A Bonita Springs couple’s mission to help children in Nigeria took on new meaning after learning about a 12-year-old student’s kidnapping, narrowly escaping death.
WATCH: Fox 4’s Eric Lovelace tells the story of the student narrowly escaping death:
Local couple attempts to raise money for school security after student escapes kidnapping in Nigeria
David and Jane Sawtelle had traveled to Africa before on mission trips and knew education was difficult to access in many areas. Their connection to Nigeria begins when they opened their home to Daren Rapoport, who stayed with the couple for six weeks.
Daren was married to a Nigerian woman, named Destiny, so the Sawtelles helped Daren get a visa and flight back to the country to reunite with his wife.
They maintained contact for a couple years before Daren shared his desire to open up a school. He reached out to the couple to help raise money. They were able to raise $4,000 to help purchase the building. Not only did they raise the money, but they went to Nigeria to help build it in the fall of 2024.
The experience left a lasting impact on them. They said they were moved by people they met and the obvious needs they had, so they’ve since continued the fundraising effort.
Daren Rapoport, the school’s director in Nigeria, learned devastating news about a student, who’s name is Friday…