Introduction

Commissioned by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and compiled by the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa (SIHMA), the Ministry report chronicles the tireless, industrious, and often invisible, work that many Catholic Religious Sisters’ Congregations are doing across the African continent with people on the move and the host communities. Some of these interventions are often invisible on different platforms due to a number of issues, but mainly the hidden contexts in which they occur. SIHMA is a non-profit organisation and research centre founded in South Africa by the Missionaries of St Charles, Scalabrinians, a congregation of the Catholic Church dedicated to assisting migrants, refugees, and seafarers. Inspired by the teachings and spirituality of its founder, Bishop John Baptist Scalabrini, whom Pope Francis proclaimed a saint and Father of migrants on 9 October 2022, the study centre collects data and material on human mobility through its extensive network of partners. By monitoring the main aspects of the migration phenomenon in order to nurture effective migration policies that respect human rights and provide a solid basis for social projects of promotion and integration, SIHMA represents a bridge between academic research and civil society work in this field. In its own way, it realises and supports the very mission of the Church, which is committed to realise with determination and originality the four verbs indicated for the pastoral care of people on the move: welcome, protect, promote, and integrate. Previously, SIHMA has prepared Ministry reports focusing on the good practices (GPs) by Catholic organisations and institutions but in this case, the report concentrates on the work specifically by Catholic Religious Sisters’ Congregations, focusing on the central theme, the pastoral care of migrants and people on the move considering the Message “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay.” This means ensuring that all have the conditions necessary for accessing integral human development in their homeland, without being forced to emigrate. One unique aspect of this report is that it features good practices in home countries that seek to empower and protect local populations so that they can be sustainable and have improved living standards and in the host countries that seek to protect, welcome, promote and integrate migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

For this report good practices, from January to December 2022 and or 2023 by catholic religious sisters congregations in Africa were selected. The report consists of best practices to ensure universal access to education, proper housing, decent and duly paid work, adequate food, and clean water as indispensable goods and conditions for dignified life. Best practices that ensure protection of vulnerable groups from abuse and exploitation were included, consisting of those that protect victims and survivors of trafficking and victims of all forms of abuse including children, girls, and women. Focus was given also on programs promoting an equilibrate narrative about migration and its risks and making migration a choice that is truly free. The best practices in this report are organised according to practices in the country of origin and projects in the host country involving diaspora communities. The working method follows the previous report and consists mainly of 3 phases. SIHMA, in cooperation with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, sent a request for data collection on their activities to over 50 contacts on the African continent. In a second step, SIHMA collected the material received and interacted with them to prepare a summary sheet for each practice. The report broadly covers geographically, all major areas of Africa, offering through the good practices a glimpse of 15 countries, namely: Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros Islands, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Kiambu, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. In the third phase, the collected material was sorted and catalogued, in order to give homogeneity and smoothness of reading, while additional information was requested from those responsible, also in the form of short interviews, to supplement the good practices.

Clearly, this type of reporting has certain limitations: in many cases, the data collected is provided directly by other parties, so there is no possibility for SIHMA or the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development to verify its accuracy. The consistency of the data is also difficult, both because different congregations present their practices based on different criteria (depending on their type of activity or mode of intervention) and because the data and descriptions have often been summarised and reduced for editorial needs. It should also be kept in mind that congregations serving migrants with different programmes may, depending on their database and data collection criteria, count the same individuals several times who access multiple activities or, on the contrary, not record users who seek help but are assisted by being referred to other external organisations. Depending on the case, the number of people may be overestimated or underestimated. Despite this, SIHMA believes that the report offers a credible and interesting picture of the ongoing development of the work that is being done by religious congregations in Africa, with still ample room for improvement and intervention and with the awareness that the Catholic Church still represents a reliable reference point for all people on the move.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Caring for the Environment Through Improving the Livelihood of Internally Displaced Women and Girls

Organisation: Interfaith Forum of Muslim and Christian Women’s Association a.k.a Women’s Interfaith Council (WIC) Location: Benue State, Kaduna South, Kaduna North and Abuja, Nigeria

