Over two decade ago, a Nigerian priest who lives in Rome manifested a dream to his parishioners. The dream was to change the destiny of many people through education and sustainable health. Rev. Fr. Boniface Duru, a Catholic priest from Orlu Diocese in Eastern Nigeria turned his vision into his work for a green action. Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde is designed to promote human development all over the world through training, formation and holistic education of children and adults to make them protagonists of their own societies where they can make meaningful and democratic changes for positive development. For over 20 years, Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde has taken bold steps towards promoting human development in Nigeria in particular and the world in general through holistic education and training of children from nursery level to the university.
The organization also championed the implementation of socio-health programmes aimed at guaranteeing right to health care to vulnerable Africans who were socially excluded. According to Fr. Boniface, “Children are the wealth of every poor nation and the hope of humanity. This is our main interest. Training of children is the secret to achieving a healthy and sustainable development in the third world countries because children are the adults of tomorrow.” He further stated that holistic education of children strengthens their capacity and capability, and this directs them to formulate reasonable projects to improve the quality of life in their countries. Both children, the sick and old people need care because they are the most vulnerable members of the society.
Every year, UNICEF calls for a global commitment towards the welfare and development of children. They encourage government and individuals to build a world where every child irrespective of race and religion will be educated, enjoy healthy environment thereby fulfilling their great potentials. On the other hand, out of the 17 UN Sustainable goals, numbers 3, 4 and 11 focus on good health and wellbeing, quality education and sustainable cities and communities respectively.
Azione Verde has shown strong determination to children’s education, health and wellbeing. This has gone a long way to meet prevailing challenges in these sectors. Nigeria has the world’s highest number of out-of-school children, and one of its highest rates of maternal, child and infant mortality. More than four million children are unimmunized and tens of millions of Nigerians still do not have access to clean water and proper sanitation, putting children’s health at risk.
There is no gain saying the fact that Nigerian children have a huge role to play in the development of the country in the future. It is the generation of children growing up today who will take their place as Nigeria’s leaders of tomorrow and accelerate its growth and development. The healthy development of children is also crucial to the future well-being of any society. Many Nigerian children, especially those who live in the rural communities are still affected by poor living conditions, poverty, inadequate health care, poor nutrition, unsafe water, housing and environmental pollution.
The mission of Azione Verde towards human capacity development all over the world through training, formation and holistic education of children and adults to make them protagonists of their own societies where they can make meaningfully and democratically changes for positive development cannot be over emphasized.
The organization with her team from Italy and other parts of the world from the beginning lined up programmes and activities to meet her vision in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Some of these projects are being carried out in Amaigbo in Nwangele local government area of Imo State Nigeria. This developmental model commenced 20 years ago with the plan of extending to other African countries in no distant future.
The platforms applied towards this developmental model range from education, health and financial empowerment of widows to spiritual, welfare and social integration. For these number of years, they have been promoting social and health programmes which has guaranteed basic health and social inclusion to the children, women and other vulnerable members of the society in Nigeria.
JOURNEY OF HOPE
Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde has over 1000 associates including members, supporters, friends and volunteers in Italy and other parts of the world. Since 2002, her team members and volunteers have been bringing succor, love and hope to the sick, the down trodden, the poor and the children both in Imo State and beyond. Every year, volunteers comprising health professionals visit thousands of patients and provide health care services at no costs. The organization had also continually sent many children who were unable to afford education to school on scholarship. Annual camping exercises were held to encourage interaction, bonding and love. This is what the organization refers to as “Viaggio della speranza” (Journey of hope). It is an expression of love where people from different races and classes share feelings for each other thereby promoting boundless affection.
Furthermore, the Organization carries out annual scholarship program in Nigeria to encourage students to continue their university studies in specialized and professional training programs and job placement abroad. One of the interesting aspect of the journey of hope is the collective adoption and sponsorship of children in Nigeria. It gives them sense of belonging and sustainable patronage.
AZIONE VERDE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
The philosophy that animates the Azione Verde International School established in 2022 is based on holistic education and personal growth. Teachers train students to become actors in the transformation of their society.
The school equips children with the skills and knowledge they need to compete in the global economy, and later create jobs, and ultimately through this, reduce poverty. Education acts as a powerful equalizer, breaking down socio-economic barriers and fostering inclusivity. Azione Verde is totally committed to providing quality education to all, irrespective of background, and also ensures that many Nigerian children have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic tapestry.
Azione Verde International School located in Amaigbo in Imo state, Nigeria provides holistic education to many students. This goes beyond reading and writing. Rev. Father Boniface Ifeanyi Duru said the institution was birthed out of his believe and love for humanity and for children to go to school beyond limitations, bearing in mind that education is the future where the children belong.
From inception, the management of the school from the nursery to the primary section have shown thorough dedication to their academic and administrative duties. Their products have also been tested as one of the best within the period of existence.
AZIONE VERDE UNIVERSITY
The biggest project in the line of the organization’s mission is the establishment of the Azione Verde University in Nigeria. This university will create the culture of peace, justice and the enhancement of human dignity in the world through the holistic education and training.
The Campus, located in Amaigbo in Nwangele local government area of Imo State in Nigeria covers an area of over 75 hectares that comprises university faculties, laboratories, canteen, lecture hall, accommodation, sports centre, church, library and clinic. It will offer opportunities for over 5000 students in the areas of science and technology, business management and entrepreneurship.
AQUA VIVA HOSPITAL
As an important element of national security, public health not only functions to provide adequate and timely medical care but also track, monitor, and control disease and ailments. The Nigerian health care had suffered several infectious disease outbreaks year after year. Hence, there is need to tackle the problem. Public health contributes towards the provision of optimal health for all Nigerians in line with existing National Health Policy. This is one of the missions of Azione Verde.
Aqua Viva Hospital was established to meet the demanding health care of the people especially those residing in rural communities. It provides health care to thousands of people who live within Amaigbo and beyond. The hospital is equipped with laboratories for diagnosis of different pathologies. Aqua Viva Hospital has regular supply of drugs from Italy to meet the needs of the patients. A photovoltaic system has also been provided to reduce the energy consumption in the hospital.
Every summer, the organization hosts medical volunteers from Italy who visit the country to sensitize and promote public health. They also use the opportunity to provide healthcare to the people. This always brought joy and happiness to the people especially those at the bottom of the pyramid.
WIDOW’S EMPOWERMENT
Apart from the education and healthcare, Azione Verde has also empowered many women, especially widows through micro credit programmes. These women find life difficult after the death of their husbands. In most cases, they are exposed to hardship, sickness and death. The microfinance programme has helped many of them to regain hope, meet their daily needs and sustain life through engagement in micro business activities.
According to the founder of Azione Verde, Fr. Boniface Duru, the progress of this mission in Nigeria would not have been this successful without the support from various institutions in Italy and beyond; groups, volunteers, donors and even students. In order to promote the mission, the organization collaborates with institutions, public and private donors, members, and benefactors in raising funds and other forms of support for the implementation of these laudable programmes. The financial resources donated by various benefactors are used to provide the basic needs, food, health services and tuition.
