Keep hope alive

Stay Alive in Nigeria

Jastus Suchi Obadiah, African Areas Stay Alive Trainer, traveled to Nigeria in November 2005 to instruct members of the World Mission Foundation (WMF) at Imo state as Stay Alive trainers. In Owerri town, the capital of Imo state, he met with the president of WMF to organize the training. Mr. Obadiah trained three members of the World Mission Foundation.

Mr. Obadiah said, “We trained teachers and parents from five schools. During this time, the trainers gained knowledge and skills. Mrs. Georgina Chima is the main trainer and project manager in Imo state, and she is good at training and understood the program very well.” Later, Mr. Obadiah and WMF officials participated in Imo state World AIDS/HIV Day activities.

Working with Anthony Chima, of WMF, 8,000 children in Nigeria have been targeted for Stay Alive instruction. The program will be implemented through schools and churches. Mr. Chima is seeking to obtain government recognition of the Stay Alive program and have it approved for all state schools.

Mr. Obadiah said, “Mr. Chima’s efforts to meet with local government officials -- especially in the ministry of education -- to discuss Stay Alive implementation was a clear indication that his organization is serious about Stay Alive implementation. According to what was said by many who learned about Stay Alive, there is no program targeting children in Imo state. Mr. Chima and his team said that they are committed to network and make sure that the program goes forward utilizing local available resources.”

The people of Imo state belong to the Ibo tribe, which is known for having very good parent-child communication sessions each evening. Thus, trainees responded very positively when Mr. Obadiah explained Stay Alive’s emphasis on parent-child discussions.

“This is an unusual practice to many African tribes today,” Mr. Obadiah said. “Long term sustainability of the program will be found if parents can be trained to carry this habit forward. Those trained agreed that family is the best school and that parents are the best teachers to their children.”

Nigeria has a lower HIV/AIDS prevalence rate than some of its East African neighbors. Nevertheless, about five million people are infected, representing five percent of the population. Stay Alive education will help increase awareness while reaching many parents and teachers. Mr. Obadiah has found that many teachers and parents say the program not only changes the children who participate, but also changes the teachers as well.

With sufficient support, WMF has the potential to reach many children. Mr. Obadiah said, “I think the pilot phase that United Families International has helped to fund is sufficient to put them in gear. It will be their hard work and commitment that will roll out the program.”