Patrick Egwu is a Nigerian freelance journalist based out of Toronto. His work on human rights, social justice, religion, migration and development has been published by Foreign Policy, Daily Maverick, National Catholic Reporter, Global Sisters Report and elsewhere.
In the last few years, the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Nigeria have found themselves entangled in a web of violent attacks by bandits. They have been living in fear and danger, unsure of what happens next.
Sr. Rita Schwarzenberger helps communities resolve conflict through training. With another sister's help, she also runs a nonprofit to improve health in rural communities. The sisters have survived being targeted by bandits.
Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena minister in Gusau in Zamfara state, Nigeria. Amid growing attacks in the region from armed gangs, the sisters live in fear. But they take precautions and focus on prayer.
Nigeria has one of sub-Saharan Africa's highest rates of human trafficking. But a network of Catholic sisters is coordinating anti-trafficking efforts to help survivors and prevent others from being victimized.
Nigerian sisters use WhatsApp to share knowledge about the coronavirus. As the virus spreads in Nigeria, they are educating the people in their ministries, including children in Enugu and trafficking survivors in Lagos, to take precautions.
