Almajirai, or bowl boys as they are called (because they can be seen carrying a bowl and begging for food) are a normal sight here in Northern Nigeria. They are children from poor, rural families who are sent away to study the (other) main religion under a Malam (teacher). These children can be anywhere from 3-12 and rely on begging to survive. A recent article showed horrendous statistics that,

“For every 6 boys sent away to engage in the Almajiri system of seeking knowledge in Northern Nigeria, 3 die, 1 stays alive and the other 2 are lost, their whereabouts not known. This is at least 50% of the child mortality of boys born into the Almajiri system of Northern Nigeria.”

Imagine being sent far from home, away from parents who don’t check on you. Imagine living in a rundown facility with a whole bunch of other tough boys that probably bully you. Each day people pass you by and don’t even look at at you when you hold out your bowl to ask for anything to satisfy your starving, frail body. You don’t know love.  

City Ministries has a once a month gathering for these boys where they get a meal, a bath, their fingernails and toenails clipped and their hair cut as well as a Christian movie or a short presentation from the Bible. Our staff do an amazing job making these kids feel human, seen and important. It may not be much and the seeds planted may be so tiny but if they remember that they felt loved by 'those Christians' who knows how God could use that.

Would you consider joining us in multiplying our efforts? This Christmas we want to get 300+ of these children much needed shoes. Would you like to make a donation that will go towards the purchase of this Christmas gift and aid in further serving these kids in ministry?