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Background
 Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation. Since independence, tribal conflicts have caused widespread suffering and devastation. Currently there is relative peace and stability in the South. However, the North has been ravaged by intense conflict in many States including Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, and currently, Plateau state.
Nigeria has a secular constitution, which conforms to the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While the south is predominately Christian, Sharia Law has been implemented in twelve states.
This has been a major factor in the conflicts of recent years, during which thousands have perished, together with widespread destruction of property.
There remains an urgent need for humanitarian assistance to accompany initiatives promoting reconciliation and reconstruction.
HART has supported humanitarian programmes in northern Nigeria where schools, churches and individuals have been attacked. We are currently supporting medical and education relief programmes in Plateau and Kano States.
HART and Jos, Plateau State
 Hart is supporting two educational institutions in Plateau State where Archbishop Ben Kwashi is our partner. St Andrew’s school, Ganawuri, is meant to be not simply a place of education for children, but a centre of excellence and a ‘civilising’ influence in a particular area of Plateau state noted for violence and cruelty of local customs. Witchcraft continues, is feared, and persons are persecuted for being witches. Resistance to modern healthcare is strong and adherence to traditional remedies is dangerous as they encourage tetanus and other avoidable diseases. There is, as elsewhere, the need to build up education, especially amongst girls, as the basis of improvements in health and child care.
The new school is now functioning; new equipment and staff salaries are paid for by the local diocese. HART has been supporting the building
~ the need for which was amply demonstrated when we were all drenched last year as a storm hit the old building and rain lashed into every corner of the classroom. The pupils have been transferred from the old school to fully functioning school buildings where the classrooms, dormitories, kitchen and latrines have all now been finished.
 We are also supporting the Christian Institute in Jos, which not only provides theological training, but also training for women’s ministry, preparing them for leadership roles in their communities, and courses in maternal and child health.
Hart and Bari, Kano State
Kano is a Sharia state and In Bari where the Christian population faces consistent discrimination; HART is supporting the building of a Primary Health Care Clinic. The clinic aims to provide primary health care for people suffering from poverty and religious prejudice.
HART, Nigeria and the Future
HART is seeking financial support to enable us:
To construct the bore-hole for on-site water supply at the Ganawuri school, costing $US 4,100,To equip and make operational the clinic at Bari in Kano state, and facilitate the establishing of outreach health teams in the surrounding area, to provide educatation in hygiene, maternal and child care, costing $US 14,000,To continue to support the Institute in Jos for its training of medical students in maternal and child care,To continue to visit the Primary Health Care Clinic in Bari, Kano State, to encourage and assess. The building construction has now come to an end- and we need to finance the internal facilities and equipment; and the training of staff and supply of medicines.
Financial Facts and Figures
In 2008 (Figures sourced on 15th November 2008) HART spent: £7,000 on projects in Nigeria.
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