Documentary: Orphans and Vulnereable Children in Nigeria

Justice Development Peace Commission, JDPC, is actively involved in peacebuilding, early warning, early response and conflict mapping in this area because of tribal violence. Father John Attah is the coordinator of JDPC, he is wearing a white frock. Every three months they have events in the area of the communities involved, including the Agbaduma area, of Agatu local government. This month they are having a Peace rally with speakers being from the Methodist Church, the Catholic churches and the four chiefs of the involved tribes. One community, Ekaidar, was distroyed this past April by people from the Egba community because of misconceptions. Five people were killed. Father John with local villagers and police tour the damage. Police are also involved in the peace-building activities. Date: August 27, 2010. Location: Obagijir, Benue. Image: Karen Kasmauski for CRS


Akula Ajir, 10 years old is part of the OVC program in Makurdi district, Nigeria. His mother and father have died of AIDS. He lives with his mother's sisters, Rose Ahua and her husband Justin Ahua. They are both HIV positive and volunteers with the Makundi Diocese volunteer program . The Ahua have three children of their own, including an adult daughter who is married and has a three month child. Akula does jobs around the compound including the laundry. He baths his little brother, Tersoo and little sister, Mrumun. CRS pays for him to go to school as well as his health visits. He is frequently visited by the head nurse of local health clinic, Fidelia Nyior (she is wearing a blue dress) He also hangs out with his buddies, his peers for meetings and general support. Date: August 23, 2010. Location: Makurdi, Benue. Image: Karen Kasmauski for CRS.


Orphans & Vulnerable Children in Nigeria
Parish of SS Peter and Paul in the village of Aliade, Nigeria supports the OVC program along with CRS. One of the members is Magdalene Shemba. Her caregiver is her father, Mathew Shemba who is also PLHIV. She works with her sister, Jennifer,18, cooking dinner and cleaning. She also meet with her peer group young women who are OCV between the ages of 11-18. She is wearing green dress and then changes into a white shirt with black strips and a pink skirt.Date: August 24, 2010. Location: Aliade, Benue. Image: Karen Kasmauski for CRS.