New Centre to Support Boko Haram Victims Opens

Anne Falola OLA, reports from Abuja in Nigeria where the newly opened Maria Centre begins supporting those displaced by conflict.

In the past two years, many men, women and children have fled the troubled parts of the Northeast to seek safety in other parts of the country, while the war with the Islamic Fundamentalists Boko Haram rages on. In Abuja, we have identified four camps for Internally Displaced People (IDP). Most of them are in very poor conditions. It is indeed very sad to see the expressionless faces of children and young people who have been exposed to so much violence and have had to flee from their homes and region. Together with other volunteers, we organize make-shift schools and we offer our friendship and basic material assistance to alleviate their pain. While the government is fighting hard to overcome the militants and disarm them, very little attention is paid to the victims who have lost so much and virtually live each day on the charity of others.

                                              Sr. Anne with Children from the IDP Camp at official opening of the Maria Centre.

As a way of moving forward, on the 16^th of February 2016, we, the OLA sisters with other volunteers inaugurated the Maria Centre. The aim of the Maria Centre is to accompany the young girls and vulnerable women in these camps. We hope that through our activities, the women will find friendship and trust, which would rebuild their self-esteem and confidence. With the help of volunteers and donors, we hope to help the young girls and women to acquire new skills, like sewing, cookery, crafts, etc. Many of them are already looking forward to these activities which shall begin, please God in March.

We hope that Maria Centre will bring fresh hope to a very sad situation, where the displaced persons struggle to overcome their trauma and rebuild their lives. Whatever the future holds for these people, we pray that they would be able to smile and our little love and support will help to erase the trauma they have been through. 

By Sr. Anne Falola, OLA.

Below, some more pictures from Abuja. All images courtesy of Sr. Anne Falola, OLA.

                                                         Sr. Juliet Ifediba OLA, with children of an IDP Camp in Abuja.

                                                     OLA Sisters and friends on their way to an IDP Camp in Abuja.