What were you doing on September 11th, 2001 when
you first heard of the attacks of 9/11? Like me, I am sure your memories are
ingrained with your reaction and what you were doing and when you first heard
the news.
Fast forward to April 14, 2014. What were you doing that
day? Do you remember? Do you know the significance of that day?
April 14, 2014 in the evening local time militants disguised
in Nigerian military uniforms gathered over 270 school girls into trucks
telling them that they were in danger and that they were there to take them to
safety. Once all the girls were in
trucks the militants shot bullets into the air shouting, “Allahu Akbar,” then
sped off leaving the school ablaze. April 14, 2014 is a date we should remember
yet most of us (including myself) were unaware of the horror occurring in
Nigeria.
Fast forward again three weeks
and only now is there wider spread knowledge of the abduction of these girls
with calls for action. Imagine if it took three weeks for anyone to respond to
the terror attacks of 9/11! Sure, you could argue that the 9/11 attacks were extreme,
with more causalities, more damage and a larger security threat. That is valid
but this most recent attack on April 14th represents the continued
threat to girl’s education globally. Honestly, if over 270 school girls were
abducted from a local school in your community, don’t you think more would be done?
Thankfully, the world is waking up to the situation and action is taking place,
but what prompted this action? Growing pressure via social media!
I don’t say all this to serve
up a supersize portion of guilt, I highlight the issue to assist in creating
greater awareness of our Nigerian girls plight as well as some of the
underlying issues contributing to the world’s slow response. It’s great that
this recent abduction has gained media attention but don’t be fooled into
thinking this is the only one. The terrorist group Boko Haram (meaning Western
education is forbidden) has been operating and carrying out attacks for years
(a quick search on Google found articles dating back to 2011). Taking a wider
perspective, abductions and attacks against girls are happening all over the
world with no media attention. Media attention isn’t the be all and end all but
it does provide much needed awareness that can lead to action which is
desperately needed.
So knowing all this, what can
you and your youth group do in Canada to help bring awareness to this atrocity
and injustice?
1.
Join
the social media campaign. Teens are often on social media, empower them to take
this tool that is often misused and use if for good. Our teens have a powerful
medium at their fingertips lets help them to use it constructively. Check out
#bringbackourgirls.
2.
Talk
about it at youth group. Ask your students if they have heard about the
abductions, discuss some of the issues that the abductions raised. Great
discussion questions include:
Does knowing
that students your own age risk their lives so they can go to school affect
your approach to school in Canada?
Do you
think that the world would respond differently if the girls abducted were from
Canada or USA? If so why is that?
If you
were a politician or advisor in this country how would you handle this
situation?
Can
Prayer Change Things?
3.
Get
your youth group praying for the abducted girls. We need to be praying and what
a great way for students to discover the power of prayer as people all over the
world are praying for these girls!
The world has many lessons to
learn about its response to these recent abductions in Nigeria. Personally, I
am challenged to be proactive in watching world news (however depressing it may
seem), to pray, and spread awareness amongst my circles of influence.
Jane Galbreath
Jane is a theology graduate and social work
student, living in Saskatchewan. She spends her summers leading international
youth mission teams. She is passionate about empowering young women to serve
God particularly young women struggling with trauma and mental health issues.
Jane has been a victim of sexual violence so she knows the heartache, shame,
strength and courage it takes to face being a victim. Jane is a blogger and
advocate for other females who have been victims of sexual violence because she
knows that it is possible to not only survive but to come out the other side
strong. After many years of healing Jane comes to you from that place! For more
information and to visit Jane’s blog click here http://hopeforherblog.wordpress.com/about/
No comments:
Post a Comment