Nothing is more heartbreaking than children in need. And nowhere are the needs greater than in Africa. AIDS, war, famine, and diseases have all combined to leave more than 10 million children orphaned in sub-Saharan Africa. Most are destitute, hungry, homeless, and hopeless. They are left to fend for themselves in a hostile world.
Nigeria has suffered major setbacks in the past, yet the people are hopeful that the future will be brighter. A 2003 FOS/ILO National Child Labor Survey estimates that there are 15 million children engaged in child labor in Nigeria. These children are also vulnerable to being forced into prostitution, or, in many instances, are trafficked internationally.
Mission Africa is part of the solution to help the children of Nigeria overcome the statistics that are resoundly against them.
The goal of Mission Africa is to shine a light of hope in African communities riddled with poverty and despair through educational projects, spiritual support and health care.
Mission Africa arose from the desire of Mountain View Lutheran Church member Victor Jakpor to return to his native Nigeria to make a difference in the lives of the people in a city from which he had been absent for almost twenty years.
Victor was raised the son of a Sapele, Nigeria chief who operated a rubber plantation. He insisted that his children receive a good education so he sent Victor to the United States for college. Shortly after Victor arrived in the States, his father died. Though he stayed in the U.S., Victor never forgot his friends, family, and countrymen in Nigeria. In the spring of 2006, Christ called to Victor during an ELCA presentation on world hunger at Mountain View. It was time to make a difference in Africa, and Mission Africa was born.
Mission Africa is ready to assist the transformation of the community of Sapele/Amukpe, with every reason to be hopeless, yet populated by people with high hopes for their future. Through generous donations, we have already been able to provide clean water, a latrine, and text books for Ethiope Primary School. Our goal is to provide these improvements, along with a school lunch program, to all of the schools in the area. We are helping to promote better health by providing medical equipment and supplies to the clinic in Sapele.
Jesus said “…I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing…” The children of Sapele/Amukpe are in many cases hungry, thirsty and naked. Join Mission Africa – walk with Jesus among His children. Your support, both spiritual and financial, will keep the flame of hope alive for people who dare against all odds to believe in a brighter future
