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From the Heart: First-Hand Account of Nigeria Trip
Posted on June 25, 2009

The Nigeria trip to Benin City and Lagos was a trip with a few different goals, and with the combination of determination, support from local organizations, and love, those goals were able to be accomplished.

Although  the shipping container with 5,000 pairs of shoes was not released during the team's stay in Nigeria, the team was still able to fit about a thousand children and adults with new shoes throughout the duration of their stay.

Shoe distribution sites included the home church of Andrew Lovedale (Davidson College basketball player '09), an orphanage, a village school outside of  Benin City, Owina Primary school, and a free school run by Lovedale's church.  
Lovedale's church, Gospel Life Church, welcomed the team with vastly open arms and formed an unbeatable ring of support!  More than 30 volunteers showed up on one day's notice to help at three shoe distributions--and they showed up with open hearts. The Gospel Life Church will continue the team's mission and their team will mean so much more as they will be Nigerians serving Nigerians. When the full shipping container of 5,000 pairs of shoes is released, The Gospel of Life Church will be distributing the shoes.

In addition to shoe distributions, several clinics were held at the basketball court where Lovedale grew up playing basketball.  Lovedale was a huge role model for over 150 teens and adults - this was evident in the mass of people who showed up at the courts to learn tips, run drills, and talk with Lovedale and Manny.
The team instilled a lot of hope and helped a lot of young adults realize what else there is in the world - not just in terms of their own gain, but in regards to helping others. The young adults enjoyed playing games and performing drills lead by Coach Sue Semrau(Florida State Women's Basketball), Manny, other mission team members and Lovedale. 
The courts were painted with fresh paint, and new goals were erected.  The team has also made a pledge for each member to raise at least $1,000 in donations that will go towards a real school building for the children they saw in an impoverished river community in Lagos.
This team that traveled to Nigeria continues to make a difference, and we are looking forward to a return trip to Nigeria.

Morgan Clark
Assistant Director, Marketing and Promotions
Davidson College Athletics - Promotions