The Interfaith Forum of Muslim and Christian Women’s Association (a.k.a. Women’s Interfaith Council, WIC), a coalition of the principal women’s faith-based groups in Kaduna state, was established in Kaduna in May 2010. The organisation came into existence as a result of constant violent conflicts that existed between Muslims and Christians which resulted in loss of lives and properties and the displacement of many in Kaduna. WIC was initiated by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, OLA to build bridges among the divides of religion and culture. Since then, WIC continues to provide a platform for leaders and members of Muslim and Christian women’s faith organisations to work together in the peace building process and to address conflicts and women’s common and specific poverty related concerns. It is at the forefront of promoting and building reconciliation and peaceful co-existence between members of the two faith groups in Kaduna state. This has gone a long way in reducing conflicts that have resulted in the displacement of people from their ancestral homes. Since inception, WIC has implemented many projects/activities, including: press conferences, advocacy visits to local communities, media houses, employment programmes, seminars/training workshops for key stakeholders (Christian and Muslim women leaders, traditional and religious leaders, media reporters, youths etc. in Kaduna State) on conflict analysis and transformation, psychosocial trauma support to the victims of violent conflicts, displaced persons, countering violent extremism, peace education and so on. Other activities include bringing women religious leaders (Muslim and Christian) together to discuss and confront women’s common concerns, primarily ethno-religious conflicts and violence, poverty, gender discrimination, water, sanitation and hygiene, childbirth spacing, breast feeding practices etc.; Organisation of Environmental Sanitation exercises in Kaduna; and participation in the monthly sanitation exercises organised by the Kaduna State Government. In promotion of women’s voice in their various communities and society, at large WIC has trained and empowered women socially, economically, and politically. WIC also carries out a Radio program on, “Listen and Let her voice be heard” as a means of promoting Girl Child and rights of women and discouraging ills in the society. WIC also promotes women and youth in sustainable agriculture to reduce hunger and food security.

WIC’s major achievements between January 2022 to December 2022 include: • Women’s Interfaith Council capacity building for women faith leaders for effective leadership. • WIC humanitarian works extended to Kaduna, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and Benue State • WIC annual interfaith solidarity prayer and celebration of 2022 International Women’s Day • Caring for our environment through improving the livelihood of internally displaced women and girls in selected refugee/IDP camps in Abuja. • Caring for our environment through sensitisation, planting of economic trees, installation of solar lights at Ortese IDP Camp, Guma LGA, Benue State. • Supporting the education of Internally Displaced Children and creating awareness to the public on the impact of growing a child in IDP camps to the society • Creating awareness of the pains and sufferings of women/girl child in IDP camps to the public • Putting smiles on the faces of the vulnerable Displaced women and girls through economic empowerment programs for sustainable livelihood • WIC 6th annual Ramadan lecture/Iftar/and support for widows and orphans. • Advocacy, social accountability, women, and youth inclusion training for selected community stakeholders drawn from the religious actors of JISRA local partners in Kaduna. • Improving livelihoods of the most vulnerable women and girls through skills acquisition in Jema’a local government areas, Kaduna and Ortese IDP Camp, Guma local government area of Benue State. • WIC – JISRA Inter-religious pathway implementation • Commemoration of 2022 International Peace Day involving different stakeholders to build and maintain peace in the society to reduce loss of lives and displacements.

In the year 2022 in Kajuru Local Government Area Kaduna over 500 individuals benefited from the WIC interventions, in Ortese IDP Camp, 80 women were empowered economically through Skill acquisition training and agriculture, books were provided for the children and teachers were supported with stipend and in Jato-Aka 45 Internally Displaced Persons were supported. Additionally, in Kuchigoro IDP Camp women were empowered in skill ‘Waste to wealth” and children were supported with school uniforms and books. The success strategies used to achieve the above-mentioned achievements included the involvement of relevant stakeholders through advocacy visits and town hall meetings, organising different project activities that will enhance peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding thereby reducing violent conflicts that lead to displacements and loss of lives and properties. The introduction of psychosocial trauma support to victims of violent conflicts and their relations to bring healings, forgiveness, and reconciliation instead of revenge. The involvement of women, youth, religious and traditional leaders in peace building processes for a holistic approach and lastly planning, monitoring and evaluation before, during and after project implementations and early response strategies were some of the strategies used to achieve success. This was possible through the work of 12 staff members, over 100 volunteers and partnerships with other organisations such as the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Mission Aachen, Germany, Mensen met een Missie, Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN) – CARITAS Nigeria, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), Missio UK, Bistum Mainz Germany and International Union of Superior General (UISG).

