Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness reach the most unexpected places and become part of something much greater than we imagined.

Recently, we were privileged to meet some of our valued supporters whose generosity continues to sustain our ministries and enable us to transform many lives. Among them were the Apostolic Workers of the Archdiocese of Armagh, whose faithful support has long been a source of encouragement and hope. Through their kindness, we received thoughtful gifts for the mission – children’s sweaters, some financial assistance, and sacramental material. Of particular note were the 46 sweaters entrusted to me for distribution across our various ministries engaged in child welfare in West Africa Area. Yet, as events unfolded, Providence revealed another purpose for these gifts – one that highlighted both the extraordinary resilience of women in crisis and the far-reaching compassion of our brothers and sisters in Armagh Archdiocese.

On 11th August 2025, during a journey from Benue State to Abuja, Nigeria, we were stopped at Yelewata community. The road ahead had been blocked – not by anger alone, but by courage. Women, many carrying babies in their arms and youth of the community sat across the expressway, refusing to move. Fresh corpses of their husbands lay at the road side, covered with palm leaves. Only hours earlier, precisely at 6am on that day, their village had once again come under attack by bandits. This came just weeks after the June 2025 raid that claimed over 200 lives – mostly children – while they slept. Despite the presence of security forces, no help had come.

In their grief, the women took a stand that day. Their silent blockade was an act of defiance and dignity, declaring: “We may be broken, but we will not be ignored.” It was a cry for justice, a demand for protection and a sign of the unyielding spirit of mothers who will do anything to safeguard life. Their message that day was simple and clear, they wanted the State Governor to withdraw the Army, Police and any other security personnel stationed in their community since they were not offering the needed security for their children. At this stage the Commissioner of Police had arrived to negotiate with the community leaders and possibly persuade the women to undo the blockade. Meanwhile, all vehicles on the road that day, stood still for hours.

Not far from the road lay an IDP camp – home to families displaced by the June attack. The sight of the camp from where I was standing beside our car, was heart-wrenching – Most shelters were open and unsuitable for children, especially newborns. I imagined their experiences and the struggle to stay warm at night. At that moment, my thoughts went to the 46 sweaters from the Apostolic Workers in Armagh – a new purpose has been found for them! Instead of distributing them across different projects as earlier planned, they were redirected to Yelewata – to wrap warmth around babies and children who had lost nearly everything. What seemed like a simple gift became a lifeline – soft threads of love linking the compassion of Armagh to the courage of Yelewata’s women.

When the sweaters were handed out, the relief and joy were beyond words. Mothers smiled through tears, whispering prayers of thanks for people they had never met. In that moment, the generous hands of the Apostolic Workers reached across continents to touch lives in the most tangible way – reminding us all that hope is born when compassion meets courage.
Yelewata, a farming community of the Tiv people, stands today as a testament to endurance. Their homes may be gone, but their spirit endures. Their women have shown the world what steadfast faith and unity look like. And through the Apostolic Workers of Armagh – whose quiet generosity continues to echo in distant lands – these families have felt the embrace of a global community that refuses to forget them.
From my heart, and on behalf of the families of Yelewata, I extend deepest gratitude to the Apostolic Workers in Armagh. Your love became a sign of God’s tenderness – turning threads of wool into threads of hope. Thank you!

Annoymous
Photos of the IDP camps not captured due to security concerns.