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Pakistan trip, a Hasken Arewa Foundation Initiative; educating out-of-school children.

This article is about my trip to Lahore a city in Pakistan, the southern part of Asia but let me divert a bit to ask you this question, “is there a human not worthy of love?”.

Abuja is to me what Lagos is to many, always fills me up with nostalgia, the sound of the city, the noise, and the familiar buildings. Whenever I come here, I hear my childlike laughter, my youthful dreams come alive, those long walks around Asokoro the state house clinic, Gwagwalada, and the ups and downs of following the Nigerian dream. I remember I came to Abuja to become a journalist but, I didn’t think I would learn to live the master’s dream. How painful those heartaches that came with taking canal risks and the thrill that accompanies achievements aligned with His purpose. Dreams change especially if you have learned to put your purpose into His. Again I ask, “is there any unworthy of His love?”

Throughout Africa, we find seeming upheavals, the suffering in this world goes to remind us that indeed this cannot be His will that a human live in suffering, ignorance, poverty, and sorrow, neither is His will that we thrive in Sin. So just like home, Pakistan, wails for when He would appear and who would come with aid in His name.

Yes, our Afrika, and specifically Nigeria still has a major ongoing conflict of out-of-school children, the troubling Almajri system that breeds children for any form of social ills especially being recruited for all forms of terrorism. According to recent UNESCO statistics, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan have the highest figures for out-of-school children, what would you do about this? Are these children worthy of your love and support?

While I anticipated what awaits us in Pakistan, I observed the sound of shuffling tired feet and long stares of curiosity. What a mixed race we are, with one common thing hopefully; treasured and reassured by a faithful Savior. The dawn was of the sky so breathless as I watched.

  “I love them too” A Soft Clear but strong voice affirming His purpose. Yes! With everlasting love, unmoving. 1 John 4: 16-end. He would want to see us all. Every race and person. Seen and hard not just seen in our walk with Him, silence is not a necessity now, we should speak of His Love and become that physical love that can be seen and touched.

This beautiful but unfamiliar city is a contradiction from Nigeria. I and hubby took a trip to remote villages in Pakistan and had a great fellowship with colleagues. We found Pakistan to be a place of strong patriarchal traditional beliefs, both Christian and Muslim hold to these beliefs. Women still without equal rights, poverty, hunger, and slavery are evident. Tears were always close by as I watched women and girls still under such subjugation. There I also saw innocence, beauty, and hope that fueled the faith to be like Love Himself. Family sticks together no matter what, such warmth and godly hospitality were so calming.

On the 26^th of November which is on Saturday, we took a trip back to Nizam Din in Punjab, a border to India, and a local government in Lahore. Our host John took us to his school project called “Lamp Light” an educational setting set up to educate out-of-school children, especially the victims of slavery. Spoke to the children about the importance of education and the role it plays in their community, and how they owe it to their families to make it and change the narrative of poverty and slavery that they are all victims of today but not so in the nearest future. A place women still have a lot of work to get free from the shackles of the patriarchal system. Yes, they deserve every love and support.

Anticipate a new partnership between Mr. And Mrs. John and Hasken Arewa Foundation to reach out taking hope through education to the doorsteps of children and young women whose dream is to be able to see a reason to dream.

Will you join us today? The process of enrollment of beneficiaries has begun. We are starting from the middle belt and northern Nigeria…..

Chat me up on whatsapp here👉09018826292 or

Donate here👉Hasken Rayuwa Afrika

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