Faith and Resilience: The Role of the Church in Supporting Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Kwara State

This study investigates the role of church organisations in providing care and resilience-building support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Nigeria has one of the world's largest populations of orphaned and vulnerable children, and faith communities frequently serve as primary support networks in the absence of adequate government welfare provision. Using a descriptive mixed-methods design, data are gathered from 100 OVC beneficiaries, 30 church programme coordinators, and 15 government social welfare officers across churches in Ilorin, Offa, and Patigi Local Government Areas. Questionnaires assess programme coverage and the quality of care provided, while interviews explore theological motivations, programme sustainability, and partnership dynamics. Findings indicate that church-based OVC programmes provide critical material support including food, school fees, and healthcare alongside psychosocial and spiritual care that government programmes rarely offer. The integration of theological formation, particularly messages of divine parenthood and community belonging, is associated with stronger psychosocial resilience outcomes for OVC participants. However, sustainability challenges including donor dependence, volunteer fatigue, and lack of professional child welfare expertise are significant. The study recommends the professionalisation of church OVC programmes in Kwara State and the development of a church-government co-funding framework to ensure programme continuity. Keywords: orphans and vulnerable children, church care, resilience, Kwara State, child welfare