Reflections on HOW projects

Ilorin and Akure, Nigeria

Ilorin
Ilorin with its school and Novitiate convent was tranquil and orderly. The children of Our Lady's Primary School, in their bright uniforms, gathered each morning in their large 'playfield' of rough weed and grass. Prayers and hymns were sung with gusto and accompanied by a never-to-be-forgotten tribal drumming that had the most sustained, yet complex rhythms beaten by teams of young drummers that took turns, without a beat lost. Our student members taught classes in the school and, by example, showed the way to more enlightened teaching methods. Children paid about 10 pence per week for their schooling and sometimes a child would be sent home until the bill was paid. Our concern was brought into proportion when Sr Helena told us it was just the same as getting the 'red' gas bill. The children were usually back by the next day, fully paid up! Hope staff were utilised to instruct numerous teachers from 'local' schools (some travelling for four hours). Extreme levels of attention were given to our every word. The teachers showed overwhelming gratitude for our labours and we were humbled by their aspirations in a survivalist society. Hope One World has assisted the school with books and computers and most importantly, anti-surge electric cut-outs to prevent the said computers from blowing up when the NEPA (electric supply) was on, which was not too frequently, and when it did produce a glow in a bulb it did so progressively until it burnt bright blue and usually exploded. Gifts of money were always sensitively used, mostly to buy materials and paper for the school, but recently some of the cash went to pay for a cataract operation on the wonderfully loyal school caretaker, Emanual.
Ilorin is a special place where the Sisters of Notre Dame work in difficult circumstances, often troubled by State interference. The Sisters possess a special aura and, as one of the Hope team who had no conventional religion said, 'This feels so right'.

Akure
About as far from Ilorin as it is from Lagos, Akure makes the other corner of the Nigeria/Hope triangle. Twinned with the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool with secure links developed between Bishop David Sheppard and Bishop Emanual Gbonigi, Akure was familiar with the work of Hope One World. Bishop David's wife, Grace, laid sound foundations for our teaching inputs. Here, Hope staff (the student members remained at Ilorin since one was doing her teaching practice!) taught older secondary pupils but were mostly involved with the professional development of teachers in the school as well as running courses for the 'Mothers Union'. This group of women exerted great influence and their interest in education would be ably handed down to their children. Although the school buildings are basic, with no windows or doors, they provide shelter from the sun and rain and allow the occasional breeze to cool the air of the tropical rain forest environment. One is not surprised to see the odd hen cluck its way across the classroom looking for a cool place to lay an egg. The hospitality of Bishop Emanual and his family in taking us into their home was overwhelming and, relatively, luxurious with intermittent air conditioning. The clergy of the Diocese of Akure greeted us like familiar friends, such are the bonds between Liverpool and themselves. It takes a long time to digest the experiences of Africa but especially those of Nigeria. Its people are amongst the most beautiful in spirit and character.

Peter Moore

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