C.A.R.E. Africa Core Values, Empower

Posted: August 18, 2022 by Patrice Miles in African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Child Sponsorship, Core Values, Egbe Nigeria, Empowerment, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, People of Egbe, Seamstresses
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By Jolene Eicher,

Over the next few weeks, we want to share C.A.R.E. Africa’s core values with you. We hope it will resonate with similar values you use in your own life and that of your family/friends.

EMPOWER
Empower describes the process of change wherein an individual with a prior inability to choose has the access and freedom to make choices (Kabeer, 2005).

The solution to slowing poverty isn’t about how much money you can give or about inserting western interventions. It’s about providing people with the tools to build their own better future.

Here are some empowering tools C.A.R.E. Africa is providing:

EDUCATION
Over the past 7 years, we have provided orphaned and impoverished children with an education that gives them opportunities to become future leaders in their country and across the world. We equip them with biblical values and basic skillsets needed to become strong, independent young adults.

The SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
This allows some of C.A.R.E. Africa’s most promising students to continue their education through the post-secondary level. This higher education provides them with skills needed for life-altering employment so they can lift themselves and their family from the depths of poverty. Once selected, scholarship students receive full financial support including tuition, books, room and board, clothing, requirements, and health care.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING and MICRO-FINANCE
The empowerment of vocational training such as tailoring, barbering, and computer/information technology provides success in a challenging economy. It is ideal for those students who are looking for a way to become gainfully employed in a small business.

Bank loans are almost impossible to obtain. C.A.R.E. Africa provides micro-finance loans to young adults and the women of C.A.R.E. Africa. We become “the bank” and provide the loan to start and grow small businesses. Small businesses are the lifeblood of African economies and a significant way to empower those looking for a way out of poverty.

Hopefully, you can now understand why EMPOWER is the first of the four core values in the mission objectives of C.A.R.E. How we are empowering the children and women of C.A.R.E. is not much different than what we do with our own children, family and friends to help them secure a successful future.

View all empowerment programs at https://donate.icareafrica.org/projects

I’m going to be evicted.

Posted: August 9, 2022 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe Nigeria, Empowerment, People of Egbe, Sponsorship
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By Jolene Eicher

She walks to the edge of town looking for wood to chop.  If successful, she will have a load to carry to town to sell.  She will buy food for her 6-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter.  It has been a while since they have had anything substantial to eat.  She was thinking about her children when it happened.  He was a young boy learning to drive a motorcycle so he could become okada (motorcyclists who carry passengers for hire).  He lost control and she didn’t hear him coming  The impact threw her to the ground causing serious injury to her body.  

I am interviewing Momma Bose (pronounced “Boice a”) on June 20, 2022 – eight months after the accident.  She still can’t turn her head without severe pain.  She tells me that she boils water to make a hot rag for her neck.  Momma Bose can no longer chop the wood that kept her family fed.  If it wasn’t for C.A.R.E. Africa she doesn’t know what would have become of them.  C.A.R.E has helped pay the hospital bills.  They have prayed for her and provided food for her son and for her daughter, Olarinde Bose, who is in the C.A.R.E. program. 

I recall when her daughter, Bose, first came to school at C.A.R.E. Africa several years ago.  She was angry and she was a bully to the other kids.  There were many conversations about what to do with this child that clearly liked no one and no one liked her.  Momma Bose proudly tells a story of a different child today.  She tells me that just this morning she witnessed Bose kneeling on her bed of flattened cardboard speaking to God in English to help her mother with the pain and not be so sad. I asked Momma Bosse why she is sad.  She tells me that she and her children are facing eviction at the end of the month.  I look around this one-room concrete floor that contains all she owns, a thin foam mat, a few pots, and some clothes and I ask how far behind in rent she is.  “Two years” Momma Bosse quietly responds.  I look to the C.A.R.E team who calculate it to be about 16,800 Niara (local currency).  We are all silent.

I ask the C.A.R.E. team what can be done.  “We can pray,” they say.  The team gathers around Momma Bose to pray for her neck pain, for new work she can do, and for God’s provision regarding the rent.  On the drive back I am thinking about the huge debt Momma Bose owes and the pending eviction.  I get out my calculator to see what the conversion of 16,800 naira is to American dollars.  My eyes cloud with tears as I stare at a number that is unachievable for this sweet momma – it is $28.00.  My heart hurts to know that I eat out lunch with my husband for an amount that would prevent Momma Bose and her son and daughter from being evicted at the end of this month. The suffering could be eased for so little an amount.  I shake my head at the wealth I never realized I have.  

