SHINING THE LIGHT OF HOPE AND REPAIR IN TIMES OF DESPAIR
The last global pandemic brought with it too many challenges, and as we pondered what would be the fate of our people at home, it struck us that if the mental health of those living in developed countries could deteriorate because of COVID-19 stressors, then those in various communities in Nigeria would be facing serious dilemmas. Our organization, Chisovn/CIFHF, has been on the ground since 2017 to support individuals with mental health disorders. Before Covid, we had been relating to patients battling with depression through psychotherapy. We made real progress, even though it was small, because we were involved at the time in advocacy and awareness, focusing on raising funds for our vocational rehab.
In early 2021, we were informed of a young man afflicted with schizophrenia since 2009. AB was in his first year at the university when he had his first episode; it was during the preparation for his exam. Although he was treated, he relapsed in 2017 and didn’t receive appropriate treatment again until we took over in 2021. The most painful part of AB’s story is that he never returned to campus again, and his aged mother is the only one taking care of him. As an organization, we spent approximately N1,200,000 ($1,200) for initial stabilization, N30,000 ($30) for the first doctor's visit, and N5,000 ($5) for subsequent doctor's visits. Today, AB’s 33 and married. The organization supported him with the sum of N500,000 ($500) to start a stationary business, which he is managing with his mother. Although he still has some challenges, we are aware that the treatment of mental health disorders is lifelong. Yes, we are firm in our commitment to help AB’s fully regain his life and contribute to the development of his community. We continue to pay for his medications and doctor's visits. He still has needs as his young wife has had three miscarriages; that is why we are calling on men and women of goodwill to show forth and support our effort through donations to shine the light of hope and repair in the life of others.
In the same year, 2021, we took another person, a young woman, off the streets. She was suffering from acute schizophrenia. At the time, a friend of the organization saw BC naked, roaming the streets, and picking things up at the refuse dumpsite. She is an orphan and a 35-year-old woman whom God showed mercy through Chisovn/CIFHF. The organization interviewed her after two months on admission and traced her family back to her community in Enugu State; to the glory of God, her half-brother and elder sister were contacted. From April of that year, when she was admitted to the Psychiatric Hospital, we spent approximately N3,500,000 ($3,500) on the cost of her treatment. Since her discharge from the hospital, we have been supporting the family with N20,000 ($20) monthly stipends to provide feeding, and in addition, we cover her doctor’s visits and medications. Today, BC has her life back and is living with her half-brother. She recently indicated interest in going into the secondhand clothing business and proposed the sum of N560,000 ($560) for the business, and we plan to provide her with the capital to thrive. We are confident that when we provide her with the tools to thrive back in due course, she will contribute to the development of her community.
Our goal is to see lives transformed and communities impacted because we believe that God created man to be a helper in times of need to their fellow man. On December 1, 2022, we coordinated the treatment of another patient, this time a young brilliant man, who had his first episode while in one of the Nigerian Law schools in 2015. CD’s battle with schizophrenia reflects the challenges many families face when a loved one is suffering from the disorder. We coordinated his admission and treatment in the Psychiatric hospital until he was discharged; he is 42 years old. Approximately N850,000 ($850) was spent by our organization on his treatment. We are currently supporting his family with medications. He is gradually piecing his life together and may soon go back to law school.
We have three other new patients whose ages are DE-27, EF-36, and FG-43, for whom the organization is sponsoring their treatment and rehabilitation, and we are not relenting on our mission to end the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and empower people living with these disorders. Through awareness campaigns and advocacy, more impact is going to be made. In West Africa, mental health disorders are sometimes regarded as a curse and can only be treated through religious means. Over the years, we have seen patients whose families had lost hope in the possibility of their healing regain their lives through the consistent use of medications and abstinence from illicit drugs. This gives us joy; our innermost pleasure is seeing families wear smiling faces as their children and relatives regain their lives. Do not add to their challenges; let your words be a soothing balm and your actions be a relief to those suffering from mental health disorders. It may sometimes be tiring, but recognizing that they are special people will help us in our journey to create impact and transform lives. We have a total of six (6) patients.
We are grateful to everyone who has contributed their time and resources to help us continue to help these patients and their families, especially Dr. Calista Ijeoma Chukwu, who started supplying us with medications from her pharmacy.
Together, we can accomplish a lot! Please come and join us! Thank you.
Josiah C. Nnamani,
Coordinator,
Chisovn/CIFHF Enugu,
Nigeria.
February 4, 2024