that she felt. The distribution was to commence at 11 a.m, but she left the camp at 6 a.m and trekked to the distribution center for two hours. She arrived at 8 a.m and waited. As she approached the distribution center, she started dancing on the road. People who saw her thought she was insane. She was coming to collect “garri” to feed her children.
▪Another woman in the camp wept so much that the other women had to gather to console her. Her husband was killed by Boko Haram, leaving her to cater for 11 children. When she heard she would receive two bags of “garri” for her family, she could only weep.
▪After the 90 bags of “garri” were distributed to the beneficiaries in the three IDP camps, the women carried the Adamawa Rep. of Lay Faithful, an elderly woman, on their shoulders and danced for joy.
“PROJECT LOCATION
The relief distribution covered the following IDP camps:
1. Sangere Dutse
2. EYN Fombina
3. Nana Villa Sangere FUTY
All the camps are in Girei LGA in Adamawa State.
“APPRECIATION
We thank the Lord for the grace of rendering this service to the persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria. We also thank all the brethren who donate funds to minister relief to the persecuted Church.
“God bless you and count it for you as righteousness. Our appreciation also goes to Mama in Yola and all the brethren who worked with her to ensure the project’s success.
“As we thank our current donors, we solicit more support from the Christian community to enable greater help to reach more of our brethren in the IDP camps. We appeal to Church leaders to support the mobilisation efforts for more Christians to contribute a minimum of N500 monthly to help the persecuted Christians. The Lord is counting on all of us to bring healing and relief to the persecuted Church.
“God bless you.
“Your brother in Christ,
Bosun
admin@layfaithful.org
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