Yola staff and volunteers are now using a strategic business planning tool to focus on critical activities and evaluate what they do.

They have greater understanding of their strengths and areas they should develop, and practical ways of monitoring activities in churches and schools.

Their priorities for the next two years are increasing visits to schools and churches, taking ministry into areas that were occupied by Boko Haram, supporting congregations impacted by the insurgency, persuading local Christians to become financial donors and recruiting new volunteers.

Jos volunteer team leader Alfred Mshelizah and international coordinator Tassie Ghata spent two days in Yola in late August, helping team leaders Tony Sudan and Bitrus Tari plan for the future.

They took the strategic planning traffic light system UK leadership consultant Kate Register introduced into the Jos headquarters team back in April, as well as to UK trustees during 2017.

Tassie said: “Both staff members and volunteers feel more energised, they are encouraged to tackle the issues and also build on their strengths. They have real passion for the many people suffering from years of violence in the surrounding areas and have the courage to reach out and help.”

Tassie and Alfred also took with them 20 crates of books from charity Book Aid. Yola staff will run regular book sales to raise funds for local ministry in schools and churches.