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A look into the lives of refugees fleeing from Boko Haram
Since their emergence in northeastern Nigeria in 2002, militants in the terrorist organization Boko Haram have set about the task of remaking West Africa into their own image. Seeking to eliminate differing ideologies, they have killed thousands of people of various backgrounds. Often overlooked are the faces of those that survive.
Throughout Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, millions of people have fled their homes seeking safety and freedom wherever it can be found. Many of these people have discovered the Diffa region of Niger as that place.
In many ways, this migratory journey takes the biggest toll on children. Leaving livelihoods behind at Lake Chad—the only surface water source for hundreds of miles—families are not only losing their source of income but parents are also losing the ability to pass on important skills to the next generation. Children cannot learn to fish when they grow up in a desert. They cannot learn how to herd animals when all the animals had to be left behind. They cannot farm in an area when the soil yields little if anything.
Further, there are few or no schools in refugee camps. With the cessation of conflict nowhere in sight, children are growing up frightened of the world around them. Their time is divided between sleep and hunger.
The Diffa region, while comparatively safer than the villages refugees have been fleeing, is wrought with its own challenges. During the long hot season, temperatures rise well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. During cold season, nighttime desert temperatures are much lower. In the coming months, the rainy season will begin, bringing sporadic but heavy downpours. Often living with naught but a tarp above their heads, people suffer in this harsh environment.
Steady desertification has rendered harvests insufficient even for the local Nigerien population. Food insecurity has reached chronic levels as the population has steadily increased in size, now double what it was before. Diffa is a region struggling to feed its people. Samaritan’s Purse is actively addressing these food needs by distributing rations of corn, beans, oil, and other necessities to the displaced, the widows, and the poorest host community households.
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Despite the challenges, people still have hope for a better future. With increased military action by the government and the coordinated efforts of surrounding countries, security has been improving. Refugees look to the rainy season ahead with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the chance to try and grow food again. They see the potential for grasses to grow, trees and bushes to recover, and animals to once again have forage. Humanitarian aid and government food and water initiatives give them the resources they need to persevere and the peace of knowing they have not been forgotten.
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You are visiting the international website for Samaritan’s Purse, headquartered in the United States.
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Children who complete all 12 lessons receive a certificate at graduation. This official memento of their accomplishment is a treasured keepsake for many.
In addition to receiving a certificate, The Greatest Journey graduates receive a New Testament in their own language. This may be the first copy of the Scriptures they or their family have ever owned.
This colorful 12-lesson resource equips the student to follow along with the story, memorize verses, and do activities in class or as homework.
This in-depth manual helps instructors apply Bible stories to their students’ lives to encourage the boys and girls to re-tell them to others. With the help of this resource, The Greatest Journey teachers are taught to be good storytellers who ask questions of children to keep them engaged. This method allows nonliterate cultures to participate and equips teachers to continue discipleship lessons with their students long after they complete the workbook.
Personal Care Items
Examples include toothbrushes, combs, washcloths, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
The Greatest Gift Gospel Booklet
This booklet invites children to receive God’s Greatest Gift, His Son, Jesus Christ. It is used in more than 80 languages.
The Ministry Partner Guide
This resource equips local churches with information on how to organize a distribution, share the Gospel, and invite boys and girls to participate in follow-up discipleship.
Clothing and Accessories
Examples Include t-shirts (size adult large or smaller), socks, hats, gloves, sunglasses, hairclips, jewelry, watches, flashlights, batteries, plastic storage boxes, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Other
If you have a question about your product or service as a gift-in-kind, please contact us via the form below.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Locations
Before being shipped overseas, each gift must be inspected and prepared. Millions of shoeboxes and thousands of volunteers take up a lot of space. You can help us each fall by donating empty warehouse space to be used as a processing center. A facility from 30,000 to 100,000 square feet is needed near Atlanta.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Printing
After receiving a shoebox gift, many children have the opportunity to learn more about the Gospel through our Biblical discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. You can donate printing for leaders’ guides, lesson books, or New Testaments.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
A step-by-step suggested presentation of the Gospel appears in the Ministry Partner Guide along with a series of two-panel posters that illustrate the text. This guide fosters consistency in how the Good News is presented during Operation Christmas Child outreach events.
Este recurso a color de 12 lecciones permite al estudiante a seguir la historia, memorizar versículos, y hacer actividades en clase o como tarea en casa.
Completo con ilustraciones a color, este folleto de historias del Evangelio presenta a Cristo a niños y niñas y los invita a seguirlo. ¡Algunos niños consideran esta pieza de su caja de regalo como su favorita!
En la Guía de Compañeros de Ministerio aparece una presentación del Evangelio paso a paso, junto con una serie de posters de dos paneles que ilustran el texto. Esta guía promueve consistencia en cómo presentar las Buenas Nuevas durante los eventos de evangelismo de Operation Christmas Child.
Este manual detallado ayuda a los instructores a aplicar historias Bíblicas en las vidas de sus estudiantes para animar a los niños y niñas a volverlas a contar a otros. Con la ayuda de este recurso, se enseñan a los maestros de La Gran Aventura a ser buenos contadores de historias que hacen preguntas a los niños para mantenerlos atentos. Este método permite a las culturas analfabetas a participar y capacita a los maestros a continuar las lecciones de discipulado con sus estudiantes mucho después de que ellos hayan completado el libro de trabajo.
Los niños que completan las 12 lecciones reciben un certificado en la graduación. Este momento oficial de su logro es un recuerdo preciado para muchos.
Folleto de Evangelismo El Mejor Regalo
Este folleto invita a los niños a recibir el Mejor Regalo de parte de Dios—Su Hijo Jesucristo. Se usa en más de 80 idiomas.
Guía de Compañeros de Ministerio
Este recurso capacita a las iglesias locales con información de cómo organizar una distribución, compartir el Evangelio e invitar a niños y niñas a participar en el discipulado de seguimiento.
Además de recibir un certificado, los graduados de La Gran Aventura reciben un Nuevo Testamento en su propio idioma. Esta puede ser la primera copia de las Escrituras que ellos o sus familias han tenido.
Complete with colorful illustrations, this Gospel story booklet introduces boys and girls to Christ and invites them to follow Him. Some children find this piece to be their favorite part of their shoebox gift!
Machinery
Equipment can be given outright, loaned to us for a short time, or donated as a rental.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
School Supplies
Examples include pens, pencils and sharpeners, erasers, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Toys
Examples include stuffed animals, dolls, small cars, balls, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Quality Crafts
Examples include metalworking, woodworking, knitting/sewing, leather, beading, children’s craft projects, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Transportation
In the U.S. alone, millions of shoebox gifts are collected at thousands of drop-off sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. We are looking for companies interested in donating or discounting transportation on a state or national level.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Advertising
Your gift of print, radio, television, or online advertising or airtime can have a tremendous impact by inspiring more individuals to pack shoebox gifts.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Promotions
Gifts such as tickets to events or attractions can provide exciting incentives that can be used during Operation Christmas Child special promotions or contests.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®