| THE SAFE AND CLEAN ENVIRONMENT Introduction It is no longer news to say the our city of Jos and indeed most of the towns in Plateau State are full of filth and dirt. The problem of filth and dirt is that it affects negatively our existence in that environment. Even church compounds can be described in this way, and perhaps some villages can best be described as rubbish dumps. The lack of hygiene reduces productivity and invites Satan because filth may well drive away the presence of God. “Because the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to save you and to give up your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy, that he may not see anything indecent among you, and turn away from you.” (Dt.23:14) The context of this verse is a requirement given by God for his holy people to show holiness by cleanliness; to build toilets, incinerators and to do away with all filth from the camp of God’s people because anything that is not holy, anything that is not clean, anything that is indecent in the camp will actually drive away the presence of the Lord. We must work for a clean and safe environment. We must get back to teaching it in schools, both primary and secondary, and at the Christian Institute. We must teach it in the church and pastors must be at the forefront of this campaign as we teach it from the pulpits and live it in an exemplary way. “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it; the world and all its people belong to him.” (Psalm 24:1) Moreover, men and women have been made the custodians of God’s earth “to tend and care for it” (Gen. 2:15). In reality, however, today we see polythene bags, sugar cane chaff, sweet papers, dirt and rubbish of all kinds just dropped at will, anywhere, with no thought, care or concern. Rivers and streams are being polluted by this dirt. Trees are cut down and not replaced. Things must change! By the grace of God, we will be agents of change (at least the areas covered by the Diocese of Jos), and should this impact the state, glory must go to God alone. We have a mandate from the Lord to preach the gospel. This is an aspect of that gospel. This is the missionary mind of the church. Mission loses its impetus if it does not change a society. ++ Most Rev.Dr.B.A.Kwashi Bishop of Jos Campaign Vision Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 'And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned fro her husband, and I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them….” And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:1-3, 5) God is too holy to behold sin, or dirt or filth of any kind. Where God is, all that is not pure and holy must go, or be changed. God, however, is merciful and loving, and he is always in the business of making new, of renewing lives, renewing relationships, renewing the face of the earth (Ps.104:30). Those who accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour must be partners with him in this process of renewal. In this way, we can enjoy and use our environment but also protect it; we can help bring health and strength in place of sickness and suffering; beauty, joy and freedom can replace depression, dirt and darkness. In this way, we can become what we are called to be, “God’s holy people”, a light to our family, our community, our state and even to our nation. Campaign Objectives 1. To insist on simple, basic, daily hygiene, everywhere, anywhere, always. 2. To educate everyone as to the benefits of a clean and safe environment, particularly in terms of health. 3. To begin from the home: teaching, training, and practicing of cleanliness and neatness starts here. 4. To care for and to protect the environment: trees, plants, water systems, farms, gardens. 5. To give proper care and supervision to all animals: cows, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and all creatures. Campaign Personnel The work in each Archdeaconry will be led by Coordinators, who will be trained and licensed at diocesan level. The co-ordinators will then train Parish Officers who will also be licensed in their various archdeaconries. The campaign coordinators will work very closely with the Supervising Priests, college Principals, Chaplains, Head Teachers, and Parish Priests Quarterly reports of their work will be submitted to the Bishop’s office. This is in order to help monitor and commend the progress of God’s work throughout the diocese. The Gospel Health and Development Services (GHaDS) will play a key role in the training of personnel at all levels. Those who are following the “Certificate in Community Health and Evangelism” course at the Christian Institute are also expected to give leadership, advice and guidance. Campaign Code A. Environmental Hygiene 1. Waste disposal must no longer be taken casually. Rubbish must be burnt in an assigned place at home, at church, at work and in the local community area. 2. Dustbins must be provided in classrooms, offices, church compounds, schools, homes and all public places. 3. The construction and maintenance of public toilets is crucial to a clean and safe environment. This must be done in schools, colleges, offices and all work places, as well as in church compounds. Such toilets must be washed and cleaned daily. 4. Periodic environmental sanitation exercises will be embarked upon. 5. Trees, fruit trees, flowers and shrubs should be planted and nurtured. 6. If you keep animals, you must provide for them adequately, vaccinate them and keep them under control so that they do not become a pest to your neighbour or even destroy your neighbour’s garden and farms. 7. We are accountable to God for our behaviour and our treatment of the environment. Our individual and corporate responsibility in this must be recognised and developed. B. Personal & Family Hygiene 7. Have a bath daily, and wash your hands whenever necessary during the day, especially after going to the toilet. 8. Drinking water should be boiled. 9. Plates and dishes should be washed after use and kept in a clean place. 10. Food must be covered to prevent dust, dirt and flies. 11. Clothes should be washed regularly, and second hand clothes should be thoroughly cleaned before use. Campaign Code A. Environmental Hygiene 1. Waste disposal must no longer be taken casually. Rubbish must be burnt in an assigned place at home, at church, at work and in the local community area. 2. Dustbins must be provided in classrooms, offices, church compounds, schools, homes and all public places. 3. The construction and maintenance of public toilets is crucial to a clean and safe environment. This must be done in schools, colleges, offices and all work places, as well as in church compounds. Such toilets must be washed and cleaned daily. 4. Periodic environmental sanitation exercises will be embarked upon. 5. Trees, fruit trees, flowers and shrubs should be planted and nurtured. 6. If you keep animals, you must provide for them adequately, vaccinate them and keep them under control so that they do not become a pest to your neighbour or even destroy your neighbour’s garden and farms. 7. We are accountable to God for our behaviour and our treatment of the environment. Our individual and corporate responsibility in this must be recognised and developed. B. Personal & Family Hygiene 7. Have a bath daily, and wash your hands whenever necessary during the day, especially after going to the toilet. 8. Drinking water should be boiled. 9. Plates and dishes should be washed after use and kept in a clean place. 10. Food must be covered to prevent dust, dirt and flies. 11. Clothes should be washed regularly, and second hand clothes should be thoroughly cleaned before use. Campaign Strategies 1. Public Health Education and Enlightenment concerning the benefits of a clean and safe environment. 2. Workshops and seminars will be organised for children, youth and adults, as well as for the campaign co-ordinators and officers. 3. Public rallies and sanitation exercises will be organised and led by the campaign officials. 4. The construction of latrines and incinerators in the community will be of great importance. 5. There will be tree planting and flower garden campaigns in churches and schools. 6. Sanitary inspections will be carried out by the Co-ordinators and Parish Officers. Awards will be given for the cleanest vicarages, churches and schools. 7. Regular meetings of co-ordinators and officers at Archdeaconry and Diocesan levels will be organised. |
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JOS