News
 | On the 21st of August, we had the first day of a new program, which we call Power Girls. We invited girls of the agegroup between 12 and 16 years to come and spend a day with us, to learn about their own dignity and value in life and how to grow and develop into happy and mature women. We plan that the same group of about 30 girls can come 4 times, within the span of a year, and then another group can be invited after that. |
The day started with welcome and some snacks, and then one of the postulants, gave them a short talk on personal hygiene. There were a number of questions. A break followed, and then we gave out some items of clothing, towels, soap and belts to the girls in groups of 5 so that they could try the things in peace and quiet. There were games, then a short prayer, then lunch and another time of games and fun. A second health talk followed, this time on menstruation and how to care for oneself. We closed with a short feedback and prayersongs and then the girls went home happily. The time in all was from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both the girls and the sisters were happy with the results and think that we achieved our goals for this day. As the name says, we want to empower the girls to grow up and mature. In the Nigerian Society, girls are lowest in the rating, they get food last, are sent to school last, and have to work hardest both in the fields and in caring for their siblings. On November 20th, the second day will follow.
On the weekend July 30 to August 1, we have a Vocation Weekend in Garam, Niger State. Interested young women are invited to come and join us, hear something about religious life in general and our congregation, and have interviews with the Sisters.
Come and join us in prayer, talks and discernment. Please call Sr. Chika or Sr. Eliza, 080 345 115 26 or 070 301 118 46 or write e-mail to phjcnigeria@yahoo.com.
The weekend begins Friday night and goes to Sunday night. Please let us know if you want to join us.
| In July 2010, we had to buy a bus for our children in Mgbele. As not all of them can walk very well, we need the means of transport. It seats all 10 children plus some of the Sisters, and the Sisters can drive it easily. It also manages the bad roads well as the wheels are quite high. All are happy especially as the children have been promised to come to Garam for a week in August when there are school holidays. They will come with their own bus ... |  |
In July 2010 there was a big feast in the children's house. We celebrated Olue's 4th birthday with a party for many children. Since December, Olue has developed well. She learnt to laugh and to play, she eats well although she ist still too small for her age. She is like a twin to Chikamma who will be 3 by the end of this year. We made it a habit to celebrate at least one birthday really big for each of our children. They need to feel that they are indeed welcomed and loved in this world, even with all the hardships they went through.
March 25th, 2010
On the Feast of the Annunciation, we had the happy event of accepting seven young women as novices in our Congregation: Sr. Chidalu, Sr. Uchenna, Sr. Maureen, Sr. Chinedum, Sr. Ifeoma, Sr. Onyinyechi and Sr. Chinwenmeri
And nine women are now postulants: Felicia, Edna, Priscilla, Christiana, Dorcas, Chizoba, Mary Rose, Mayfred and Bola.
For pictures see 'Formation PHJC'
March 15th, 2010
In Azhin Khasa, where we started a pre-school in 2008, now the villagers donated land and help us to build a real school for their children. Many people are not only interested but personally committed to this undertaking. We hope that by August, the building with four class rooms will be finished plus a toilet and a borehole - for which we asked the German Embassy for support.
Sisters Chika and Esther are mainly involved with this building work.
| March, 2nd Olue learnt to laugh again. Here she plays in a tent with Chikamma, the youngest in the house - Olue is 3, Chikamma 2 years of age. This is the child that was found almost starved only just before Christmas. So quickly life can change. |
On March 1st, 8 new aspirants joined the congregation in Garam. They are from five different tribes and language groups - Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Effik, Urbolo. If all goes well, they will be postulants by March 25th.
February 14th, 2010
Olue, the child which we found just before Christmas more than half starved (see News 2009), is recuperating.
Here she shows off her new Sunday best - Nigerian style. All other girls had pink dresses, so she had one too.
What is more important: she gains weight, learns to play and to laugh, and is happy. 
February 2nd, 2010
Today we heard that the Sister in Auchi has been freed. It was Sr. Rosita of the SND congregation, a social worker. The Union of Catholic Mothers started a demonstration in Auchi, and then the Sister was released. In the information , we were asked to go on praying for her healing, so we do not know whether she was hurt, but certainly there is trauma after such an experience. Thank God it was not for long.
January 29th, 2010
Thank God things have quietened down a bit. People can again travel to and from Jos and Sokoto. There is still some military, but the revolts have not spread, and in general it is quiet. Many corpses have been found, and there is always the danger of revenge. And for the lost properties there is no recompense.
Kidnapping also goes on, the latest in Benin (the Anglican Archbishop) and in Auchi (a religious), but that is almost normal for here. In the beginning, it was mainly Americans or Europeans who were kidnapped, but now it is Nigerians, people from whom it is thought that ransom could be paid.
Thank you for your support in prayer.
January 24th, 2010
Right now we have some problems here in Nigeria, and nobody really knows why. About a week ago trouble started in Jos. Jos is a beautiful city north of Abuja, and years ago, especially all the Europeans and many international congregations went there. It is a bit like Bangalore in India, higher up in the hills, healthy air, not so hot, vegetables grow, potatoes and tomatoes and good things that cannot grow anywhere else. About two years ago, there was the first unrest in Jos. Really it was all a political thing, and that Muslims tried to kill Christians had nothing to do with the event, local elections in which some corruption had happened. But many Muslims are poor, and there is always some tension. Anyway, many people were killed, houses burnt. And the same thing happened last week and is still going on. So far, we do not know what triggered it. The worst about it is that there are now fake policemen who are robbers in police uniforms. So people cannot trust anyone.
Right now there is curfew so that anyone leaving the house, will be shot by military. That at least curbs the violence. But nobody is safe, and the unrest is spreading. Last night around 3 a.m. killing and burning started in Sokoto, far in the North. And last night also trouble started in Gwagwalada, not far at all from Abuja. The people assembled in the mosque for Friday prayer, must have made some plans to kill and loot. Someone told the police about it, so the plans did not work out, security is tight now around that area.
We all hope it will quieten down soon, and we pray for all those who have been hurt and have lost all their homes and possessions. And we hope it will not spread. So please pray with us.
January 6, 2010 four of our sisters renewed vows in Garam; here with one of the young professed and with one of the Junior Sisters who will renew her vows later in January together with one other Sister who is in Ibadan for further studies now.
