Operation Christmas Child

Nigeria

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Population: 214,028,302, with 42% under the age of 15.  70% of the population live below the poverty line (source – CIA The World Factbook).

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with more than 250 ethnic groups and hundreds of languages spoken there. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes in the country in 1999.

Thank you for bringing Good News and great joy to a child living in Nigeria! Your shoebox gift was one of 7,190 sent to Nigeria from the UK this season.

We thank God for the thousands of children that have received shoeboxes here since Operation Christmas Child began distributions. While we are not able to provide pictures or information on the specific child who received your individual shoebox, we hope you will be inspired by the photos and stories below.

Children Receiving Shoebox Gifts in Nigeria

Boy wearing funny goggles
girl with shoebox
Girl with shoebox in Nigeria
Boy with shoebox in Nigeria
children receive shoebox gifts
girl with shoebox

Stories From Nigeria

A Message of Thanks

Ministry partners at the ‘Youth For Christ’ Centre were delighted to receive Operation Christmas Chlld shoebox gifts for the young people they work with.

Forty-five children from aged 2-14 received the gift boxes and heard about God’s amazing love for them. The children were thrilled to receive school supplies, toys, hygiene items, clothing and personalised notes.

“We really appreciate the Samaritan’s Purse for the support and contributions to YFC Nigeria. Due to your support, encouragement, and prayers, we have been able to make a tremendous impact in transforming the lives of several young people in Nigeria. We are committed to doing much more even as the Lord grants us grace.”

Group of children with shoebox gifts

No One Left Behind – Nigeria

This little boy has a health condition which meant he was not able to get to the Operation Christmas Child outreach event in his area, so instead the local ministry partners came to him! He was delighted to receive his shoebox gift and excited when a ministry partner said she would return each week to give him the opportunity to also take part in The Greatest Journey course if he would like to. The photo below shows him proudly holding his graduation certificate and New Testament Bible after completing all 12 sessions.

The Good News Blossoms in West Africa

Unique was born in Nigeria and recently moved to Gambia with his father Johnjames, who is a missionary. He was delighted to receive a football in his shoebox gift and could not wait to start playing with it. When he got talking with some local boys over a game of football, he invited them along to The Greatest Journey course that his dad was leading and before long 21 children were taking part and studying God’s word together. Read the full story

UNIQUE ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THE SOCCER BALL HE FOUND IN HIS SHOEBOX GIFT.

A Glimpse Of The Joy Your Shoebox Gifts Bring

Our Local Partners

Operation Christmas Child invests in building National Leadership Teams made up of trained local volunteers and staff within over 100 countries. These teams then work alongside many Regional Leadership Teams who in turn train local church leaders and teachers. In Nigeria, seven teams are working with 420 ministry partners (teams of volunteers in local churches) to make Operation Christmas Child and The Greatest Journey possible each year!

The Greatest Journey

Each shoebox gift delivered by Operation Christmas Child is a tangible expression of God’s amazing love. But a shoebox is just the beginning. After receiving a shoebox gift, children have the opportunity to enrol in The Greatest Journey – 12 fun and interactive Bible lessons, where they get the chance to discover who Jesus is and how to begin their own journey of faith.

At the end of the course they get to experience a graduation ceremony where they receive a New Testament in their own language. The Greatest Journey is taught by local volunteers who have been trained to deliver the programme. It is offered free of charge, without obligation and with the consent of the child’s parent or guardian. Over 48,413 children in Nigeria have enrolled in this programme since it started.

You can be a part of helping us “go and make disciples of all nations” as Jesus commanded. Sign up for a monthly gift of £5, and each year you will give 12 children study materials, a New Testament, and the opportunity to share their faith with family and friends. Learn more

Thank You

Thank you so much for packing a shoebox gift and sending love and hope to a child in need. Your generosity makes such a difference!

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