“The help gives us new life” – a mother’s gratitude in Nigeria

Badoo and her family are amongst 250 households in Benue State you’ve supported with livelihood training. Thank you!

“Thank you for bringing light back to my life,” says a mother in Benue State, Nigeria, after you came alongside her family following an attack by radicalised Fulani militants.

“It was a terrible day for us,” recalls Badoo*, who was pregnant at the time. “Gunshots were everywhere when they attacked in the middle of the night. They killed my mother-in-law and three of my brothers-in-law.” She, her husband and their five children scrambled for safety with nothing but the clothes on their back.

The family fled to a displacement camp, putting them among the estimated 480,000 people who have been driven from their homes in Benue State.

But like so many in sub-Saharan Africa, the camp is dangerously ill-equipped to care for people. Badoo gave birth there. “Life is difficult in the camps. There is no running water, no proper toilet systems, and it is very dirty. The camp is surrounded by mosquitos. That is how we were living and trying to survive with our children,” says Badoo.

Food is scarce, with families receiving small rations from the government and humanitarian organisations. To supplement this, they are often forced to look elsewhere. “We go out to search for menial jobs in exchange for food to come back and eat with our children,” explains Badoo.

Sewing and schooling

With six children to feed and no income, the family’s future looked bleak – until you stepped in. Through local partners, Badoo enrolled in a six-month vocational training covering fashion design, catering and leather works. In total, 250 families in Benue State have been given this livelihood support.

“I had never known how to sew before,” shares Badoo. “But you have trained me well and I learnt very well.”

After completing the course, Badoo was provided with sewing equipment and support to rent a shop for a full year, helping her establish a sustainable business.

“I am a different person now, well-kept and looking good with beautiful dresses unlike before, because of the help that you brought to us,” she says. “I can sew and earn money. I have now rented an apartment to stay; this is all thanks to the help I received.

“This new skill that you gave me has made me send my children back to school. I have used it to raise money and rent an apartment where me and my six children are staying. You have done very well for me and my family.

“May God bless you abundantly for bringing help to the poor and displaced. The help gives us new life. I can’t thank you enough. May God bless and reward you for all the help you have given us. Thank you for bringing light back to my life.”

*Name changed for security reasons