EARTHWARD
Bewitched
Turn your vision earthward -
'Tis we must lend
a hand.
Does the word "witch" conjure up
images of black cats and
broomsticks in your mind? Or perhaps an attractive young
housewife whose uncontrollable nose twitching gets her mortal husband
into one
unbelievable predicament after another? At one time,
religious settlers of the East coast of North America took their
"witches" somewhat more seriously. In central Africa, that time
is now. In Nigeria, as in Salem of the past, those accused of
witchcraft, typically those perceived as "different" and especially
those confirmed as witches by the religious authorities, are commonly
subject to public humiliation, incarceration, torture and
execution.
Exodus 22:18 - Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
In Salem, one of those perceived
"differences" was erratic
dancing that was then thought to be caused by demonic possession, and
is now believed to have been the symptoms of neurological disorders
such as Huntington's Chorea. Central Africa has no shortage of
diseases that cause involuntary muscle contraction and uncontrollable
chaotic
movement of the extremities. Of course this is only one example
among many of peculiarities that might be deemed clear evidence of
witchcraft.
Our affiliate, Nigerian Humanist Movement,
has brought to our
attention a particularly disturbing practice in their region that
involves serious abuse, and sometimes murder, of children accused of
witchery. The President of NHM, Mr. Leo Igwe, travelled to an
area where this practice is rampant, met with many of these child
victims, and provided us with the photos presented on this page,
Mr. Igwe appears at right with some of these children, and with a
larger group below.
An excellent article on this issue
may be found at http://tinyurl.com/3jnxc7
Related photos and a video report may be seen at http://tinyurl.com/58nk9w and http://tinyurl.com/2cjpgb,
respectively.
In Mr. Igwe's words, "I discussed with the coordinators what we
can do in the short and long term. This
is what I think; these children need immediate assistance in terms of
FOOD, SHELTER, CLOTHING AND HEALTH CARE. Yes some groups are
assisting, but from what I saw on the ground, it is inadequate.
The children look
malnourished and sick Some of them are loitering the streets in search
of food. So I think we have to start from these basics."
We at NHM and EARTHWARD
plead for your assistance in providing for the urgent needs of these
ostracised and brutalized children. Until further notice, all
donations to our
Nigeria Fund, will be dispatched to NHM for the purchase of
urgently needed items and distribution to the child victims.
Burns and a large machette wound can be seen on the head
of this young victim.
Please donate by selecting a
currency, entering an amount, and clicking the Nigerian Fund button
below. Any
amount is very much appreciated. US donors may claim a tax
exemption for their donation (see further info here)..
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