The vision realized

Some of you I've sat down with over coffee and spent hours discussing my many dreams and aspirations. You know of my many opinions about aiding African nations, too. You know that I see America's, and other nation's efforts of throwing money at a crippled African nation only furthers their dependence on foreign governments. You know that African colonization has only further driven rifts between tribes and nations. And as we left those nations to fend for themselves, we left a people to solve the problems we, in a sense, had a part in creating. I wrote an essay about it, Solving Africa's Health Issues, in my masters program that I condensed and made "reader friendly" if you are interested in reading it. Just click the link.  

I have an uneasiness with organizations in Africa that are run mainly by foreign workers. I don't think that most people from foreign nations truly know what's best for another culture, myself included. It's only those that have lived the culture day in and day out that know what works, and what doesn't. I knew that when I decided to come to Africa I wanted to come to an organization that was run by African people, from the top down.

So, when I came across Faith Alive, I was instantly intrigued. Faith Alive was started by a Nigerian doctor named Chris Isichei. He and his wife have created a multifaceted clinic and ministry that serves well over 2,500 people. It is run almost entirely by Nigerians. And those positions that aren't, are seeking full-time Nigerian replacements. Dr. Chris has a vision for this country that looks much like the early church. Not only does the clinic serve the health needs of those near and far, but they also rehabilitate broken homes, give housing to single mothers and provide skills for those who want to make a better life for themselves and their family.

It provides jobs for an eclectic group of men and women, most of them around my age, just starting out in their careers. It provides volunteer opportunities for those looking to make a difference in this country. But, more than anything else, Faith Alive gives hope to everyone it touches. It shows patients, volunteers, government officials and countless employees that someone out there is fighting for their community, their village, their city, their country. As Faith Alive expands, it builds satellite clinics throughout different states in Nigeria. It's almost like the birthing of a unified health system. It's only just the beginning. The beginning of something organized enough to provide a semblance of stability for a country that has been torn apart by years of conflict and hopelessness. 

Comments

[Diane]

Stephen, I agree with you whole-heartedly.

Have you ever heard of or read the book "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan? It's specifically about missions work, but it also discusses how we in the West are doing great harm to the rest of the world when we see ourselves as the sole saviors of everybody - he talks about how we should, if we need to go, pass the torch on to the people who know the culture better than we do. BUT we should support first of all the people who are already there and are working in their own country...

I also recently read "What is the What" by Dave Eggers - it's the autobiography of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan... really eye-opening.