JCTP - Japan consider the poor

Vocational and skills acquisition training, combined with improving the standard of living and renovation of Homes and Centers of the less privileged, continues to be on of the major focuses of our work in the Eastern region of the country.

The consolidation of the constructed vocational training centers attached to the Homes for disabled persons, continues to progress. The income from the three completed vocational workshops set up last year (Tailoring/fashion design, Barbing Salon & Cobbler workshop). Additional income is also being generated from extra rooms we constructed, which are being let out to local businesses. This year we plan to secure sponsorship for and complete the remaining two vocational study workshops; the Computer science/Business center and the Carpentry/Arts & Crafts workshop.

One of the highlights this year was the official opening and ceremony do dedicate the newly complete second boys dormitory and the Enugu Chehire Home. The residents were so thankful for the new facility as it created a better standard of living and will also enable the Home to take in additional youths suffering from Polio. The applicants have been on the waiting list for some time, but have been unable to gain admittance due to previously restricted boarding facilities.

The most fulfilling and rewarding part of these ongoing projects have been the responses of the residents and people with whom we've been interacting and supporting. As one of the 19 year-old male residents affected with Polio commented; "Many people come and sympathize or come by to drop off rice of goods but nobody make me feel like you people…that you really care about us as individuals and are concerned about our welfare, are actually do something about it. Thank you!"

This has made it clear to us at Family Care that no matter the sacrifice or effort, a lasting positive impact is being made on the lives of countless individuals. This has been mad possible through the Lord's miraculous supply and the giving and support of our many sponsors, who through their selfless giving of materials, supplies, food items, financial contributions and personal investment of time, have enabled the projects to continue and be a success.

The ability to walk, see and hear is something most of us take for granted. Many don't realize all that is involves for the ones who have to go through life without the simple pleasure of hearing a bird or seeing a sunset. Over the last three years we have been working with children who accept this and go on in life, even thought it may be difficult. We have spent many hours trying to help the lives of these underprivileged children who don't get the treatment, care and training they deserve.

During the last year of 2001 we have increased our assistance with the prospective in mind of helping them to be able to expand their centers and bring in more children who don't have the sufficient education they need.

Our ongoing projects of building different vocational training programs have been coming along well. We have been able to set in order the fish farm and over which should be running and producing by the beginning of the year. The older students will get direct training in this and take over the job once they have learned the skill.

With much delight we have seen many of the older children graduate from our different courses. In our tailoring classes, the young graduates leave the enter not as they were, sitting around their houses doing nothing, but to jobs that have been found for them, or in some cases opening up their own small tailoring shops.

Yet another part of our work here takes place on the outskirts of Ibadan, in St. Mary's Hospital. Our main role concerning the Hospital's aid is delivering collected medical supplies and basic food items, in support of the selfless sisters working there.

Sister Bernard McCarroll said, "here in St. Mary's Hospital we encounter many sick in distress. There is a constant need to render help to those who are very ill and without the wherewithal to help themselves. The types of patients that receive help from your contribution are as follows: sick children with malnutrition and serious illness, cerebral malaria, and meningitis, tetanus, burns, chest infections, measles and typhoid.

Patients of all ages come in, most in need of urgent surgical intervention, where quick action is desperately required. It is life saving having many food provisions, equipment, clothing, and predominately the medicine you bring for the many patients who have nothing to pay, but so desperately need the treatment."

Our aim is to continue to help those in the task of treating the sick and destitute of Oyo State; as well as providing an education for many neglected children who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to live a complete and meaningful life.

Within 2001 Maiduguri has "joined the ranks" of cities with regular ongoing projects.

Picture a simple structure, sun baked with cracks in every wall. There's a bus to one side, obviously not in use. Inside one room a class goes on with a blind teacher and about ten students. The students smile and greet you and proudly show you how they can write Braille. They are sharing their slates and stylus during class to do it. In another room an older student shows us his skills with what seems to be the only Braille typewriter there. He then moves to a normal typewriter, feels swiftly the keys and fits paper inside. After completing a quick typing interval, he shows us a perfectly typed 'You are welcome to the Borno Special School of the Blind'.

After various renovation and the refurbishments of their bedrooms and classrooms, we are now working on improving their school equipment, which will expand their learning capabilities. Setting up a vocational training center for the blind children will be the next great challenge for us, as they start to learn and master the trade of sewing. In the future they will be able to sell their work, thus enabling them to support themselves.

Working with several vocational training centers in Maiduguri has shown us the extensive need for this kind of training all over the State. Many girls and married women are not able to attend school, so our main focus will be providing them with education and training in an acceptable environment.

Even though the basic structures have been built, the long-term financial support needed to keep the centers operational is barely substantial. In turn we have assisted them in expanding their workshops by providing the equipment and funding needed for their classes. This will allow more to enroll and have the opportunity to learn a trade.