“Bridging Dreams and Reality” – Rev. Fr. Walter Godwin Fai Speaks on Narrow the Gap Children’s Summer Camp
By Hilary John
Rev. Fr. Walter Godwin Fai, Parrish Priest of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Abuja Phase 1, in the Diocese of Jalingo, Taraba State Capital is the founder of the Narrow the Gap Child Advocacy Initiative. He has been at the forefront of child empowerment and advocacy.
In this exclusive interview with Echo Express, he shares the vision behind the initiative, the goals of the ongoing 2025 Children’s Summer Camp, and the challenges of sustaining such programs.
Echo Express: Can we formally meet you?
Fr. Fai: My name is Rev. Fr. Walter Godwin Fai, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo. I serve as parish priest of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Abuja Phase 1, and I am the founder of the Narrow the Gap Child Advocacy Initiative. Beyond pastoral duties, I have always been passionate about sports, music, community service, and missionary work through the Church.
Echo Express: What inspired you to establish the Narrow the Gap Child Advocacy Initiative, and particularly this summer camp?
Fr. Fai: We began Narrow the Gap in 2019, born out of my deep concern for the distance between children’s dreams and their actual realization.
Many children here aspire to become doctors, lawyers, pilots, and other professionals, but very often their environment denies them the opportunities to pursue such ambitions. This gap—between aspiration and reality—needs to be narrowed.
The summer camp is one of our strategies. During holidays, when formal schooling pauses, we step in to engage children in leadership, personal growth, ICT, technology, chess for discipline and decision-making, and even environmental care. It’s about giving them access to what they wouldn’t ordinarily encounter in their immediate environment.
Echo Express: This year’s theme is “Early Empowerment Through Enlightenment.” Why this focus?
Fr. Fai: Children have enormous capacities, sometimes far beyond what we or even they realize. The earlier we empower them, the more likely they are to develop into the best versions of themselves. Enlightenment—shaping their mindset—is key. When their worldview is broadened, they are better positioned to take advantage of opportunities and live purposeful lives.
Echo Express: What values or lessons do you hope the children will take home from this camp?
Fr. Fai: We want them to leave with confidence, high self-esteem, and enthusiasm for life. Through chess, for instance, they learn patience, discipline, and the reality that every decision carries consequences. In ICT, we spark their curiosity, showing them that a bigger world exists beyond their immediate surroundings. Ultimately, we want them empowered, curious, and ready to face life with courage.
Echo Express: How does this camp align with the broader mission of your organization?
Fr. Fai: Our vision is a society where children can flourish in safe and nurturing environments. This camp embodies that vision—it creates a space where children are happy, expressive, and at the same time learning from facilitators and teachers. Narrow the Gap advocates for children’s rights, growth, and development. This camp is a practical demonstration of that mission.
Echo Express: What are the major challenges you face in organizing such programs?
Fr. Fai: The biggest challenge is funding. With adequate resources, we could extend this camp to other communities and accommodate more children—perhaps up to a thousand. As it stands, we had to close registration early and may even shorten the camp due to limited finances.
Funding affects everything—from volunteer mobilization to providing ICT facilities and even refreshments. I appeal to well-meaning individuals and organizations to support us, as the need is great.
Echo Express: Do you see this initiative expanding to other parts of Nigeria?
Fr. Fai: Yes, certainly. Since 2019, we’ve run several programs and received over seven local awards for our efforts. With consistency and the right support, this model can be replicated across states and even beyond Nigeria. But for now, our focus remains on empowering each child within our reach, because a single transformed child can carry these values across the world.
Echo Express: What advice do you have for parents, especially those whose children are not part of this camp?
Fr. Fai: Parents must realize their children are treasures. Their responsibility is to nurture and empower them to be better than themselves. Some parents may not yet see the importance of programs like this, but they should know that every child deserves opportunities to flourish.
My advice is simple: invest in your children’s growth, expose them to experiences that broaden their horizons, and give them the tools to succeed in life.
