Salihu's story...
Salihu is a polio survivor. Phyllis first met him in his camp in the Kogi State bush, where we were enrolling Fulani children to attend Hope Academy, Emiworo. Salihu was not in line for his picture. In fact, Phyllis caught him hiding in a little nearby hut, just peeking out of the door from time to time to watch his brothers and sisters pose for their pictures. When asked why he wasn't out getting his picture taken, he said, "I can't go to school. I can't walk."
"You can go to school!" Phyllis answered, encouraging him to go outside for enrollment. With his parents' full support, Salihu started school, very quickly becoming popular with other students, teachers and visitors alike.
Salihu began with us in nursery class. He is one of our star young students, now in his final year of teacher's college! He finished primary and secondary school at Hope Academy, Emiworo and in another few months will be a state certified teacher!
When asked if SFA would hire him, Phyllis replied, "MOST DEFINITELY!" After graduation from college, we at Schools for Africa intend to post him full-time as one of our teachers in a school for Fulani children. We are tremendously proud of him! He is a polio survivor, but he never let that get in the way of pursuing his goals!
Now a Fulani Christian, Salihu is an amazing young man, a preacher, a teacher, an advisor and friend to everyone he meets. There's a beauty and greatness in him that overshadows his inability to walk. And he loves and honors Jesus Christ, a fact that is known and approved by his father, Karimu! Pray for Karimu, and his WHOLE FAMILY, that they too will accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
This month, Phyllis delivered a new keke to Salihu! It's pronounced 'keh-keh'! All driving controls, except for the brakes, are done by the hands. We had a mechanic fix the brakes so they also could be applied by hand! Perfect for a young man with withered legs! Salihu received his first keke while in secondary school, a gift from his then ICCM sponsor, also a polio survivor! This new keke is also a gift from this same wonderful man!!
From Cherri, friend of Phyllis: "Salihu, we will be praying for the mental transition from college to studying your students and tailoring lessons to fit them."
From SFA board member Nelson: "I look forward to the day I can watch you absolutely inspire and excite students to excel in their studies!"
Please join us in praying for Salihu and his family!
In 2020, one of the young Fulani herdsmen at our grazing reserve training came over to Phyllis and said, "I am learning so much from you 'Christianity' people. I see how you treat us and how kind you are to us and one another. I ask myself, how can this be? How can I be more like you? I went to Salihu and talked to him for a long time. I asked Salihu if he learned about Christianity from his sponsor, and he said no, he learned it from the teachers and Christians at this school. I just want you to know, Reverend Phyllis, I am so happy with all of you and thank you so much for how you are treating us."
"Thank you for telling me this," Phyllis said to the young man. "Now, I want to tell YOU something! All of the love you are feeling from us is GOD'S love for you! God loves you, He has a plan for you, for good, a plan to help you and your family. I am praying that you will follow God and His ways, and learn much more about His plan for your life!"
In this way, all our prayers are being answered! Love is preaching loudly and clearly, and the message is getting through! Praise God!
Did you know that MANY non-profits like ours raise as much as 50% of their funding in December?? Wow!
December is a month to celebrate the birth of Jesus with giving and spreading joy. Please remember Schools For Africa as you give this month.
We are SO thankful for our partners in this ministry. It is YOU who are funding God's work in Nigeria, and we thank you!
Click HERE to give!
Prayer Requests:
Pray for Salihu, as he finishes college, and for his WHOLE FAMILY to come to Christ!
Pray for the Fulani/tribesmen crisis in Plateau State, and upcoming opportunities to build a school for Fulani children there, to bring the beginnings of peace.
Pray for continued opportunities for evangelism on the beautiful, mostly-unreached Mambila Plateau.