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this page Newsletters - The International Year of the Family
Nigeria
It is a decade since the International Year of the Family. 1994 was the same year the Mothers' Union at Mary Sumner House London, planned training for MU trainers worldwide. We trained first at Mindolo Zambia, later in Selly Oak Birmingham.
Since 1994 our trainers have organised workshops for wives of church leaders. We have trained them in leadership roles, group dynamics, communication, conflict management, Bible studies, adult education; community development, etc. We have been getting feedback on improved relationship with our leaders at Church, Parish, Archdeaconry and Diocesan levels. With attendance at literacy classes established both in towns and villages sponsored by both Church and Government, our women can now read and write. Within this period, the dreaded disease HIV/AIDS emerged.
Awareness programmes have been mounted. In the Diocese of Awka, the Archbishop has trained a lot of personnel to get into the nooks and crannies of the Province to preach the “one man one partner” message. For Family, as was revealed to me, is an acronym for Father And Mother In The Lord's Yard.
More people have come to receive Christ into their lives. More new churches have sprung up, some to preach the good news, others to steal the sheep and consume them. It is discovered that some poor families have grown poorer within the decade. Some families have migrated due to religious intolerance and the Church is rehabilitating them.
In the decade, our environment has grown increasingly unhealthy. The Government has not provided places for refuse disposal and in consequence, the whole place is littered with polythene and filth. The farmer may soon find it difficult to till the soil for planting as the unburnt polythene will cover up the soil. The Anglican Diocese of Jos has published a handbook on a campaign for clean and safe environment.
Glory to God for changes and thanks to Him for using men and women.
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