Today is the first anniversary of the Boko Haram terrorist abduction and enslavement of hundreds of teenage school girls from Chibok, Nigeria. The terrorists took the girls from a State run boarding school, driving them off into the forests. Several of the girls escaped. Their names are changed to protect their identity but their harrowing stories are told in this BBC report. One of them hid in the compound when the raid took placed, two of them jumped from speeding trucks racing away from the scene of the attack and two of them escaped from the Boko Haram terrorist camp making their way back to civilization through dangerous, terrorist held, territory.
Today, the girls are students at Canyonville Christian Academy in Canyonville, Oregon where they continue to pursue their educations.
Last night students, representing thirty countries, lit 219 candles at the school in Canyonville, Oregon. The candles represented Chibok girls still missing
The following letter, composed by students and teachers, will be read aloud at today’s special ceremony.
“To the girls still held captive. You may think that you are forgotten. But you are mistaken. We have never stopped thinking of you, never stopped praying for you and never stopped loving you. You are not alone. You are not forgotten. And one day the whole world will celebrate your freedom. Someday people everywhere will say of any lost and hopeless cause, don’t give up, be brave, remember the Chibok girls? Remember how they finally came home? We will be waiting for you with open arms. You are not alone. You are not alone.”
Tonight, the Empire State Building will be lit up in special colors to honor the Chibok girls. For those wishing to help the girls donations can be made to the Chibok Girls’ Scholarship Fund.
Doug Wead 