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Cross Border/ Advocacy and Pastoral Care

Congregation: The Sisters of the Holy Cross Location: Beitbridge, Zimbabwe

The Sisters of the Holy Cross provide services to migrants, internally displaced persons, deportees, stranded job seekers, local vulnerable people, especially girls, mothers, and children. All of the above people are from within Zimbabwe but most of them come from as far as 300 km and beyond away from Beitbridge. Unfortunately, the people who seek help and pass by are not recorded. We record those that receive financial, material or psychosocial support as well as those who need continuous help. From January 2023 to December 2023 the Sisters of the Holy Cross served 213 women and children and 37 men who were emergency cases. The other services provided include education, awareness campaigns, skills training, psychosocial support and pastoral care, emergency assistance and advocacy. During this period the Sisters of the Holy Cross also provided health care/ mother and child care to 15 girls with babies and 10 displaced mothers with children. The Cross Border Project involves having to welcome and listen to the stories of the people on the move. Sometimes it means being the voice of the voiceless to the offices that can give the needed help. Stranded deportees and job seekers usually ask for transport money to return home. If in good health, we direct them to join the local vendors and sell water, which is on demand due to high temperatures. With a minimum Capital of R30 one raises R120 from a sale of one case of water. Women join other women on a recycling activity, collection and selling of unwanted plastics and cans. From these activities some gain enough to live on and eventually manage transport fare back home. According to Sr. Esnath Gondo, “my job with these ones is to sustain their hope and self- esteem as they realise their potential to help themselves. Some may need health assistance, getting them help for free treatment at the hospital through social development” The big challenge facing the Sisters of the Holy Cross operating in Beitbridge is with women who have children of school going age and husbands who have migrated into South Africa. These women rather stay in Beitbridge than returning home. They are ashamed. The sisters counsel them and help them see the need for the children to go to school and implore government assistance. Through the education the sisters give to the community, sometimes individuals volunteer to assist a child or two with school fees.

In 2023 the sisters witnessed up to 15 girls of 14 to 17 years who got pregnant and had no supportive partners were given emergency assistance. Learning from this experience the young people were encouraged to join the skills training short courses so that they are occupied and are able to use the skills to sustain themselves and their families. These courses are offered by the ministry of youth and the church, for entrepreneurship. The Catholic Vocational training centre offers brick laying, carpentry, garment construction and interior décor courses. Through this project the sisters assist intercepted minors, coming from or going to South Africa unaccompanied who are kept at the shelters run by the Social development but often have no needed essentials like food, toiletries, and clothes for changing while they wait for their families to collect them. The project has brought about noticeable results in the community, following the awareness campaigns held for example: a. Some of the local people are able to participate in supporting people on the move with advice or social assistance; b. St Joseph Parish, in Beitbridge, is tuned to the yearly celebration of the liturgy of The World Day for Migrants and Refugees with maximum involvement of all, priests, religious, the faithful, young and old alike; d. Younger people are more open to learning skills for their own human development and psychosocial – support; e. Women who do basketry are earning a living for themselves and their families as well as passing down the skill to other interested people, both young and old. Some strategies used to achieve success in the year include: 1. understanding and discussing possibilities for getting help with the people in need of help; 2. educating the church on the needs of migrants and vulnerable people on the move; 3. involving young people of the dangers of some actions; 4. downloading material from Pope Francis’s videos on the theme of the year for celebration of the world day for Migrants and Refugees day, and then implementing it with the community; and 5. downloading and using the liturgy kit, banners etc. provided by SACBC through sister Maria. This is all possible through the support of two field volunteers and an assistant who is a regular cross border trader, who gives reliable information on the activities at the border. Other partners include the IOM helping with advice on issues of migrants and people on the move, CCJP giving education campaigns to the community, social development dealing with cases that need legal approach, Red Cross for communication and the Safe Haven which offers accommodation, counselling and rehabilitation for traumatized women and children.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Prevention Programme Through Sensitisation/awareness Creation on the Menace of Human Trafficking as Well as Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment

Congregation : Clarissan Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Location: Onitsha Province, Nigeria

