News

The latest issue of Seo agus Siud is now available on member sites.

A DREAM COME TRUE!

“Unless the Lord provides the House They labour in vain who toil”

Psalm 127:1

We, the members of COSUDOW (Committee for the Support of the Dignity of Women) are delighted to share with you the good news that we now have a home and office in Lagos, in a place very close to the International Airport. This is indeed a dream come true, thanks to God and his willing and powerful agents:

§ Sr. Eugenia Bonetti and Collaborators
§ Sr. Laetizia Pappalardo
§ Rev. Fr. Bayhi Geffery and Parishioners
§ Sr. Mary McGann and the Mercy Sisters of Yola
§ St. Patrick Fathers
§ Amy Roth and Helen Bannigan
§ Nigeria Conference of Women Religious
§ Sisters of St. Louis have been magnanimous, together with Our Lady of Apostle Sisters and the Religious Sisters of Charity
§ The Jesuit Fathers and Brothers have been very supportive
§ Gea Jengen, A member of Lagos COSUDOW has been an asset.

There are many others who have contributed in many ways be it moral support, expertise, etc etc. We are greatly indebted to all of you and assure you of our prayers.

The house we occupy now is rented for two years. The Landlady, Ms. Olufunmilola Aina Ilori has been outstanding in her generosity and co-operation. Our link here is the Catholic Church, through its able Parish Priest Rt. Rev. Dr. Msgr. John Aniagwu and a willing parishioner, Arc. Paul Onwuzurike. These and many others have made it possible for us to get a place in Lagos. Sr. Eugenia Bonetti, MC worked so hard that the room for the ladies is called Bonetti Room.
Our presence in Lagos has been strengthened by CMC (Center Mission Commission) of Netherlands through Dorien Verbeek with the collaboration of Ivonne van de Kaar and Elma van de Nnouland of SRTV. CMC is sponsoring my activities as ANAHT (African Network Against Human Trafficking) co-coordinator. We have just concluded a successful workshop in Ghana.
The proceedings and further information on that will follow immediately. SOLWODI (Solidarity with Women in Distress) through Charlotte Becker, is another of our reliable collaborators who is assisting to ensure our active presence in Lagos. I cannot forget Sr. Ngozi Uti,HHCJ who has supported us in many ways. A Novena of Masses will be offered for all our intentions, those I mentioned and those I failed to mention, carrying in our hearts, the vulnerable and marginalized, all those for whom we are here!

The house has five bedrooms, one study room which we use as chapel, A big living room serving as office/sitting room and two rooms in the Boys’ Quarters for our supporting staff.

Some of the ladies come and go! The house is yet to be furnished but our Religious congregations have been generous enough to provide us with some of our basic needs.
This Lagos Accommodation is to serve various purposes:
 Welcome / transit home for those who are either deported or choose to return voluntarily
 Drop-in-home for those who are being rehabilitated in Lagos for counseling and other follow – up activities
Carrying out COSUDOW activities of Sensitization, Awareness Creation, Family Tracing and Collaboration with other agencies that share our mission and vision
ANAHT and INRATIP (International Network of Religious Against Trafficking in Persons) Co-ordination
 We are flexible and open in responding to needs
On the whole, we are here to assist our Sisters in distress especially those deported or who choose to return voluntarily. As stated above, it is from here that I carry out my assignment as ANAHT and INRATIP coordinator and other forms of networking.

Some of the challenges facing us are : Means of transportation for meeting the ladies at the airport and taking them to their various destinations and carrying out other assignments such as organizing awareness raising programmes etc.
Finance to assist those ladies who are deported with absolutely nothing and who now look up to us for every assistance
Some of our collaborators send the ladies to us and assist us financially with their rehabilitation and reintegration. To these we remain grateful. Others just call us and ask us to go and meet the ladies at the airport, empty handed. These pose the greatest challenges. It will be greatly appreciated if those sending these sisters of ours back to us can assist us to assist them.
Another challenge is this – this house is rented for two years. What happens after two years!!!! It is our hope and desire that after the two years we get our own property. Paying rent in Lagos is exorbitant!

Once more we express our deep appreciation to all who have helped us in one way or the other. If I failed to mention your name, be assured that your reward will be greater in heaven because your Father who sees all that is done in secret will surely reward you’ (Matt. 5.4)
 

We look forward to greater collaboration.
Sr. Patricia Ebegbulem, SSL

For and on behalf of COSUDOW, Lagos Branch