Nigeria – Africa | Project #4 of 72

In this case, the social enterprise involved an investment to strengthen the sewing centre already operating in the community by purchasing new machines and an embroidery machine that would make the work easier and faster and enable the centre to carry out the special work requested. Following the transfer of Sister Ernestina, who was the central figure in the HIC SUM project, funding for this social enterprise activity has been temporarily suspended, while funding for the promotion of the Works of Mercy continues.

Sister Ernestina, a member of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, arrived at the Misericordia San Francesco di Massa in September 2021, after taking part in Spazio Spadoni’s “Fare Spazio alla Reciprocità” Convention.

After spending several months at the Misericordia, she returned to Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, a state in the country’s southern geopolitical zone.

The area has a very high crime rate, and this difficult context has hindered the development of the twinning relationship and the presence of Italian volunteers envisaged by the project.

Although it is located in the city, the community in Akwa Ibom relies on wells for water and a generator for electricity, used particularly by the sewing centre, where nine local women and sisters work.

From the time of her arrival, Sister Ernestina and the other sisters began raising awareness of the Works of Mercy, periodically visiting prisoners and helping the poor and those in need. In keeping with their charism, the sisters also place particular emphasis on education and, in this case, seek to educate local people in combating human trafficking.

During 2023, Sister Ernestina was transferred from the Akwa Ibom community to complete her studies.

Find out more

The life story of Mother Mary Charles Magdalen Walker