St. mary's Parish Alverstoke Call Of Africa Project

We have the answer. Why not help the Community of Wusasa, Northern Nigeria, by helping them with equipment and/or livestock. Photographs of the the results of your gifts are at the bottom of this page. Click Here to go to the Sponsorship Form

BACKGROUND

The link between St Mary's and Wusasa started in 1998, developed since by both Communities visiting one another. We have provided essential practical help, for example, by providing borehole wells for the local community, guaranteeing them clean water, roofing the new Anglican cathedral and creating the Alverstoke Computer Centre for the local school.

Whilst some of the Wusasa community lack many of the basic essentials of life, like water and nutritional food, they remain positive and upbeat.

Life is hard, many of the children as well as the adults spend the majority of their time cultivating the fields, or looking after livestock. There is not much time for play. No mains drainage, means sewage is not dealt with in a satisfactory manner. Nevertheless despite their hardships they remain happy, loving and very faithful, which can be quite difficult in an area which is Muslim dominated.

HELPING THEM HELP THEMSELVES

The people of Wusasa do not want charity, what they want is a helping hand.
To this end we have liaised with Bishop Lamido, Bishop of Wusasa, and investigated how best we can help. He has suggested the `Wusasa Wishes' project, whose main principal is NOT JUST GIVING MONEY, but helping the community to help themselves.

The basic philosophy of the Project is that St Mary's provides the funding for the initial purchase (we are concentrating on oxen & ploughs and sewing machines) and the recipient raises the equivalent cost, to fund the next purchase. In this way, significant support can be given for a relatively small outlay and also involves the people of Wusasa, helping them in a practical way towards a better life and more importantly self-sufficiency.

So how can you help?

We have all been in the position of wondering what to give the "person who has everything". This scheme enables you to "give" oxen, plough, sewing machine or goat to the people of Wusasa and dedicating it to that person. Christmas or birthday cards will be provided.
It is intended to keep those who kindly donate informed of the use of the equipment or livestock, by establishing a direct link with Wusasa.

So what are the options?

Oxen and Plough

There are eleven villages in the diocese of Wusasa and each would benefit from a plough, pulled by two oxen.

The ploughs cost £125 and oxen £250 a pair.

Sewing Machines

Sewing machines can not only be used to make clothes for family members and friends, but also to make items to sell.

They cost £125 each.

Goats

Goats can provide milk, meat and hides, and of course kids. This section of the project is slightly different in as much as we are not asking the recipients to pay for the goats but just to pass the first set of kids onto the next needy family.

The cost of a goat is £20.

Your support is very much appreciated

and makes a very real difference.

(See below)

CONTACT DETAILS

If you would like further information about the `Wusasa Wishes' Project, please contact:

The Parish Centre

Green Road,

Alverstoke,

Hants

PO12 2ET

Tel: 023 9258 0551

Click here to go to the Sponsorship / Donation Form for printing.

Please send completed forms to Brian Russell or they can be left at St Mary's Parish Office, Green Road, Alverstoke.

Wusasa Wishes - Making Dreams Come True

The Following photos were taken on the 17th May, 2007 when the gifts of ploughs, oxen, goats and sewing machines purchased as a result of the Wusasa Wishes scheme were distributed to the beneficiaries in the Diocese of Wusasa.

The distribution of the items was done at Katsinawa Gedege, a village in Gedege D.C.C, Nigeria on 17th May, 2007 at 12:00 noon.

The Wusasa Wishes Philosophy - helping the community to help themselves - In action.

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