Stepping Stones (charity)
Encyclopedia
Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN) is a UK registered charity that works with and through Nigerian partners to protect and uphold child rights in the Niger Delta
region of Nigeria
. It was founded by Gary Foxcroft in 2005. Stepping Stones Nigeria is based in Lancaster
, England
. The organisation has 4 full-time and 3 part-time staff and is overseen by a Board of Trustees. Stepping Stones Nigeria’s patrons are Sir Tim Lankester
, Dr Owens Wiwa
and Comfort Momoh
MBE.
. After witnessing the plight of abandoned children living rough on the streets and the poor state of the region’s education system, Foxcroft vowed to return and build a school for disadvantaged children. He also met an inspirational local head teacher, Grace Udua, who generously offered to donate her family land as the site for the school.
Upon return to the UK, Foxcroft and his wife Naomi set about raising the funds needed to help establish a model school. Stepping Stones Nigeria was registered as a charity with the UK Charity Commission in December 2005. Gary and Naomi then returned to Nigeria during 2006 to build the Stepping Stones Model School with support from the local community.
Whilst living in Nigeria and working on the school, Gary and Naomi became aware of a number of children living on the streets who had been abandoned and abused due to the belief that they were ‘witches’. They then began to work with local Nigerian NGOs to help to support these children and to campaign for their rights.
documentary called ‘Saving Africa’s Witch Children’.
This programme first aired 12 November 2008 and told the story of young children who had been labeled Witches and Wizards by their family and community and left abandoned, tortured, imprisoned or killed in the delta state of Akwa Ibom
in Nigeria. The programme followed Gary Foxcroft and Sam Itauma, a Nigerian who started a school and centre for the abandoned children called CRARN
(Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network). The programme suggests that the problem is caused by a combination of African traditional beliefs and extreme Christian Pentecostal groups. In particular the programme singles out Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries
for producing a film called "End of the Wicked" which the charity workers blame for the increase in children being abandoned by their families.
by an uncle, who uses courage and imagination to overcome a challenging situation.
Niger Delta
The Niger Delta, the delta of the Niger River in Nigeria, is a densely populated region sometimes called the Oil Rivers because it was once a major producer of palm oil...
region of Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. It was founded by Gary Foxcroft in 2005. Stepping Stones Nigeria is based in Lancaster
Lancaster
Lancaster, usually derived from Lancaster, Lancashire, in England, can refer to:- Lands and titles :*The County Palatine of Lancaster, a synonym for Lancashire*Duchy of Lancaster, one of only two British duchies*Duke of Lancaster*Earl of Lancaster...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The organisation has 4 full-time and 3 part-time staff and is overseen by a Board of Trustees. Stepping Stones Nigeria’s patrons are Sir Tim Lankester
Tim Lankester
Sir Tim Lankester, KCB was President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, England.Tim Lankester was born in 1942 and educated at Monkton Combe School....
, Dr Owens Wiwa
Owens Wiwa
Monday Owens Wiwa is a medical doctor and human rights activist. He is the brother of executed Ogoni leader Ken Saro-Wiwa, and the son of Ogoni chief Jim Wiwa. Wiwa is an internationally renowned expert on the effects of globalization, especially as it relates to the highly controversial business...
and Comfort Momoh
Comfort Momoh
Comfort Iyabo Amah Momoh is a midwife in England who specializes in the study and treatment of female genital mutilation . Originally from Nigeria, she is a public health official at Guy's Hospital in London, where in 1997 she set up the African Well Women's Clinic, dedicated to caring for women...
MBE.
History
According to its website, in 2003 Gary Foxcroft visited Nigeria to undertake research into community perceptions of the oil industry for his Masters degree at Lancaster UniversityLancaster University
Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a leading research-intensive British university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964 and initially based in St Leonard's Gate until moving to a purpose-built 300 acre campus at...
. After witnessing the plight of abandoned children living rough on the streets and the poor state of the region’s education system, Foxcroft vowed to return and build a school for disadvantaged children. He also met an inspirational local head teacher, Grace Udua, who generously offered to donate her family land as the site for the school.
Upon return to the UK, Foxcroft and his wife Naomi set about raising the funds needed to help establish a model school. Stepping Stones Nigeria was registered as a charity with the UK Charity Commission in December 2005. Gary and Naomi then returned to Nigeria during 2006 to build the Stepping Stones Model School with support from the local community.
