Amiru's Story- A Call To Unite Against Climate Crisis and Poverty

Amiru's life had never been easy. As a six-year-old boy, he already knew what it was like to go hungry for days on end. He lived with his middle-aged mother and four siblings in a yet-to-be-completed apartment in a Gudaba village of the Federal Capital Territory. They were homeless and victims of the climate change crisis and insecurity that was ravaging northern Nigeria. Drought, desertification, banditry, and hunger had forced millions of people in the region to flee their homes in the past 15 years, and Amiru's family was one of the many who had been left with nowhere to go.

Despite their dire circumstances, Amiru and his family refused to give up. His mother would send his older siblings to beg for food on the streets, and they would come back with whatever they could find, no matter how little. Amiru's baby brother was too young to go begging, so he and his mother stayed in the apartment and prayed for a miracle.

Observing their plight for a month, the desperation etched on Amiru's mother's face impelled me to bridge the language barrier and extend a helping hand. Yet, our interaction was hampered by their limited knowledge of English and my lack of proficiency in the Hausa language, the only language they spoke.

Amiru's family is a microcosm of the larger crisis engulfing Nigeria, with 133 million people already grappling with multidimensional poverty and an alarming additional 13 million projected to join their ranks by 2025. The situation demands urgent attention, particularly in rural communities, where most impoverished reside.

My nonprofit, Rural Watch Africa Initiative -RUWAI , was founded to bring succour to families like the Amiru. RUWAI embraces a holistic approach to rural development. The initiative goes beyond providing short-term aid by focusing on capacity building and empowerment.

Through our sustainable agriculture, afforestation, skills development, and small enterprise programs, we equip farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive. RUWAI prioritize the inclusion of marginalized groups, ensuring that women and youth have equal access to resources and opportunities.

Thousands of farmers and rural dwellers, including vulnerable women and youth, are being lifted out of the abyss of poverty through RUWAI's dedicated efforts. To learn more about the RUWAI mission see the website .

However, the scale of the crisis demands collective action. The story of Amiru underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the root causes of climate change, poverty, and insecurity in Nigeria. As RUWAI extends its reach, there is a clarion call for collaboration, advocacy, and support to create lasting change for families like Amiru's, ensuring a future free from the shackles of poverty and despair.

To donate to the organization visit the organization's fundraiser page on GlobalGiving