Caritas Nigeria Celebrates 13 Years of Humanitarian Services
Caritas Nigeria has reached millions of beneficiaries since its formal registration on 22 September 2010. In a world ravaged by poverty, injustice, and inequality, organizations like Caritas Nigeria shine brightly as beacons of hope. Her unwavering commitment to serving the less fortunate, advocating for social justice, and promoting human development has truly unveiled the essence of compassion. Caritas Nigeria, an arm of the Catholic Church established on 22 September 2010, is dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting integral human development. With the motto, “serve with love”, Caritas Nigeria works tirelessly to uplift the most vulnerable communities in the country. It focuses its efforts on six main areas of human development namely: health, education, livelihoods, water and sanitation, emergency response, and advocacy. One of Caritas Nigeria’s notable initiatives is its health program, which strives to improve access to quality healthcare services for all Nigerians. Through partnerships with local communities, government agencies, and international organizations, Caritas Nigeria provides training and support to healthcare workers, equips hospitals and clinics with essential medical supplies, and raises awareness about prevalent health issues such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal and child mortality. Education is another crucial focus of Caritas Nigeria’s work. Recognizing that education is a fundamental right and a key driver of development, the organization implements various education projects across the country. These initiatives include building schools, providing scholarships and educational materials to underprivileged children, and offering vocational training programs to empower youths with valuable skills for the job market. Caritas Nigeria strongly believes in the transformative power of livelihoods. By empowering individuals and communities to generate sustainable income, Caritas Nigeria helps break the cycle of poverty. Through skills training, microfinance programs, and support for small-scale businesses, the organization supports vulnerable individuals in becoming self-reliant and economically independent. Access to clean water and proper sanitation is another critical aspect of human development that Caritas Nigeria addresses. Lack of clean water and sanitation facilities can lead to the spread of diseases and hinder overall well-being. Caritas Nigeria undertakes projects to provide access to clean water sources, construct latrines, and educate communities on proper hygiene practices, thus improving the overall health and well-being of individuals. In times of disasters and emergencies, Caritas Nigeria is at the forefront of relief efforts. The organization coordinates with national and international partners to provide timely assistance to affected communities. This includes distributing relief materials such as food, water, shelter, and medical aid, as well as offering psychosocial support to those traumatized by the events. Advocacy is a crucial component of Caritas Nigeria’s work in promoting social justice. The organization actively engages in dialogue and advocacy with policymakers, stakeholders, and the wider public to address systemic issues that perpetuate poverty and inequality. By amplifying the voices of the marginalized and advocating for policy changes, Caritas Nigeria seeks to create a more just and inclusive society. Caritas Confederation wishes its Nigerian colleagues a happy 13th Anniversary. We are excited about the numerous success stories we have recorded with the consistent support of Caritas, and we look forward to many more years of contributing to the Church’s humanitarian efforts. Thank you for your commitment to our global family and service to the most vulnerable.
Caritas Nigeria Launches Key Projects for National Development
We wrapped up our three-fold Caritas Nigeria Day celebration on 22nd September 2023, with the launch of two key projects; the building of a national skills acquisition centre and the provision of safe water in 24 communities across the 6 geo-political zones. Caritas Nigeria partners, funders, well-wishers, and Caritas Africa leadership, as well as the priests of the CSN and staff of the agencies of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), attended the climax of this year’s Caritas Nigeria Day to celebrate our 13-year journey of making immense impacts. At Caritas Nigeria country office in the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Abuja, a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, with the Archbishop of Kumasi, Most Rev. Gabriel Yaw Anokye, concelebrating.
Caritas Nigeria Day 2023: Holy Mass and Fundraising Event for National Skills Acquisition Centre and Safe Water Projects
On 22 September 2023, our staff in Imo State began Caritas Nigeria Day celebrations with the Holy Mass celebrated by the Director of the Justice, Development, Peace, and Caritas Commission Owerri Archdiocese, at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, Owerri. The liturgical celebration was followed by a fundraising event towards supporting Caritas Nigeria to build a national skills acquisition centre and provide safe water in 24 Nigerian communities. The occasion was well-attended by representatives of the Imo State Ministry of Health, community-based organisations, other partners, and well-wishers.
