Rural Scholarship and Tutoring Program

The Need: “Most rural communities in Nigeria tend to be the last to hear about any news on major life events going on in the bigger cities in their States or nationally, talk less of the rest of the world. During the COVID-19 global pandemic period, most residents in these rural communities were not only confused as to what was going on, but were not always informed on how the virus was spreading and why all their neighbors in the cities and larger communities were facing lockdowns to contain the pandemic. This new reality restricted their ability to sell their agricultural produce easily on major roads which they relied on for sustenance and was their main life support”. 


The Vision: “Conceived by a seasoned missionary who spent 22 years in rural communities to create a program to visit the rural villages and to take the necessary action to inform residents in his community on how to protect their families and neighbors during these times”.    

The Impact: “There are about 50 villages and up to 10,000 residents that make up the entire Wasimi community. This mission trip was to reach about 1000 residents in 3 village communities that are only a part of the Wasimi community and to sensitize them on COVID 19 virus, distribute Palliatives and food. During this process, the sponsors assessed the need to add academic Scholarships and after School programs as part of a long term effective strategy to encourage academic excellence for the next generation”. 
Lessons Learned: 
• A little kind gesture does have a huge impact on uplifting People's lives.  
• We also observed how grateful the residents were with the little they received. They felt loved and remembered, and that was a “faith booster” to all the contributors/supporters.
• In connection to faith, we saw first-hand how charity work easily opens the doors of lands and heart of people to receive the gospel. “One act of kindness may mean more than a thousand messages” we can try to share.
Post-Tour - Plan: 
• Short term Support: Distribute safety masks and share bags of rice with residents.
• On-going Support Planned: Award Scholarships in Wasimi town to the smartest Male and Female Student at the secondary (Grades 7 -12) school level to encourage academic excellence.
Best girl and boy in JSS3; Best Girl and Boy in SS1 and SS2  
• Pay for a teacher for an after school tutoring program to improve math and English skills at the primary (Grade 1 – 6) school level and eventually the secondary school level.
The Goodwill Message of Faith: 
Even though these residents reside in rural areas, they are also valuable members of a larger community and hence this outreach mission. A message of faith, inspired by the prophetic trip by prophet Elijah to Zarephath in 1st Kings 17 v.7-14, during a time of Famine. “God did not forget them through this Pandemic period.”  
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