Whilst living in Nigeria and working on the school, Gary and Naomi became aware of a number of children living on the streets who had been abandoned and abused due to the belief that they were ‘witches’. They then began to work with local Nigerian NGOs to help to support these children and to campaign for their rights.
Saving Africa's Witch Children
The work of Stepping Stones Nigeria was featured in an award-winning Channel 4 DispatchesDispatches (TV series)
Dispatches is the British television current affairs documentary series on Channel 4, first transmitted in 1987. The programme covers issues about British society, politics, health, religion, international current affairs and the environment, usually featuring a mole in an organisation.-Awards:*...
documentary called ‘Saving Africa’s Witch Children’.
This programme first aired 12 November 2008 and told the story of young children who had been labeled Witches and Wizards by their family and community and left abandoned, tortured, imprisoned or killed in the delta state of Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom is a state in Nigeria named after the Qua Iboe river. It is located in the coastal South-Southern part of the country, lying between latitudes 4°321 and 5°331 North, and longitudes 7°251 and 8°251 East...
in Nigeria. The programme followed Gary Foxcroft and Sam Itauma, a Nigerian who started a school and centre for the abandoned children called CRARN
Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network
Child's Right and Rehabilitation Network is a charity organisation based in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria that works to safeguard the rights of a child....
(Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network). The programme suggests that the problem is caused by a combination of African traditional beliefs and extreme Christian Pentecostal groups. In particular the programme singles out Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries
Helen Ukpabio
Helen Ukpabio is the founder and head of African Evangelical franchise Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries based in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. She was born in the village of Mbente, Imo State, Nigeria and is married to Dr. Elijah Ukpabio. She has three children.During her early life she...
for producing a film called "End of the Wicked" which the charity workers blame for the increase in children being abandoned by their families.
Return to Africa's Witch Children
A second documentary in 2009 called ‘Return to Africa’s Witch Children’ revisits Akwa Ibom State to record the changes brought about by Stepping Stones Nigeria and CRARN's work.Prevent Abuse of Children Today (PACT) Campaign
PACT is a global campaign that aims to give a voice to the voiceless and bring about long-term change for the Nigerian child, particularly those at risk of child rights violations including witchcraft-related abuse and trafficking. Through its coalition of supporters PACT pressures key leaders and decision makers in Nigeria to take action. PACT also use a wide variety of other tools, such as media campaigns, demonstrations and conferences to enlighten and inform people and to fight for the rights of innocent children.'The Fake Prophet' - Nollywood Film
Working in partnership with Nollywood Director Teco Benson, Stepping Stones Nigeria produced this "ground breaking film that powerfully encapsulates many major child rights issues that the Nigerian child faces today, including child witchcraft accusations, child trafficking and child abandonment". In July 2011 the The Fake Prophet premièred in Nigeria.Eno's Story
Stepping Stones Nigeria together with Nigerian publisher Cassava Republic published a children's story book called Eno's Story. Written by Ayodele Olofintuade, Eno's Story is a moving and beautifully illustrated story about Eno a young girl branded a witchWitchcraft and children
A 2008 article in the Los Angeles Times from Associated Press reports that thousands of African children have been abandoned, tortured and murdered because they are believed to be witches. While in the West the belief in witchcraft has largely died out, the burning and murdering of “witches” was...
by an uncle, who uses courage and imagination to overcome a challenging situation.
See also
- Akwa Ibom State
- False prophetFalse prophetIn religion, a false prophet is one who falsely claims the gift of prophecy, or who uses that gift for evil ends. Often, someone who is considered a "true prophet" by some people is simultaneously considered a "false prophet" by others....
- Niger DeltaNiger DeltaThe Niger Delta, the delta of the Niger River in Nigeria, is a densely populated region sometimes called the Oil Rivers because it was once a major producer of palm oil...
- Nollywood
- Witchcraft and childrenWitchcraft and childrenA 2008 article in the Los Angeles Times from Associated Press reports that thousands of African children have been abandoned, tortured and murdered because they are believed to be witches. While in the West the belief in witchcraft has largely died out, the burning and murdering of “witches” was...