Caritas Nigeria Day Commemoration in Abia State Concludes with Mass of Thanksgiving and Successful Fundraising Event
To conclude this year’s commemoration of Caritas Nigeria Day in Abia State, our state team participated in a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia to acknowledge the infinite divine blessings and companionship enjoyed over the years. Thereafter, our volunteers and staff were joined by our partners and stakeholders to celebrate the organisation’s achievements. The fundraising component of the social gathering had guests donating generously to our humanitarian interventions, inspiring hope for the future.
Empowering Society: Enugu Symposium on Climate Change
As part of the ongoing activities outlined across our regional offices for the celebration of Caritas Nigeria Day, our team in Enugu state organised a 1-day symposium on 20 September, on the theme: Empowering the Society in the Fight Against climate change for a Sustainable Future. Anchored by Caritas Nigeria, keynote speakers and representatives of the Government of Nigeria addressed the major causes of climate change and its impact on the environment, reiterating the need for the empowerment of women and youths while increasing awareness creation in the fight against climate change
Caritas Nigeria Day: Sensitization Walk and Medical Outreach in Imo State
Caritas Nigeria Day activities in our project state of Imo began on 20 September, with a sensitization walk by Caritas Nigeria staff. In addition to bringing visibility to the annual event, residents were enlightened about the mission and intervention areas of Caritas Nigeria. On day two of the event, our team organised a medical outreach at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, where 52 locals received HIV testing services. While others benefitted from health screening and medicines were administered for various ailments.
Exploring the Environment-Principles Nexus: Insights from Caritas Nigeria Day Celebration at Her HQ Office in Abuja
Yesterday’s commemoration of Caritas Nigeria Day at our country office in Abuja featured thought-provoking paper presentations that explored the relationship between the environment and the principles outlined in Laudato Si. The presentations highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change, the importance of biodiversity conservation, the need for sustainable agricultural practices, and the opportunities and challenges of transitioning to renewable energy sources. These discussions provided valuable insights into promoting environmental stewardship in the context of a rapidly changing world.
Mainstreaming Climate-smart Principles and Practices: Caritas Nigeria Day Activities in Edo State
The Caritas Nigeria regional office in Edo State kick-started Caritas Nigeria Day activities yesterday, 20 September 2023, with a panel discussion on the theme: Mainstreaming Climate-smart Principles and Practices amongst Faith-based Communities in Nigeria. Resource persons drawn from the State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, National Orientation Agency, and Sustainable Environmental Development Initiative (SEDI) led discussions on climate change and the role of the government and citizens in mitigating it in line with Laudatosi. Participants included women and youths from 10 parishes in Benin City, the Benin Archdiocesan JDPC, the Department of Health Service Providers, and the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN). The engaging forum elicited the participants’ pledge to promote eco-friendly practices.
Kicking off Caritas Nigeria Day: A Friendly Football Match for Inclusivity and Partnership
Our regional office in Abia State commenced its 3-day Caritas Nigeria Day celebrations with a friendly football match between staff of the Justice Development and Peace Commission in Aba Diocese and the Justice, Development and Peace/Caritas Foundation, Umuahia Catholic Diocese. The peaceful competition is a symbol of our commitment to deepening our partnership with like-minded organizations, such as the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), and our efforts in promoting inclusivity and harmony in the communities where we work.
Youth-led Roundtable on Climate Action: Collaborating for Environmental Preservation
At the country office of Caritas Nigeria in Abuja, 20 September, Catholic youths (CYON) selected from the nine ecclesiastical provinces and some members of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) participated in a round-table discussion on actionable steps to combating climate change. The meaningful engagement recommended areas of collaboration in amplifying environmental preservation programs and ultimately contextualizing the Pope’s encyclical,