Dispatches

by Fr. Peter Abue

March 2007

Dear Friends of CORAfrica,

I am giving you all an update on how things are settling for me and the children in the rural community of Ipong in Obudu, Cross River State. I have been here for more than two months now and so far it has been an exciting adventure. Apart from obvious hardships like putting together a living quarter for myself and negotiating a proper means of mobility, I have so far been having a wonderful assignment being with the people I love so much. These people have been placed under our care and we are determined to collaborate with them. Ipong is a community of several villages including Kakum, Bebuagbong, Bebuabie, Bebuatsuan, Begiaba, Kutiang and Igwo. So far I am trying to take an accurate census of the entire populations of men, women and children that live in these villages. By my next update, I should be able to give you a more precise record. The children have been the most interesting group to be with and I am optimistic that our dreams for the children of this rural community will be achieved in time.

During this past Easter celebration, I seized an opportunity to conduct a special seminar for the children in all the villages. It was amazing to see the response of children and youths to our events, which were conducted over three days (Monday, April 2nd to Wednesday, April 4th). Here, we wanted an opportunity to get to know each other and share our fears as well as aspirations for the future. We formed groups of children (ages 7-15) and youths (ages 16-21) with a total of 460 children and youths in attendance. Both groups were so excited to discuss generative issues affecting them, and all agreed that this had never happened before. Sessions like this are often held by adults for adults to discuss issues affecting the community and what adults can do. All agreed that such attention has never been paid to children and youths and we assured them that this is just a sign of greater things to come.

Fr. Peter Abue during a special gathering with rural children in Ipong-Obudu

One obvious constraint (among others) faced by the children is that they could not clearly define what their hopes were for the future. When asked where their education would lead them, the youths especially could not articulate in clear terms what their present educational focus was. Most of them could hardly read and write, yet they spoke their native languages fluently as well as a bit of English. A few who came home on holidays from the urban areas somehow articulated in speech and writing what most of the rural children had in mind. Ironically about 95% of all children from this locality live in the villages with only 5% living in the urban towns with their well-off parents, uncles and aunties. There is a clear need for attention to be paid to these teeming rural youth populations.

Children in rural Obudu: 95% of them live in villages

One of the hardships faced by children and youths, as well as all rural dwellers, is the lack of clean water. Mostly children complete the long treks to far away streams to fetch buckets of water on their heads for their family chores. Most of their quality time is often consumed by these extra activities like fetching water, firewood, or food items from farms. Young girls are more often involved in these extra domestic activities. Most of the boys in our group were school dropouts or children whose parents have found it unnecessary to send them to school. Those who attempt school do not prove to be helpful to the family both at present or in the near future. Most of the boys are often seen retiring from the farms with hoes and knives after a heavy day's work in the intense heat of the sun.

Fr. Peter with children returning from long treks in search of clean water

Child returning to the village with firewood

I am seeing wonderful potential in these young people. It is obvious that with a little incentive to jumpstart them, the sky is their limit. I have always believed that children in rural areas – though least cared about – are the ones who will reinvest in their communities to their benefit and thus boast a more meaningful future for all.

In my next update I hope to bring you precise figures of both the populations and potentials of the children in this area. It is also my hope that by my next update, we will have completed arrangements for our partnership with the Cross River State University on ways our local universities can play a leading role in making education relevant at the grassroots.

Thank you all once more for your support and goodwill towards our programs. The future for us looks bright and I see a lot of hope in our children in the rural settings. Do not relent in making your contributions to CORAfrica and our numerous programs.

Wishing you all a Happy Easter Season.

Fr. Peter Obele Abue