Every Lent, we bless one of our global partners with a financial gift. This year, we are helping to expand Zambiri House, a children’s ministry center founded and led by Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi and Mama Gloria Kwashi in Jos, Nigeria.
The Story
More than 400 Nigerian children are currently housed, educated, and discipled at Zambiri Home’s flourishing campus. The Kwashis officially adopted and opened their home to 60 of these orphans. Amid Nigeria’s ongoing violence, a second campus will offer stability, hope, and the Lord’s love to increasing numbers of at-risk children and orphans.
As a result, the Kwashis purchased land to create an additional campus in Pashkin. This new campus will include dormitories, classrooms, staff housing, and additional educational facilities.
The vision for the new campus is long-term sustainability. The land is suitable for farming to grow food for the children and staff. Thanks to a generous donation, the Kwashis will be able to build a bakery on the campus. The bakery will provide both food and income for the ministry, but also professional training for older children and employment for graduates.
Unfortunately, political, economic, and religious tensions in Nigeria continue to deteriorate. Many more children will be orphaned, abandoned, or displaced in this decade. “Perhaps a million children are missing school for fear they will be snatched,” according to The Economist.* As the need rises, so does the Kwashis’ determination to serve as many orphans as possible. This past year, they had to turn 150 orphans away from Zambiri Home for lack of space.
“Through Zambiri I can now boast that I have a future.” – Bridget Kwashi
Pray for:
- For the physical and spiritual thriving of the 400+ children of Zambiri Home
- That many more orphans would receive holistic care at the new campus
- That both campuses bless the surrounding communities
Church of the Resurrection and the Diocese of Jos enjoy a shared history of nearly 25 years of partnership. Our past Good Friday Gifts for Jos have helped to build a medical clinic, purchase medical supplies and equipment, and buy land for Zambiri.
Violence in Nigeria on the Rise
Violence of all types is on the rise all over Nigeria. Christians continue to suffer immensely: between January and July of last year, over 3,400 Christians, including priests and pastors, were murdered. Four out of 5 Christian martyrs were from Nigeria, according to the Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List. Additionally, “Hundreds of thousands have perished because of hunger and disease caused by fighting. More than 2 million have fled their homes… some 2,200 were kidnapped for ransom. Perhaps a million children are missing school for fear they will be snatched”* With minimal protection from authorities, many are at risk of losing their homes, their livelihoods, or, devastatingly, their lives.
*The Economist, October 2021, p. 14
