Kaduna

Since the start of the link the following projects have been undertaken:

Water Wells

The need for water wells in this region is high with infant mortality rate still close to 25%. Each year Kaduna diocese does church planting in rural areas of the diocese. This usually results in in a church/school being built and an evangelist being appointed. The Diocese of Coventry attempts to put in a water well in each village.

By the end of 2018 some 57 wells had been put in. The links below will open PDF reports of wells opened in that year. Please contact Jim Saxton for more details.

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Exchanges

In order to build up the link a number of exchanges have occured over the years.

• 2003 - Rev Peter Watkins and Rev Charlotte Gale - Two week fact finding visit to both the Kaduna and Zaria areas
• 2004 - Ven Abiodun Ogumyemi - 5 months preaching and promoting the Jacaranda project and the need for water holes and bore-holes.
• 2004 - Keith Parr, Christine Cooke and students from Bluecoats School - Primary purpose was to allow the students from Blue Coats school to experience life in Africa and in particular the project at Jacaranda. 
• 2005 -Ann and Jim Saxton - 3 months, teaching in St. Michael's Anglican Diocesan College, Ann teaching art and also visiting primary schools to help teachers in both St. Michael's and St. John's schools. Jim installed over 20 PCs in the computer laboratory, and taught computing to both students and adults throughout the three months. Jim also wrote software to assist the examination recording at the Theological College at Wassasa, and designed a website for the school. This can be viewed at www.stmichaels-college.com
  Jim and Ann also reviewed how money from St Martin's Finham could be be put to best use. This resulted in providing art materials, computer equipment and a generator for the college.
• 2006 April  - Bishop Colin and Revd John Burrell continued to help and encourage the link.
• 2006 September - Ann and Jim Saxton, and Christine Cooke. Ann reviewed the state in Primary Schools, and followed up on books donated. Jim built and trained staff in the maintenance of a website for the Kaduna Diocese. Christine reviewed the state of the clinic at Yelwa-Danwatam and followed up Mother's Union contacts.
• 2006 November - Archbishop Josiah Fearon attended Coventry Diocesan Synod with Amal, the headmistress of Mar Ephrem Christian School Bethlehem. They were both there to promote the Companionship Links project.
• 2009 - Ann and Jim Saxton:
  • Trained 12 priests in how to use internet
  • Trained 3 priests in how to maintain the diocesan website
  • Trained Bishop Josiah in how to maintain the "Bishop's word" part of the Diocesan website
  • Trained 4 teachers in the maintenance of the new St. Michael's College website
  • Reviewed water wells including two meetings with the Well Committee
  • Visited and reviewed many Primary Schools
  • Led a workshop for Primary School teachers on Language Learning in early years
  • Met the Health Committee and aided thinking on health support in Kaduna.
  • Met with the newly formed Companionship Links Committee to exchange ideas.
• 2009 - Mrs Agnes Awogbami (Head Teacher from St. Michael's Primary School) and Mrs Rahila Malam (Teacher from Our Saviours Primary School) - To observe and work in primary schools Brailes, Shipston, Kineton, and Coventry, and to be trained in computers and the internet.
• 2013 - Bishop Christopher and the Rev'd Peter Allan - Helped to build the link between Coventry and Kaduna dioceses.
• 2014 - The Rev'd Mishael Andy visited Coventry to build links with Coventry South, Nuneaton, and Fosse deaneries.
• 2015
  • Education - Ann Saxton ran a workshop for teachers from 9 primary schools, alongside two teachers from Kaduna. 
  • Children's books - Since 2003 around 12,000 books have been send to schools in Kaduna. Many consignments were lost along the way, and unfortunately the project has now ceased.
  • Jacaranda Farm - a farm was built to train Christians and Muslims together.
  • Medical Clinic - A clinic has been established at Kateri, in part with funds generated in the diocese of Coventry.
  • Church Links - The only partially successful church link has been between St Peter's Kineton and St Christopher's Kaduna. This has primarily involved prayer requests, though recently video links have been established between small groups.