Your contributions to support C.A.R.E. Africa allow them to provide for those who are sick, injured, hungry, unable to find work, don’t have the fees to attend a school or are about to be evicted.  Please don’t ever think you don’t have much to give.  For the cost of a pizza delivery perhaps you could keep a family from becoming homeless or feed a family for months or purchase a real mattress.  Whatever you can give – it is not wasted- it is like wealth for those who have so little.  Please think of Momma Bose and pray for her neck to be healed so she can be pain-free. Thank you for reading.     

From Executive Director, Patrice Miles. We are excited to let you know we were able to get donations for Mommy Bose’s rent and mattresses and have put her on a monthly food plan. Bose, her daughter, currently has a sponsor but would you consider sponsoring Mommy Bose so we can continue to keep her on the feeding plan and also empower her so she can start a business and be able to sustain herself one day? For $39 a month you can sponsor Mommy Bose’s feeding plan or you can donate towards her one-time need for empowerment of $300.

Sponsor Mommy Bose $39 a month or one time $ 468 here https://donate.icareafrica.org/sponsorships/mommy-bose

Donate any amount to Empower Mommy Bose here https://donorsee.com/project/15662

Why DonorSee?

Posted: May 25, 2022 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe Nigeria, Fundraising, Miles In Missions, Orphans, People of Egbe
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Over a year ago a C.A.R.E. supporter introduced me to DonorSee. As soon as I heard the story of the founder, Gret Glyer, and why he started the ministry, I was on board. I am including a beautiful video about DonorSee but also want to share Gret’s story. 


Gret lived in the U.S. working a job that left him feeling unfulfilled. He wanted to make a difference and leave a legacy so he made a brave move to Malawi. Gret discovered that the people of Malawi were in need of small things like straw for a roof or a uniform to go to school. Because of the value of the U.S. dollar in Malawi he could change someone’s life situation for as little as $20.


Gret started videoing the needs and sending the videos to people he knew asking for donations. He would send the donors a video of the recipient receiving the gift. In the year Gret was there he raised enough money to build a school that now educates over 300 girls. He contributed the outpouring of support to the videos he sent for the “donors to see”. Once back in the U.S. he started DonorSee with the purpose of connecting donors with worldwide ministries working with people in need.

It has been an amazing partnership with DonorSee. We have raised over $53,000 to date for C.A.R.E. Africa. Many of you reading this blog have contributed to that number. 


C.A.R.E. Africa is so grateful for this platform and we love the relationship it builds with donors in allowing them to see their gift at work. 


We were excited to enter into year 2022 with DonorSee for our large school building project. We had hoped to start construction in February but still needed significant support to begin the first phase of construction. Click on the video below to see how you can help with Phase 1 in Egbe, Nigeria and join this beautiful journey we are on.

Fill the bags

Posted: May 19, 2022 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Child Sponsorship, Miles In Missions, Orphans, Outreach, Volunteers
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We are so excited to announce that we have the opportunity to send items to our kids, caregivers and staff at C.A.R.E. Africa again. We have several bags that can be filled with needed items. We do our best to buy everything in country to support the local economy and Nigerian business owners. The items on our list are either hard to find our the quality is very poor and we end up having to replace the items several times throughout the year.

If you would like to help fill the bags, visit our Amazon list here. https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/37CK4SE2YMS3Q/guest-view

Send a package to your sponsored child! Email diana@icareafrica.org for the address to send your package.

Life is a Lesson

Posted: March 30, 2022 by salako86 in C.A.R.E. Africa, Nigeria, Orphans, Outreach, People of Egbe, Prayer
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By: Emma Salako

I count this life to be a lesson, that everything we achieve comes only by the grace of God and not hard work. Whatever one has, it’s for the benefit of the world, given by God to impact the lives of others. God is not selfish that he blesses us, but blesses us to also bless others, to make them feel the true love that comes from him alone. Pride is a disease that if one is not careful will destroy life, but true humility brings joy and fulfillment to the soul.

No matter how brilliant, educated, and sharp we are. That doesn’t make us complete what makes us complete is that God has chosen us as his hands and feet, and our heart of love towards humanity. We’ll be the change that the world deserves and show compassion to those who don’t have the privilege to be who they desire to become. This life is very short and no one knows when it’s all going to be over, but while there’s still breath in us we need to make use of every opportunity we got to make sure that we conquer the fear of this world. A little hand of Love and Care may be the only thing to save a life.

If only we understood what love means and how important it is to show, we would have the true meaning of life, and its impacts on people who do not have a good chance to win. Remember that none of us just became successful overnight, it was over time with love from those we never could have imagined that helped us. An act of care and love goes a long way in transforming someone’s life from worse to better. Let love speak!

