Ibadan, Nigeria - April 2010

In the last seven months Andy Economides has completed two visits to Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa. The Soteria teams consisted of Alan Hounsham (43) heating engineer, James Turner (47) managing director of Star Plants Nursery, Abigail Bennett (34) teacher, Jana Stetinova (30) Soteria administrator, Toyin Kamgaing, patron of Soteria Business School and Andy Economides (53) director of Soteria Trust.

Education for Jobs
The Soteria teams focused their energy at the Soteria Business School. This vocational educational establishment is approved by the Ministry of Education in Nigeria. The Soteria School is affiliated to Chichester College, England. The school provides affordable and excellent education in Administration, IT, Computing and Business. Other subjects taught include Mathematics, English, Economics, Accounting and Entrepreneurship. The training and qualifications gained helps Africans help themselves by creating job opportunities. Soteria School imparts values such as determination, integrity, service, compassion and makes mature disciples of Christ.

Alan Hounsham installed an improved water system at the Soteria School. Adequate water is now automatically supplied from the borehole to the dormitories, toilets, kitchen and flat. Alan installed the hot water system in the school flat, carried out numerous repairs, and oversaw the installation of new electrical boxes. He installed a small 7KVA generator.

James Turner introduced an excellent staff appraisal system at the Soteria School. James and Mrs. Winnie Ogan, the principal of Soteria appraised staff for the first time. Mr. Pius Okoro, the premises manager was appraised and an excellent development plan for the next twelve months agreed. Regular appraisals will provide a valuable tool to develop skills and performance in staff. James developed existing job descriptions for the staff. James trained Soteria staff in high yield planting of vegetables. Abby Bennett’s purpose was to develop the teaching at the Soteria School. Abby inspected teachers’ lessons by sitting in lessons for a whole day. The next day Abby took an English lesson with a class full of students with teachers present watching and learning. Abby will regularly communicate with the principal to ensure improvements are fully implemented by the teachers during the months to follow. Jana Stetinova trained new staff at the Soteria School in administration and accounting. Jana supervised letters written by young people to sponsors at Prospect Children’s School and the Soteria School. Toyin Kamgaing joined the team for several days. Toyin assisted at Soteria and Prospect Schools and ministered at C.A.C Oke-Agbara.

At the Soteria graduation 46 diplomas were awarded. Eight of the students received a 2 Year International Diploma in Administration, Computing and Business from Chichester College. Pius, the premises manager and Faith, the canteen manager were married at the Soteria School with over 170 attending. This was the first Soteria wedding. Pastor Tunde Gade of the Soteria Church conducted the service and Andy Economides gave the wedding sermon. Twenty-seven books were donated for the Soteria Library, nine new computers installed in the IT department and thirty discipleship books given to new Soteria students, all from the UK.

Soteria Sponsorships
Poor parents and children were interviewed by the Soteria team at Prospect School for sponsorship consideration. 19 new Soteria sponsorships were awarded to children. Soteria Trust currently sponsors 39 children at Prospect. The Soteria School provides sponsorships for vulnerable and needy young people. This includes some living in the dormitories and being fed. It costs £19 per month to sponsor a young person at the Soteria Business School. Staff can also be sponsored at the Soteria School for the same amount. Children at Prospect Children’s School can be sponsored for £19 per month. (Please return the slip or contact the office).

The second floor of the Soteria School has been completed. This has provided two further classrooms and a small flat. Soteria Trust needs just £7,700 to provide the classroom and flat equipment and furniture.

Good News for Schools
Andy Economides presented the Good News and took three consecutive seminars on the theme of ‘Jesus, Lord, Saviour and Friend’ at the famous Sunshine International Secondary School with 180 students attending. Discipleship seminars were also taken at the Baptist Secondary School by Andy and Pius Okoro. This was followed by a football match between the Baptist School and Soteria School. The Baptist Secondary team beat Soteria and won the shield. The winning players all received a gospel book and small gift. The game was watched by students and staff from both schools. A wonderful day.

The Word
Andy Economides proclaimed the Good News, or gave Bible teaching on practical Christian living at C.A.C. Oke-Agbara with Rev. Michael Olowere, Miracle of Faith Church with Rev. Matthew Anyanwu, Oke-Ado Baptist Church with Rev. Bernard Bayode and the Soteria Church with Pastor Tunde Gade. During both trips Andy Economides spoke to over 6300 people. Prayer, ministry and council was offered by the Soteria teams. The Soteria Church is feeding poor beggars on the streets and orphans every second Saturday of the month.