According to Awoko newspaper, it was reported that on the 27th September 2018, 100 pupils received a scholarship package worth $10 000 from Pastor Chris and the Christ Embassy Inner City Mission.
The package of school supplies included essentials that would help equip these children in the school year. Included in the packages were bags, books, uniforms and stationary. Everything a pupil needs for an effective learning experience. Local Sierra Leone resident and Christ Embassy member, Pastor Chidi Onubia, noted that “the kind support is to get deprived, vulnerable and excluded children enrolled into school. “
Pastor Onubia went on to state that through this initiative “We help children get back to school by paying their school fees and providing them with back to school kits as most indigent children cannot afford to go to school, and many who started are forced to drop out due to lack of funds.” Milton Mansaray, Permanent Secretary and Ministry of Education reportedly described the initiative as a “commitment to saving the future.” This is Christ Embassy’s mission.
A Massive Campaign
The InnerCity Mission Back to School campaign was created in order to send 20,000 kids back to school. Many of these children have never even gotten the opportunity to attend school in the first place. Those who have, are often forced to abandon their education and drop out of school, leaving them with an incomplete and limited education. As a result of this, these children are ultimately unable to support themselves and end up being trapped in an ongoing cycle of poverty.
The InnerCity Mission Back to School campaign has backed a number of successful efforts around the world. Another recent effort was the Lusaka, Zambia campaign. The region is infamous for its poor education and according to a UNICEF report, “65% of children in rural Zambia are deprived of several basic needs of life, including education.”
Small Beginnings
The campaign initially began with the goal of sending 67 children back to school under the ‘Gift your birthday initiative‘. The idea was to share birthday gifts with people who need it the most. The notion behind this, being that birthdays are a wonderful opportunity to share ‘Gods’ love with those in need’.
The campaign, instantly took to another level and “in a matter of days, the response was just amazing.” The campaign managed to fully attain their goal within 10 days. Although this was great success, there are unfortunately still reportedly 10.5 million children in Nigeria alone who are not receiving an education. This is a why the Inner-City Mission continues in full force to this day.
Making a Difference
Pastor Amaechi Udeaku, an InnerCity Mission partner explains why this effort is crucial for the youth of Africa. In an interview discussing the campaign’s impact, Pastor Udeaku said “these children are perhaps young now but soon “they will grow up, if we are not educating them, we are creating a future that no one wants to live in, I thought that helping them get back to school, helping them getting to the path of learning would give them a beautiful platform to become successes in life”
Another campaign partner, Pastor Oyakhire Jamgbadi shared how inspired he was by the efforts. In an interview he expressed how happy he was to be a part of such a noble effort that is empowering the future of Africa. “Education is the most important thing you can give to a child because it liberates them”
Pastor Oyakhire Jamgbadi also shared how the campaign provided the platform and the infrastructure that made his contribution possible, I was the number one fundraiser” His contribution even motivated others to give too, inspiring his entire family and church community to make their contributions as well.
The Testimonies
Thousands of children have been impacted by the Inner-City Mission and some have come forward to share their stories. Daniel and Olivia Abraham grew up without a mother. Their father could barely provide for their family “sometimes we couldn’t even eat”. It seemed that there was no hope.
Olivia Abraham also expressed the unbearable hardships she faced. She grew up not being able to afford school tuition and even found herself living on the streets.
When Christ Embassy’s InnerCity Mission came to their town and surprised them with this opportunity, their lives were changed. “Our future is bright” said Daniel, now a high school pupil on the path to success. Olivia said, “my life has taken a different turn all because of the Inner-City Misison”.
Christ Embassy’s InnerCity Mission has also made many achievements throughout the world. This initiative “is breaking barriers to education by helping poor and vulnerable children access quality education and skills needed for a better future.”