 God, please don’t ever make me go to Africa.

Posted: March 15, 2022 by dbeville in African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Child Sponsorship, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Mission Trips, Missionaries, Nigeria, Sponsorship, Volunteers
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I remember sitting in church as a kid in the early 90s, listening to a missionary discuss their life in Africa while flipping through a slide reel of pictures. I don’t remember anything they said, just the feeling of fear and dread that God wanted to punish me enough that one day I would have to go to Africa. That night and for years to follow, I begged God to never make me go to Africa. I’d do anything else.

Then in the spring of 2014, I felt the wind blow in a different direction. The Miles had sold all their stuff and moved to Nigeria six months prior. I felt my curiosity suddenly outweighing my fear. It now seemed as if maybe God had a gift waiting for me rather than a punishment. I wanted to visit friends. But I also felt a new and unfamiliar tug. An exciting invitation. A “just you wait and see…”

Since that first trip with Stephen in 2014, I’ve traveled back to Nigeria 3 more times, with another trip scheduled for later this year. I am now eager for each next chance to go to Africa.

When C.A.R.E. Africa first began, Patrice asked if I would attempt to sell some jewelry participants had made. Having no experience in sales, marketing, promotion, or distribution, I said, “Sure!” We bought a tent and tables. Stephen’s sister used sharpies to draw a poster board sign, and we began vending at farmer’s markets in Louisville, KY.

C.A.R.E. grew into a full-blown ministry in Nigeria with many facets, including a seamstress training program that creates numerous products including clothing, handbags, jewelry, and aprons. Our garage transformed into an “Amazon Fulfillment Center,” stocked with shelves of sorted boxes of products, market display items (many built by Patrice’s stepdad), and shipping supplies.

Miraculously those early days of stumbling through the unknowns have grown into a vibrant display, a band of faithful volunteers, return-shoppers at markets, a requested presence in missions conferences, an Etsy store, and $20k in sales for 2021.

I found my passion and purpose in that vendor booth. I could not sell just anything. But I have the incredible luck to showcase vibrant products which tell a beautiful story that I believe in with my whole heart. And I love the human element of a market: crowds of unique characters with personalities as varied as the fabric prints. It helps open my heart to the patchwork of people required to build a solid community.

As if my life managing product sales wasn’t charmed enough, in 2021 I was offered employment with C.A.R.E. as the Sponsorship Coordinator. I am having so much fun getting to know the kids and sponsors more. It is an honor to facilitate communication and relationship internationally! Sponsors are partnering with C.A.R.E. to educate, disciple, and nurture more than 70 kids in Nigeria. I update sponsors on life in Egbe including new pictures, report cards, home life, plans for college, and achievements. I also relay communication from sponsors back to Egbe staff and students.

Other facets of this role include advocating for sponsorship and monitoring financial transactions. After an end-of-year audit, we verified that 99% of child sponsorship donor dollars go directly to care and supplies for the children and their families!! Around every turn, I continue to find the efficacy and integrity of this organization are top tier.

What a thrill ride I’m on. I’d like to go back to tell little Diana she doesn’t need to be afraid; there’s so much to look forward to.

ADVOCATE * INVEST * EMPOWER * SERVE

Why can’t I go to school?

Posted: March 8, 2022 by Patrice Miles in African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Child Sponsorship, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Orphans, Prayer
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Millions of Nigerian students are disappointed every year because they cannot attend university.  Not because they didn’t study hard enough for entrance exams, but because there isn’t enough room for all of them and it’s not affordable for most. 

74% of Nigerians that apply for higher education will be denied. Only 1 out of 4 will have the opportunity to go. WHY?

The US has over 5,000 higher education institutions to service a population of roughly 319 million.  Compare that to Nigeria who has around 150 universities to service a population of 180 million people, 62% of them 24 or younger.  There is simply not enough universities  in Nigeria to accommodate the growing student population. 

If a student is accepted, the school fees can range from $1,000 to $6,000 per year, for federal, state, or private university.  For a country with an approximate minimum wage of $57 a month (about $2 a day) it is clearly impossible for most families to to send their children to university.  

Michael studying Business Administrative Ekiti State University
Miriam studying Office Management Kwara State Polytechnic
Toyin studying Engineering
Kwara State Polytechnic
Titi studying Social Work in USA
Lancaster Bible College
Folornsho studying Office Management
Kwara State Polytechnic
Samson studying Accounting
Federal State University in Lakoja

We are fortunate to have six students in higher institutions in Nigeria and one in the United States.  These children are blessed to have sponsors who invest in their lives. We work very hard to obtain admittance for our children. For those who are able to gain admission we rely on our sponsors for tuition fees. A higher education gives them the opportunity to break free from the cycle of poverty. God’s kingdom is growing, and generations will be transformed because when you educate a child, you educate a nation. 

