Summer 2022 - Overcoming Tragedy

JOY BISHARA AND LYDIA POGU

OVERCOMING TRAGEDYAND INSPIRING OTHERS

POGU ’21, ’22 (M.A.) were never meant to graduate from high school, let alone college. They were among the 276 Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014 at their boarding school. Their story made national news and is often remembered with the campaign #BringBackOurGirls.

Once kidnapped by the terrorist organization, which means “Western education is forbidden,” Joy and Lydia were told they would never be able to return to school. The pair were able to escape early on.

Through perseverance, Joy and Lydia once again pursued their education.

President I?ngle with Joy Bishara

They completed high school at Canyonville Christian Academy in Oregon and then went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeastern. Lydia was the commencement speaker at Southeastern’s 2022 spring graduation ceremony.

“I love sharing my story because it shows how God has worked out everything for my good,” Lydia said. “Despite all that has happened in my life, I am proud to say I am still standing firm in God’s plans for my life and still choosing to further my education. This is true because of God’s unconditional love and support and the wonderful people He has placed in my life.”

During their time at Southeastern, Joy and Lydia have been able to share their story around the world, including with members of the United Nations Security Council, International Christian Concern and the Human Rights Watch.

“For me, it wasn’t about being in front of everyone, it was about being able to be heard,” said Joy. “We can use our story to make a difference.”

Joy talked about how when they first started sharing their story before the United Nations in 2017, only two nations had signed the Safe Schools Declaration, an inter-governmental political commitment to protect students, teachers, schools and universities from the effects of armed conflict. In October of 2021, she spoke again before the UN and found that over 100 countries had signed the document.

Lydia Pogu Commencement 2022

“It has been such an honor to have had Joy and Lydia at Southeastern,” said President Kent Ingle. “As a university, we feel blessed to have been a part of their educational journey and to have invested in what God has planned for their lives.”

Now with a master’s in human services, Lydia plans to work for a nonprofit organization and study for the LSAT so she can eventually enroll in law school. Her ultimate goal is to become a human rights and international lawyer so she can defend the most vulnerable and voiceless.

“To be successful in the legal field you need to have a balance of academic and social skills. Lydia has both,” said Dr. Timothy Welch, professor of legal studies. “Additionally, she has shown great perseverance, whether it be in or out of the classroom. It is Lydia’s skill set that will make her a great attorney someday"

Joy plans to use her master’s in social work to serve in a hospital setting as a social worker. In the future, she would like to own a nonprofit organization that assists the homeless population. Eventually, she plans to start a nonprofit in Nigeria to support those affected by Boko Haram.

Joy and Lydia at the UN

“I had the privilege of seeing Joy grow into her calling as a social worker,” said Dr. Jessica Félix-Jäger de Weaver, MSW program director. “I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for this next season in Joy’s life! I believe she will make a great impact and be a change agent wherever the Lord leads.”

While the pair look to the future, they plan to keep sharing their stories to help their friends who are still missing from the boarding school in Chibok. They also hope to inspire and encourage others by sharing how God used their tragic situation for good.