Archive for the ‘African School’ Category

Who Encourages Whom?

Posted: February 10, 2023 by bluewatergigi in African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Missionaries, Nigeria, Volunteers
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by Cindy Borody

Every other Thursday morning I hold my phone close in anticipation and wait. 

I get my coffee, sit at my desk, and wait.

I watch my phone screen and wait.

Then my phone rings, my heart beats a bit quicker, and I answer.

Sometimes it takes a few times answering before the connection holds, but the attempts and the wait are worth it.

On the other end of the line are the sweet voices of the teachers at CARE/Foundations Academy in Egbe!

For a few years now I have had the privilege of chatting with teachers over WhatsApp.

We share what they have been teaching the kids. I ask them about their ‘Big Wins’ and pray over the challenges they face in their classrooms. We laugh together and share about family life. It is like sitting in a Staff Room at any school, community, and fellowship except we are doing it over the phone.

When the network is cooperating, we do FaceTime. What a treat that is, we can see each other, we wave and wave, and sometimes a few happy tears flow.

I ask how I can pray for them, and we pray for each other.

Many times, the call gets dropped, but we try connecting again (and again) so we can finish the call with sweet goodbyes.

My role is to encourage the staff at Foundations. I listen and take notes as they share their experiences in Egbe.

As I write down what they share, many memories come flooding back to my days at Foundations. Good memories.

After the call ends, I take a few minutes to review what I have written and pray again.

Each call brings joy. I can picture the school, staff, and kids running around, I can hear the laughter coming from the kids in the background.

These calls encourage me.

I am thankful for the time that we get to connect.

God is faithful to keep His promises and has been faithful to CARE and Foundations Academy!

Our teachers at Foundations Academy in Egbe Nigeria, are committed to the counter-cultural work of teaching the whole child. They implement classroom management styles that train in excellence while inspiring each child to reach for their God-given gifts. $100 can support a teacher for one month AND provide much-desired direct encouragement and discipleship. Teachers are essential to our children’s lives, and we strive to implement a holistic approach.

So, join us as we care for each child through their teachers! Visit our site at http://bit.ly/egbeteachers to sponsor a teacher’s salary at $50 or $100 a month.  

#GivingTuesday Success Update! We are 100% Funded!

Posted: December 13, 2022 by Patrice Miles in #GivingTuesday, African School, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Orphans, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe, Prayer
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We are so excited to announce that our school project is completely funded after our #GivingTuesday campaign. With pledged contributions, our donor match, and all donations received we are funded!! Thank you to everyone that contributed or helped us Build Our School! Now sit back and watch the progress as it is going to be fun. Below is our first update video from Yomi our project manager.

#Giving Tuesday is 1 Week Away & We Have a Donor Match

Posted: November 22, 2022 by Patrice Miles in #GivingTuesday, African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Orphans, People of Egbe, Prayer
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See the video below for an update on the work going on in Egbe, Nigeria. The school project is underway for the 152 children in our school.

#Giving Tuesday is one week from today.

We have a gracious donor that is matching all gifts up to $16,500. Visit our school project donation page at https://donorsee.com/school to help us reach our goal so we can finish building our school.

🏫 Our School Is Almost Finished! Donor Match Alert!

Posted: November 4, 2022 by Patrice Miles in African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Orphans, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe, Prayer
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We are so excited to announce that a Donor has agreed to match any donation received between now and the end of the year up to $16,500 for our school project. https://donorsee.com/school


Meet the Makens. They visited Egbe years ago and genuinely fell in love. The Makens formed an attachment to a small, five-year-old boy they chose to sponsor.  Their commitment to this child was so sincere that he graduated and is now attending university with their full support. They also support his caregiver, which is his grandmother. Their support has allowed us to help her with monthly food packages, accommodations, and provisions. The Makens are dedicated to the education and empowerment of the children and caregivers of CARE Africa and wanted to assist us in completing the construction of our school, Foundations Academy of Egbe. The Makens have generously agreed to match any funds we raise through the end of the year up to $16,500, which is half of the $33,000 needed to finish our school. 

This is an unbelievable opportunity to have our school completed. Please join the Makens and help us build our school!  Visit https://donorsee.com/school to donate

Check out the latest video of the school wall and the buildings that we will start renovating this week here.

Stony, Stubborn Heart

Posted: October 13, 2022 by Patrice Miles in African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Missionaries, Nigeria
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By, Cindy Borody
The summer of 2019 saw my last few weeks at Foundations Academy in Egbe, Nigeria.

I was busy packing up our house and attending many ‘farewell’ events for my husband and myself. I was hot, tired, and just getting through events. There was not much joy, I was in the mode that many missionaries find themselves in their last weeks serving overseas.

I was stubbornly fulfilling my duties.

It was a Tuesday morning when I found myself driving to CARE/Foundations and I was reminded of a verse in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 36:26:And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

As the school gates opened for me and I drove through I said a quick prayer ‘Lord, I want a tender heart this morning for these kids.

I greeted all the teachers and kids calling in through each school window. The replies always encouraged my heart.

As I passed by one particular class, the teacher called out my name and asked me to speak to a child that was having some behavioral challenges. The teacher told me that B* had a very stubborn heart and her work was suffering.

I called B* out of the classroom and asked her to sit with me while we chatted about what was happening. My heart broke for her as she described her feelings; I could identify. She was hot, tired, and very frustrated: frustrated with her classes, and friends.

She said, “my heart feels like a  stone.“

I put my arm around her and shared that I felt the same way. She looked at me doubtfully.  I told her some of the things that I was feeling and then brought up Ezekiel 36:26.

We went through the verse slowly together.

I was so close to tears as we both agreed to hold each other accountable to this verse.

God would give us a new heart, His Spirit, and he would remove both of our stony, stubborn hearts and give us both tender, responsive hearts.

Each time I went to Foundations those last few weeks B* and I would sit together and encourage each other on how God was developing our new hearts.

I learned quite a bit from B* in September 2019.

When the teacher asked me to speak with B*, she thought I would be instructing B*. God had other plans. It was B* who taught me.

Our CARE Africa/Foundation Academy kids have so much to teach us.

Now that I am back in North America, I think of this ministry daily. They need our encouragement as much as we need theirs.

If you ever would like to know more about how you can encourage a child, staff member, volunteer, or give of your time or finances, we would love to hear from you. Email Patrice@icareafrica.org.

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

 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

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.

Thank You

Posted: December 2, 2021 by Patrice Miles in #GivingTuesday, African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe Nigeria, Fundraising, Miles In Missions, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe, Prayer
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Thank you so much to everyone that donated and shared our school building project to your friends and family on #GivingTuesday. We were able to raise $6,360 plus the $2,000 match from Jeff Maine at Proudly for a grand total of $8,360 of the $25,000 needed for our Phase 1 of the project. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

We cannot be the hands and feet of Jesus without amazing donors ready to support us! Thank you!

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