2011 started out with very difficult challenges for the ministry with the breakdown of two truck engines for Ebenezer I Rig, and Ebenezer II Water truck as well as the big Indian Piston Pump used for drilling.
On top of that, we lost our new Equipment Manager in the South in the person of Ugochukwu Nwaonu who suddenly passed away from cardiac arrest.
By the special grace of God, we were able to remain resilient and continued to make progress in all the zones of Nigeria where we worked across 15 States to complete 24 projects. In the North Central zone, challenges with than optimum equipment, and disappointments suffered from an implementing Korean Contract firm we quickly resolved by bringing another experienced partner to complete our engagements there for LWI and partners.
A number of video recordings from our various mission trips
in 2011 have also been posted at our
Asonze YouTube video
channel here.
In all, here’s a summary of what we achieved in 2011.
1. ABIA State: Completed 1 deep well at AMANGWU early in the year, and 2 other shallow wells. Ebenezer I, II, and V Rig and Water trucks had serious accidents and damages that needed extensive repair work, including engine repairs / replacements during most of 2011. Additional emergency funds were raised to accomplish these tasks by the end of 2011.
2. NASARAWA State: Completed the LWI – GWORM projects we had some challenges before overcoming them. Two of those projects were carry-over projects from 2010: BAKIN KOGI and ANGWAR ZARIA, where we drilled 3 wells in 2011 to get a good successful well. Also well rehabs and training of locals at BAKIN KOGI, GIDA KWURA, and where I did rehab with Pastor Sunday. We also implemented a Rehab project at MASAKA for GWORM.
3. IMO State: 1 deep well at OKWU-IKEDURU was done in the April - May timeframe, and 1 Stainless Steel Hand PUMP installation done at a deep well in Umunneme Ogberuru, along with 2 solar submersible Pump test demo done in OGBERURU, ORLU.
4. Rivers State: 1 Shallow well and 1 Rehab
5. EBONYI State: 3 mid-to deep wells (Be sure to take a look at the Facebook posts on the Water Relief web page).
6. Benue State: 7 wells done with the Chinese Rig – some 3 LWI sponsored wells, and others private party wells with RNM ministry discount; and 1 Rehab project at MKAR University
7. ANAMBARA State: 1 deep well completed at AKWU, near UFUMA in Dec. 2011
8. Lagos State: 1 Shallow well completed at Eric Moore Village
9. Medical Outreach at OHAFIA-AMANGWU in ABIA State; and ISU / NWANGELE LGA in Imo State
10. Health & Hygiene trainer trainings and community water sanitation and hygiene training sessions.
11. We were able to moved Sharjeel Shakeel’s entire family of 6 from Pakistan to Nigeria by assisting them obtain visas and flight tickets for travel, and raised funds to settle them in an apartment in Nigeria for 12 months as they serve as our missionary in Nigeria.
Sharjeel is our rig maintenance mechanical engineer – technician that also teaches operational safety and some drilling.
He has continued to impart job skills to our local people on various parts of the Chinese Rig, and the Air Compressor and other diesel engines / gen sets.
12. Completed our full Audit Review Process by engaging a Professional CPA firm and worked with the Better Business Bureau to meet their Standards.
Early in 2012, we shall issue our Annual Report for 2011 with more details and photo journals of our journey and the achievements and challenges of 2011, most of which we’ve overcome with your kind and continued support.
Please help us promote our 10th Anniversary Gala video posted on YouTube as "Faces of Relief in Nigeria" by Michael David-Reilly
Zing TARABA State Nigeria: January 27, 2012 to February 7, 2012 - Zing Pump Repair and WASH / Community Engagement for Sustainability
Work in Niger Republic: February 10 - February 17, 2012: Survey Trip for Geophysical Survey and Community mapping
Acknowledgements: On behalf of our Board of Directors, I wish to gratefully acknowledge with many thanks - all the donors and volunteers / partners that make our work possible and easy.
Your gifts and prayers are deeply appreciated.
May the good Lord of Heaven keep you safe in the palm of His Hands.
A. Sunny Okorie for RNM, Inc.
(President / Co-Founder)
www.relief-networks.org . Praise the Lord!