Survivors’ Haven – We are building a center for widows and orphans in Nigeria

Just a few months ago, we had only plans on a piece of paper and 1.5 hectares of land. In our minds, a vision was emerging: we wanted to build a safe haven for widows and single mothers whose husbands were killed in attacks in Plateau State, central Nigeria. Today, this place is taking shape, and hopefully, the first families will move in soon.

Let’s begin by saying a few words about Survivors’ Haven. Where did the name come from, and what are the goals of building a center for widows and orphans in Nigeria?

Thousands of people have been killed in countless attacks in Plateau State. The terrorists do not spare women and children, although their primary victims are often men—because they try to protect their families. But the attackers have another goal: leaving a widow with small children condemns her to a life of hardship. In Nigeria, she cannot rely on social services. There are no welfare benefits or institutional support to help her. In this way, the militants terrorize the entire community. They send a clear message: opposing them will bring catastrophic consequences. We have spoken to many women who told us how armed attackers broke into their homes and murdered their husbands—and often their older sons as well. Women who, until that moment, had devoted themselves mainly to raising children and caring for the household were suddenly left on their own. Some of them were only in their twenties or early thirties.

Our goal is very simple. The center we are building will provide temporary shelter where these women can learn how to care for livestock, grow plants and vegetables, produce spices, and carry out other general farming work. They will gain skills that will help them start their lives anew. The plan is to accommodate ten families for several months. Under the supervision of an instructor and in safe conditions, they will learn farming and begin returning to a normal life. The center will also include a small nursery where children will have space to learn and play. After spending several months at the center, each family will receive a “starting pack.” Sometimes this will mean rebuilding their house, constructing a new one, or helping them rent in a safe location. Others will receive livestock, tools, or equipment to help them develop their own farm. Everything will depend on their individual needs and experience. Then, a new group of women and children will arrive to recover from trauma and the loss of their husbands, and to learn new skills.

The first results of our work are already visible

The center will include a housing unit for families, at least two large greenhouses, a small nursery, a kitchen, a canteen, and utility buildings. The site will be protected by veterans from local self-defense units who were injured while defending their villages from terrorist attacks. Although many of them were permanently wounded, we want to honor their courage and willingness to risk their lives for others. By providing them with paid employment, we will also be supporting their families.

Construction began with the guardhouse, which is now complete, and two greenhouses have already been built. We have also dug a well to secure our own water supply, and two water tanks are currently nearing completion. The family housing unit is nearly finished, with only the roof, windows, and doors waiting to be installed. Some final touches remain, such as connecting the electricity, but everything is progressing according to plan. Our team is working tirelessly. It’s also worth noting that we have purchased a brick-making machine, which allows us to produce our own bricks and avoid dependence on external suppliers and changing prices. With access to water, electricity, and in-house brick production, we will hopefully become largely self-sufficient.

Speaking of independence, our goal is for Survivors’ Haven to become fully self-reliant in the future. As I mentioned, we already have our own water supply. The funds needed to maintain the site and ensure decent living conditions for the families will come from products made at the center. These will include spices such as chili and black pepper—staples of Nigerian cuisine—as well as eggs and milk. In addition, we will continue producing and selling bricks. Hopefully, over time, new ideas for generating income to sustain the center will emerge. Time will tell.

What makes us happiest is that Survivors’ Haven is growing practically every day. In December of last year, it was nothing more than an empty plot. Less than three months later, we can already see new buildings taking shape, and the construction team is rising to the challenge. I’d also like to share that women are part of this team—a rare sight on most construction sites, but in Nigeria, women are not afraid of hard work.

The construction of Survivors’ Haven is funded entirely through your donations. It is our largest project to date. We haven’t launched any special fundraising campaign for it, but every contribution helps us build another wall of another building, and brings us one step closer to completion. Thank you!