The report says that the students successfully finished a microbiology course, and after a final examination one of them told her teacher that polio is caused by invisible witches that fly around at night and bite people. The lady needed the microbiology class–as well as a change in her understanding of communicable diseases.

John C. Maxwell says that attitude is important to success in life. “Success or failure in any undertaking is caused more by mental attitude than by mere mental capacities. As much as we desire high intelligence quotient (IQ) we desperately need attitude quotient (AQ).”

A Yale University president gave this advice some years ago, “Always be kind to students who get As and Bs because one of them will return to your campus as a good professor. And be kind to your C students because one of them will return and build a 2-million-dollar science laboratory on your campus.

These authorities agree that although there is very little difference in people, that very little difference makes a big difference. The difference is attitude, whether positive or negative. Godly attitudes that are guided by an appropriate worldview, skills, and resources can bring down economic, political, social, and cultural challenges of different magnitudes, depending on the time and setting.

"World Renew engages communities in discovering for themselves root causes and possible solutions to poverty, gender inequality, illiteracy, injustice, and environmental degradation."

In promoting life and community transformation through partners, staff, and volunteers, World Renew works diligently to facilitate God-honoring, sustainable, and desirable change(s) in different communities and cultures around the world. In trying to achieve this, World Renew engages communities in discovering for themselves root causes and possible solutions to poverty, hunger, gender inequality, illiteracy, injustice, environmental degradation, corruption, ill health, disaster, violence, and other issues. These efforts are yielding amazing results in different parts of the world, including remote areas in Nigeria.

Recently, the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) in Canada partnered with World Renew to facilitate community transformation through youth empowerment in Gindiri, Mangu, Akwanga, Alushi Wachuku, Shabu, and Assakio in central Nigeria. The Community Transformation through Youth Economic Empowerment project started in April 2013 by targeting youth ages 14 to 25 years old.

When designing the project, World Renew and its partner, Beacon of Hope Initiative, considered the factors that fuel poverty and unemployment in the six targeted communities. In addition to gender inequality, cultural biases, injustice, lack of resources, corruption, and lack of awareness, wrong worldview and negative attitudes are important factors that need careful attention while implementing a project such as this. Good ideas with Godly motivation, biblical worldview, and a positive attitude are extremely powerful in facilitating sustainable community transformation.

A total of 252 youth (95 males and 157 females) who are either orphans or vulnerable children, school dropouts, or people with a disability, benefited from the MCIC-funded project. The youth were involved in discussions aimed at changing or improving individual and community worldviews and attitudes about the causes and solutions to poverty and unemployment.

By God’s grace, there was great interest in the project, and the youth were very active in group discussions and actions. The project trained 101 (41 male and 60 female) youth already involved in businesses instead of the 75 planned for. Similarly, the project reached 151 (55 male and 96 female) at-risk youth with business potential instead of the planned 75. Out of the 151 at-risk youth with business potential empowered, sixty-four (18 male and 46 female) have already started new businesses. The businesses they started include hair dressing for ladies (12), barbering for boys (11), tailoring (15), bread-making (6), poultry-raising (6), and buying and selling food items (14).

Community Impact

  • In Shabu community, the project attracted the attention of a nearby community cooperative which has patterned its activities after the project’s example.
     
  • Community leaders involved in project monitoring and evaluation give good reports and speak highly of the project and what it is already doing in the affected communities. A community leader remarked that the project is “already reducing unemployment and improving the beneficiary’s standard of living apart from other gains like improved self-esteem and community ownership, which is reducing crime and animosity among families and communities."
     
  • Individuals and women’s groups in the target communities have helped 18 additional participants (13 female and 5 male) to set up their own businesses. Communities have discovered that supporting the youth, even just a small amount, helps create jobs.
     
  • Six cooperative groups have been formed, one in each of the six communities. The groups have already registered with the local and state Department of Trade and Cooperatives to ensure their legitimacy and recognition. The groups have elected leaders and developed management and operational guidelines. They have also started savings and loan activities.
     
  • Community leaders who were involved in the selection of beneficiary youth are willing and determined to encourage more youth in self-employment activities as a result of the positive outcome of the project. Some business owners in the target communities are mentoring those who have started new businesses.

Pray for Nigeria!

Thanksgiving

  • Sustained peace in Jos and other areas where World Renew partners are working in Nigeria.
  • Program beneficiaries who are actively engaged using their gifts in difficult circumstances.
  • Those who are diligently giving to support the work of World Renew in Nigeria and beyond.
  • The gracious gift of Jesus Christ who is the true Prince of Peace.

Petition Prayers

  • Help people in Nigeria continue to learn to tolerate, embrace, and appreciate diversity.
  • Intervene in the political, social, economic, and security situations in areas of unrest in Nigeria.
  • Grant wisdom to World Renew staff and partners to maximize our ministry opportunities in 2014.
  • Bless World Renew ministry supporters worldwide in their various callings and stages in life.

Blessings, 

David Tyokighir

Country Consultant 
World Renew Nigeria