So, let me ask you….do you know WHY SFA is working in Nigeria?  

First and foremost, it is because GOD called us here, to come to the aid of the Fulani – a tribe beloved of Him.

When we arrived, we found a big PROBLEM. But quickly on the heels of the PROBLEM, came a SOLUTION, and along with that SOLUTION, came a PROMISE! And a VISION for the future of the Fulani in Nigeria!  

PROBLEM – SOLUTION – PROMISE – VISION ! Let me explain:  

1.          The PROBLEM . This quickly revealed itself to be serious enmity between these nomadic herdsmen and all surrounding tribes. The Fulani’s lives and lifestyle center around their cattle, hence, they live in the bush with their animals, isolated from other tribes. They are separated from the others by culture, language, lifestyle and education.  

Fulani clash with others wherever they go, and because their cattle require grass and water, the herdsmen wander about the country, up and down, creating problems everywhere. Not purposefully, but due to their need to care for their cattle. 

2.         The SOLUTION . The solution to bringing peace between the tribes can best be illustrated by this: An African, 3-legged cooking pot.  

The first leg is ‘The Family’, to include family health and education. Friendship. Acceptance.

The second leg is ‘The Environment’, developing the land, water resources, wildlife.

The third leg is ‘The Economy’, creating ways for the Fulani people to support themselves financially.

Now imagine that inside that pot is simmering the ‘Good Life’ for the Fulani people.  

ATTENTION TO ALL THREE LEGS IS VITAL TO THE SURVIVAL OF THAT GOOD LIFE. IF ONE LEG IS NEGLECTED, THE POT WILL FALL OVER, AND ALL WILL BE LOST. 

To care for  the environment , SFA creates grazing reserves, teaching the herdsmen to practice rotational grazing, ensuring healthy grass and renewed water sources.  

To care for  the family , we open schools for children and adults, welcoming all tribes to come and learn together. We build clinics and provide top medical care. We live together with these families, in love, friendship and understanding. 

To care for  the economy , which of course is centered around cattle, with farming thrown in as well, we provide veterinary care for the animals, in Ogun State we have a grinding project to grind grain into flour, saving the Fulani much money as they no longer have to travel far to find similar services. We are partnering with Friesland Campina, Peak Milk, in a project in which FC will buy milk from the Fulani at a good price.  

Best of all, we are securing large pieces of grazing land which will be permanent homelands for these families, safe places where they can settle down, send their children to school, graze their cattle and live in peace with their neighbors.  

3.        The PROMISE. God promises, in James 3:18, ‘PEACE MAKERS WHO SOW IN PEACE REAP A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!  That is the PROMISE on which we rely, depend and toward which we work!

4.        The VISION. JUST IMAGINE a Nigeria where the Fulani and farmers live together in friendship and peace! Where all of the children have a chance to be educated and experience a better life, with choices and opportunities beyond their wildest dreams! Where cattle graze in fields of grass, streams of water nearby, never needing to wander the streets of town seeking one withered blade here and there, where families are financially secure and stable. IMAGINE! 

 This will entail, in the next three years, visits to State governors, at least two additional grazing reserves, (Bauchi and Ondo States?) with schools and clinics on each reserve.

Can we do this! YES! WE CAN! ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE! Mark 9:23

One very exciting event is the culmination, in January 2024, of many years planning, teaching and working towards a solution for Fulani herdsmen and their families. Given the population crisis in Nigeria which seriously impacts these herdsmen and their cattle, the solution is grazing land on which they can settle permanently. In Kogi State, we’ve been able to purchase 500 hectares of land and have 40 herdsmen and their families committed to settling on this land permanently.  

The first 100 hectares houses grazing paddocks, a large barn, two boreholes and the NewPointe Primary School, a medical clinic and a veterinary clinic. All of the children are driven to the primary school. After Primary 6, they will be driven to Hope Academy Secondary School, just 15 minutes down the main road to Emiworo.  

The second 100 hectare parcel is where the herdsmen and their families will live, farm and have a market.

The third 300 hectares is divided into paddocks and will be used solely for grazing.  

We spent a full month getting these parcels ready, but as it’s still dry season, the actual grazing program won’t start until April, when the rains come. The cattle are further south where there is still some grass.

That is the Kogi State project. We call it ‘LAFIYA 2’. Lafiya is the Hausa word for PEACE!

LAFIYA 1 is In Ogun State, where, though we are challenged with finding the amount of land we have in Kogi, we are working hard with what we have!  

And what we have are 10 paddocks for grazing, the Good Shepherd Primary School, a medical clinic, grinding business to help Fulani women with their grain, and an upcoming partnership with Friesland Campina, Peak Milk, for a milk collection center where the herdsmen can sell milk at a good price.  

All of this is to help as many Fulani families as we can, showing them love. The love of Jesus for them.  

Please keep praying for us. We are so grateful to you for your interest and support in our mission to the Fulani.

God bless you,

Phyllis and Team SFA.