Children & Young People
Before COVID-19 hit Nigeria, the acet team had set up clubs in schools to educate young people about sexual health, the prevention of sexual diseases and changing their perception of relationships. As the coronavirus started to spread across Nigeria and schools needed to close, the team needed to think of a way to reach out to these young people who could no longer meet in the clubs. Through the use of WhatsApp, which is used by many young people in Nigeria, they were able to continue educating about sexual health. Through using the App, they set up discussion groups to talk about how males and females should treat each other with respect and gave opportunities for the young people to ask questions. The underlying message of these groups was to show these young people that God loved them and had a purpose for them. This form of communication, while many young people have been isolated, has been an excellent means for keeping them engaged and focused on something both positive and educational.
Please pray for this particular project as the team continue to develop this idea and ensure the safety of the young people logging in to these sessions. Schools have now been able to re-open across the country, meaning young people are now able to meet in person. However, this opens up other issues regarding the spread of COVID-19, so please remember the team as they prepare the necessary PPE to protect both the team and students.
Prison Work
The acet team have been building a relationship with the local prison since last year, which is now allowing them to go in to test inmates for HIV. Unfortunately, one of the inmates recently died of HIV, so this service is greatly needed to ensure the inmates receive the care they need. While going in to perform these tests, the team have been able to share the gospel. They have been able to show the prisoners that prison is not the end of their life, but rather, God can still turn their lives around and give them hope.
There are undeniable dangers for the team going in to offer this service to the prisoners, so please pray for their safety as they witness to the inmates in this way. Pray too for these prisoners, that through the message they hear, that they would give their lives to Jesus.
Pregnant Women
Through offering HIV tests to the local community, over 700 people have now been tested for the disease. Of 80 pregnant women who were tested in a particular area, 7 tested positive for HIV. These women are now being supported by the team at the clinic to try and prevent the disease spreading to their baby.
All of these areas of outreach are not only educating Nigerian people about a more positive, healthy way of living, but are also teaching them how deeply in need they are of a Saviour. Please remember the team in your prayers, many of whom are volunteers form the local church who have been trained, as they reach out to those in need to bring them closer to Jesus while supporting them practically through healthcare and education.