It sounds like Cairo, Egypt.... where you don't have any middle class. There are the few upper class and then the rest who are poor. It's a sad situation.

Is the foundation that Jimmy Carter is involved with active there?? I know he was helping to stop a lot of the diseases and all that that were plaguing the 3rd world countries. Just stay away from the water. Watch what you eat or what stings you. I had friends in Ghana who were missionaries and they came home after 2yrs and had the larvae of these icky bugs under their skin. They were deathly ill.

I have no idea if the area of Lagos is that bad, but it's definitely something to be cautious about.

And I'm sure that if you'd offer your home to an unfortunate family, you'd end up being taken advantage of. You'll be viewed as a meal ticket and they will play on your emotions. Don't be sucked in to it. The animals can't help themselves.... the situation is somewhat different with the people. I know they are poor and they are in a bad way, but they still may have ulterior motives.

You and your family will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers. Living comfortably in those conditions may make you feel guilty, but just be thankful that you are in that situation and not in theirs, and hope that somehow, some way, it will change in their country.