Sight Savers International

Sight Savers International
For someone who is blind, the gift of sight is the greatest gift of all!

Thursday, 13 November 2008

Dispatches: Saving Africa's Witch Children

Last night i watched a Documentary called, Dispatches: Saving Africa's Witch Children as much as i wanted to switch off the TV, i could not as i knew i had to be strong for what horrific things i was about to see. I cannot believe that people can be so evil towards such young innocent children, it really has saddened me. The documentary was about so called ‘religious leaders’ in Nigeria, preying on ignorant people/brainwashing them to believe that their children are witches/wizards. These so called ‘leaders’ use Christianity teachings as a gimmick & blasphemy of Jesus name. They combine their so called Christianity beliefs with traditional beliefs. These extremists claim these so called ‘witches’ bring disease, death & destruction to their families. These extremists offer to help exorcise these children from the evil spirits/satan and cleanse them. At these deliverance ceremonies children have potions poured into their eyes plus shaken violently, dragged etc. If rituals fail the children are ostracized from community and chased away, or they get killed and abused (they get chained, beaten, murdered with machetes, poisoned, burnt, starved etc)

My heart sank when i saw a dead child brutally assaulted left on the road side, another little girl had become mentally ill as she had been put a large nail in her head, i assume affecting her brain, how she survived Lord knows. Plus two young teenage boys chained to a pole. This is slavery if you ask me, many people fought so hard to put an end to slavery, after all Africa has gone through there are still some evil people doing this to their own flesh. Plus one man who calls himself ‘the bishop’ makes his own potion of alcohol & blood and gives it to children. To me who is the real devil now, how any parent can allow their child to drink another man’s blood, when there are so many illnesses especially HIV. I am so disgusted i even feel sick. Plus he confessed on the programme of how he killed 110 people, with such arrogance on his face, why has he not been persecuted for these actions? Also a so called ‘prophetess’ Helen Ukpabio is also promoting this nasty practice by creating graphic film e.g (End of the Wicked).

These ‘blinded’ people cannot see that these extremists offer to help at a price and they live a luxurious lifestyle, expensive cars & large houses etc etc. How can a child be blamed for getting ill, or if someone dies in the family, this such a ridiculous conclusion.

This is an embarassment, it is so shameful and painful. I hope many more people will help join in the fight against this practise to protect the innocent children of Nigeria, It will be a challenge no doubt, it will also take fellow Nigerians locally & internationally to help eradicate this major issue. What was so terrible was the practises.

Thank you to Gary Foxcroft (UK Charity Stepping Stones) & CRARN (the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network) whom are trying to Save these innocent children.

No where in the bible does it state to treat children like this, some quotes from the BIBLE:-

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:1-3 NIV)

When little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them, the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:13-14 NIV)

For what is really sad is you and your lying. You are twisting My words and inventing 'Messages from the Almighty' that I didn't speak." - Jeremiah 23:9-36

Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. -(Matthew 7:15-20)


Regardless if people believe in the Bible or not etc etc, we know there is a difference between good & bad.

For more information and on ways to help:

Find Out More

Stepping Stones Nigeria
Room 36, D Floor
St Leonard's House
St Leonard's Gate
Lancaster LA1 1NN
Tel: 0845 3138391 (Mon-Fri 9 - 5pm)
Email:
Info@steppingstonesnigeria.org
Website:
www.steppingstonesnigeria.org
Works in partnership with local organizations in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to build sustainable futures for some of the region's many disadvantaged children, including protecting, saving and transforming the lives of children who have been stigmatized as being 'witches'.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/help-the-child-witches-of-nigeria---support-the-prevent-abandonment-of-children-today-pact-campaign

http://www.justgiving.com/witchchildren



Child's Right and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN)
Website:
www.crarn.org
Organisation with a firm belief in, and intent on, safeguarding the rights of a child including the issues of child abandonment, street children and stigmatization as witches and wizards.

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