The children’s voices rose in excited anticipation.

Will Mrs. Sylvester come to our home?

I hope Mr. Moses comes!

I really want Uncle Alex to be here!

Rising above their voices of elation was a bus horn sounding. Their eyes went wide, and one young man couldn’t hold in his happiness. 

Is this real?! Are our teachers really here?!

The teaching team at Nigeria’s trauma-informed school wanted additional ways to connect with their students outside the classrooms. After much brainstorming and meeting about it, they decided they’d like to visit their students in their own homes. They divided into groups to visit different children’s homes, and when they arrived at a Back2Back-partnering home, the joy was palpable. The children had spent the previous da before cleaning and preparing each room. They also made a popular Nigerian snack called puff-puff to share with their teachers. 

The teachers filed into the home, and the children erupted in joy. They sat together, singing worship songs and offering tours to each teacher. The kids were wide-eyed, excited to share a new piece of their lives with trusted adults, and the bursts of laughter and big smiles were contagious. The highlight of the visits was an intentional one-on-one prayer time for each of the children. Teachers sat with their students individually and shared words of encouragement and blessings with them.

It was a day to show up for children they care for, but also resulted in each educator feeling a sense of belonging and better understanding of the students they teach everyday. Bonds were strengthened, lasting memories were made, and still today, the students reminisce about the day their teachers came to their home.

Together, from prayer warriors to sponsors to educators and caregivers, safe adults in Nigeria are stepping into stories for children, reminding them they are seen, known, and loved.