It’s hard to imagine how Adama Fambuleh, a 30-year-old mother of eight, two of which she gave birth to and the rest adopted because they insisted, can be as positive about life as she is.

Sat under the scorching sun on a small wooden bench outside her home in Bumbeh Pejuh village, in the Southern Province, Fambuleh recalled how her teenage girls were forced to leave their school during the outbreak.

When it was time for the girls to return, Fambuleh (below) had no money to buy their uniform.

But with the help of a Christian Aid initiative that provides steel boxes for women in communities to collectively save money to use for emergencies, Fambuleh was able to borrow money – with interest, for the youngsters to return to school.

It really is as simple as it sounds – the charity takes two ordinary padlocked steel boxes into communities and remarkably, it doesn’t take long for transformations to occur. Within a year, of the boxes being introduced, it’s clear what kind of difference it has made.

“I’m so thankful to God for being chair lady of the box,” Fambuleh told Premier.

She beamed with pride describing the respect she has received since she was selected to be one of two women that have the responsibility of managing the boxes.

Christian Aid and its local partners…

Leah Sharibu was one of 110 girls who was abducted from a college in Daphci, Yobe state, on 19th February 2018 by a faction of Boko Haram called al Barnawi.

The MP for Glasgow East wrote that he has “profound concerns”, saying: “In light of International Women’s Day on Friday, I would greatly appreciate an update on any recent representations that have been made to the Nigerian government regarding Ms Sharibu’s case”.

He explains that the context of her being held captive shows it has been for religious reasons as 104 of the 110 girls were released, five died and Ms Sharibu is widely thought to have been held back for refusing to convert to Islam.

In his letter, Mr Linden writes: “The Nigerian Government has a clear constitutional obligation to ensure that every citizen is ‘protected irrespective of his/her gender, culture and religious belief.’ However in this instance, a minor was not only left in the hands of terrorists on account of her religious beliefs when her surviving colleagues were released; she also continues to suffer multiple and severe violations…It is a terrible indictment of the Nigerian Government’s failure to assist a vulnerable citizen, and of an international community that has not held it sufficiently to account for this.”

He says that Leah Sharibu has been held captive alongside humantiarian workers, one of whom was shot in the head and filmed…

In the latest update from the team supporting Oluwole Ilesanmi, who ran into trouble and had his Bible confiscated while preaching outside Southgate underground station, further details have been released regarding what happened after his arrest.

Campaign group Christian Concern claim he was taken to nearby Wrotham Park and left, as previously reported, without any money to get home.

The group says with the help of a stranger, he was able to get on a bus and later that evening returned to the scene of his arrest to continue preaching.

Street preacher Olu update: As Olu was driven away from the scene of his arrest, it was clear to him that the police wanted to take him as far away as possible so that he could not return and preach.#StreetPreacher #FreedomOfSpeech pic.twitter.com/p3UPWDRTci

— Christian Concern (@CConcern) March 8, 2019

The details of his treatment come after the Metropolitan Police told Premier that he had been walked 200 metres out of the area before being shown to a nearby bus stop.

Christian Concern has launched a petition calling for action from the government to protect street preachers.

In a letter addressed to the home secretary, it says: “Christian street preachers should be free to share the gospel, even where it means challenging the beliefs of others.

“Please urgently investigate what guidance and training is being given to police officers…

A commissioning service at the Anglican landmark marked the start of ‘Tell, Serve, Give’ – the latest in a series of evangelistic initiatives taking place across the North of England.

The Bishop of Whitby, Rt Rev Paul Ferguson told Premier: “We got all sorts of things happening.

“Some of them are quite church-based…but also we’ve got some things which are happening in perhaps rather less usual circumstances”.

Launched by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu in 2015, the first Northern Bishops’ Mission was held in Sheffield Diocese. Similar events have since been held in various other northern dioceses.

Bishops from across the region taking part include Rt Rev Julian Henderson, the Bishop of Blackburn; Rt Rev Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley and Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff, the Bishop of Lancaster.

Bishop Julian said: “Preparations for ‘Tell, Serve, Give’ have been taking place for many months now and it is exciting now to be approaching the start of the mission.

Bishop Cyril and the team @TransformWigan @BishopofBerwick have been serving with @FurClemtWigan , Cyril loving his apron! @LivDiocese #TellGiveServe pic.twitter.com/Tr4DJgtiSO

— mark wade (@markjohnwade) March 8, 2019

“Everyone, including the Archbishop himself, will have packed schedules over the four days, with multiple opportunities to share the Gospel.”

A prison visit, Zumba party, Prosecco and…

The Diocese of Chester also accepted it failed to act on information concerning now-retired clergyman Charles Gordon Dickenson which surfaced ten years ago.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual assault against a child during the 1970s. He was the vicar of Christ Church Latchford near Warrington at the time.

Chester Crown Court heard how a boy was targeted on four occasions during the course of a several months at both the church hall and vicarage.

In a statement, church leaders said: “We offer an unreserved apology to the survivor.

“He has shown bravery and courage to share his experiences with the police and we acknowledge how difficult and distressing this must have been for him.”

Cheshire Police found a complaint lodged in 2009 against Dickenson was not acted upon by the Church of England.

A letter – sent as part of safeguarding protocol – acknowledged an accusation that Dickenson had indecently assaulted a young boy.

It also said that the then-Bishop of Chester, Rt Rev Victor Whitsey, made Dickenson “promise never to do it again”.

The diocese continued in its apology: “Information brought to light to the church in 2009, if acted upon then, may have led to the police bringing a prosecution against Gordon Dickenson much sooner.

“The Diocese apologises for not acting on this information in 2009.”

Dickenson was appointed a bishop’s chaplain. He…