In what was an unruly village, filled with corruption, where crime was the only way of life. Two residents who decided to flout the terms of living here were Jennifer Abubakar Abena, 32 and her father, Magudo, 56. They chose to set up a charity instead, and create a more happy and honest environment. What they did not foresee was the level of success they would reach, after raising nearly $30,000 over 3 years. They built a brand new hospital, water treatment plant and a new school. Since they started, the village has developed into a town, with a gas station, stores, shops, businesses and markets. The population has risen from 80 to over 800 and people are content in their jobs and new houses.

Jennifer Abubakar Abena spoke to us about her experience, Jennifer told us “We have progressed so far in the last three years and the changes are amazing. This was once a corrupt village which had only 80 people living here. Today, the population has expanded and we now have 862 people in the town. The school has 300 students between the ages of 5 and 16 and we are hoping to build a college nearby. We funded the start-up businesses here too, which are thriving and earning us money.

We built 200 new houses and we are planning a further 150 in the coming months. All the houses are low rent properties which give people a foot on the ladder. We are immensely proud of the town now and the main road runs to the next town and has improved transport links to major cities. We have law and order and very little crime here because people choose to live as a community and help each other. It is a very special time for us.”

Her father also added “We have worked tremendously hard to accomplish this project and we hope that people enjoy living here and working here.”