While linebacking brothers Sam and Emmanuel Acho each live the dream of being a professional football player, they're spending the offseason achieving another lofty goal, and helping thousands in the process.
The Acho brothers traveled to Nigeria to participate in Living Hope Christian Ministries' medical mission Operation Hope, which provides much-needed medical attention to local Nigerians. From June 22 to July 5, Sam, Emmanuel and Sam's Chicago Bears teammate De'vante Bausby helped wherever it was needed, sorting medicines for the locals, spending time comforting children before and after doctor visits and helping with crowd control on a first day that drew approximately 2,000 people in need.
"This is my 10th visit to Nigeria as part of Operation Hope," Emmanuel Acho said. "The feeling is indescribable. You go with the intention to change lives, but ultimately your life ends up being changed the most."
Living Hope Christian Ministries is run by the Acho brothers' parents, and through Operation Hope, provided around $1.28 million in free medical aid in 2016 alone. The group's goal is to build a permamnent hospital to help over 3,000 impoverished local Nigerians on a daily basis. For more information, go to www.livinghopeministries.us.