Please consider giving to our scholarship fund to enable more children to continue their education at https://give.icareafrica.org/careafrica/scholarship

Prayer Needed

Posted: February 10, 2022 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Orphans, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe, Prayer
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We need more prayer warriors to join our team!

We are so blessed with 201 prayer partners. Many have journeyed with us since 2013 and many are brand new. We believe in the power of prayer and would love for you to join us too. Click this link to join our prayer team, http://eepurl.com/DZf_D

We send out prayer requests and praises two times a month and just ask that you pray alongside us and the other 201 prayer partners. You will be blessed by getting to see God’s hand at work in our ministry. We also welcome prayer requests from you. We pray for our donors regularly and would love to add any prayer requests you have to the list. You can see one of our prayer boards hanging at C.A.R.E. Africa, in Egbe.

Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Click this link to join our prayer team, http://eepurl.com/DZf_D.

What Would You Have Me to Do?

Posted: January 25, 2022 by bluewatergigi in African School, Board of Directors, C.A.R.E. Africa, Coaching, Egbe Nigeria, Missionaries, People of Egbe, Volunteers
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When I found myself back in Canada after our time in Egbe Nigeria had ended, I found myself feeling a bit lost. 

My husband and I had ministered overseas for over 20 years. Those had been years filled with great blessings, and a few challenges. One of the greatest blessings for me was my involvement at C.A.R.E. Africa and Foundations Academy in Egbe. Each week I would find myself wrapping arms around both the kids and the staff. I loved walking into each classroom and coming alongside the educators that were so dedicated to their profession. I counted it a privilege to be called ‘Mommy Cindy’ and many were adopted as ‘my kids’. 

During my time at Egbe, I was introduced to Patrice Miles and Emma Salako. Patrice and Emma had a God-given dream for C.A.R.E. Africa. I watched and prayed during the early years as the Centre progressed and the desire for a school was birthed. I was thrilled when asked if I could teach/mentor at the School.

Knowing the staff and children by name became very important to me. It was so much fun going to Market and hearing my name called and kids would come running to the White Mommy with no fear.  

Late 2019 we found ourselves flying back across the ocean to Canada to settle back with our family, kids and grandchildren, but a part of my heart was left In Egbe.  

How I would miss this very special place! 

A few months after landing in the Great White North, I found myself asking ‘What Would You Have Me to Do?’ during my times with Jesus. C.A.R.E. Africa was still tugging at my heart. I kept praying…

    God does know the desire of our heart. 

Soon after praying, I received word from Patrice asking if I would consider doing Bi-Monthly calls with staff members with Foundations Academy Staff. I jumped right on this…Yes! 

It has been close to 2 years now, every other Thursday morning (providing we have good network) I have the PRIVILEGE of talking to a different staff member over WhatsApp.

We laugh, sing, cry, share struggles of being an educator in Nigeria and pray! Lately we have begun doing video chats, the calls always end with joyful tears as I get to see my fellow colleagues in Egbe. What joy. 

God does know the desire of our heart. 

When we returned to Canada, I had no idea how I could still be involved on a consistent basis with C.A.R.E. and Foundations Academy Egbe. 

God knew my desire and He answered.

Team Meetings

Posted: January 13, 2022 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Coaching, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles
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Team meetings at C.A.R.E. Africa are the core of our ministry. Weekly we have leadership meetings, staff meetings, caregiver meeting, prayer meetings and fellowship meetings. Some are on zoom, some are in Nigeria, some are in Louisville, KY.

You might be thinking, meetings, meetings, meetings….. sounds exhausting! When does anyone get anything done around there? With a consistent simple agenda our weekly team meetings restore confidence, clarity and camaraderie at C.A.R.E. Africa in one hour. Ok, maybe we go over the one hour every now and then! HAHA!

Since coming back to the U.S. in May of 2019, I have been working with nonprofits and small business to help them bring clarity and confidence to their vision. I have been helping others by using what I was taught through coaching in my real estate career and in my nonprofit. Why recreate the wheel when there are so many who have done it and got the t-shirt? Why live in chaos if you don’t have to?

God has given us all a vision for our lives and I love getting to help others grab that vision and make it a reality through systems, processes, budgets, profitability, vision, mission and care values.

If you are a nonprofit or small business owner anywhere in the world and are wanting someone to talk to, to bounce ideas off of or ask questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am an open book! I know God has blessed me so I can bless others. Email me at patrice@icareafrica.org anytime.

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