The Clarissan Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Onitsha Province, Nigeria provide sensitisation/awareness on human trafficking which is the modern-day slavery as well as skill acquisition training and empowerment. The sisters go to the parishes, schools, groups as well as associations to create awareness and equip them with skills on how to identify traffickers and prevent themselves from being victims. In the year 2022, 25 vulnerable youths/young people were identified and recruited into the skill acquisition training, and they were also empowered after the training. All the 25 (2 male and 23 female) young people that received training have improved their living standards and they are able to pay for their bills, take care of their needs and take care of their dependents. Over 10 000 people have been sensitised on human trafficking and those sensitised are now aware of the tactics of the traffickers and have formed strong opposition to prosecute any trafficker within the neighbourhood. Additionally, 5 young girls terminated their journey to Europe after being sensitised about the dangers of trafficking. The above achievements were possible because of the collaboration and synergies with the other sisters in different congregations which allowed the awareness campaigns and sensitisation to cover a vast space. According to a Congregation representative, “The project empowered trained persons, their lives were improved, and they were encouraged to stay back and better their lives. The trained and empowered persons are always being reminded and encouraged to lift other people’s burdens through which poverty will be alleviated which is the key push factor to migration”. The operators of the project include 7 sisters and 4 volunteers. Partners include the Nigerian conference of women religious (NCWR) in partnership with the foundation.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Supporting People Living With HIV in Health, Igas and Education

Congregation: Assumption Sisters of Nairobi (ASN) Location: Naivasha, Kenya

ASN Upendo Village is a project of the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi founded in partnership with the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters from the USA and it is situated at Karai, Naivasha Sub-county, Nakuru County-Kenya. The project is domiciled within the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. ASN Upendo Village provides support and care for the people affected and infected by HIV and AIDS within Naivasha and has adopted a holistic approach toward fighting HIV and AIDS whereby it provides educational, health, nutritional, economic sustainability, and psychosocial support to its clients. The congregation serves around 13,996 individuals and families in low-end settlements around Naivasha in Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. ASN Upendo Village is dedicated to holistic community development through its multifaceted initiatives. In the Education Department, they sponsor over a hundred learners, ensuring timely return to school with prompt fee payments. They closely monitor academic performance and conduct home visits. The Medical Department provides a wide array of health services, including continuous medical education topics. Collaborating with the Social Welfare Department, ASN educates clients on various health aspects and celebrates events like the World Day of the Sick. The Social Welfare Department runs support group meetings and organises programs for people living with HIV, while the Nutrition Department focuses on nutritional support and supplements. The Income Generating Activities (IGA) Department empowers the community through projects like dairy goat rearing, poultry farming, and interest-free loans. May–June 2022 brought achievements such as student graduations, health service provisions, and successful income-generating projects. In July–August 2022, challenges like inflation were faced but the impactful work was continued. September–October 2022 involved monitoring student progress, offering health services, and engaging in income-generating activities. ASN Upendo Village’s dedication to education, healthcare, nutrition, social welfare, and sustainable income generation reflects in their comprehensive approach to community well-being.

ASN Upendo Village has achieved success through a range of strategies that can be potentially adopted in other projects. Key approaches include providing interest-free loans for income-generating activities, such as purchasing farming equipment, which empowers individuals to establish sustainable livelihoods. Distributing seeds, particularly maize and potatoes, addresses food insecurity challenges and promotes self-reliance among families. Support groups, organised for various purposes, serve as platforms for sharing knowledge and emotional support, contributing to overall well-being. Additionally, empowering women by providing resources like chickens, water tanks, and seeds enables them to engage in agricultural activities and generate income for their families. These strategies collectively offer a blueprint for addressing challenges related to self-reliance, food insecurity, and the empowerment of vulnerable populations, especially women, in diverse projects. Similarly, ASN Upendo Village’s success is attributed to strategies such as collaboration between departments, personalised home visits, and knowledge empowerment through initiatives like the Demonstration Garden. These approaches emphasise the importance of coordination, individualised support, and knowledge dissemination, offering valuable insights for adoption in other projects aimed at education, health, and community development. The project by ASN Upendo Village addresses the challenge of migration as the only option for survival by implementing a comprehensive approach. It focuses on various departments, including Support Groups, Education, Medical, Nutrition, Social Welfare, and Income Generating Activities (IGA) The Support Groups provide emotional and social support, along with access to vital resources. The Education Department equips children with skills to reduce the need for migration in search of opportunities. The Medical Department ensures access to healthcare, reducing pressure to migrate for better health services. The Nutrition Department addresses food scarcity, especially for vulnerable groups, and the demonstration garden initiative promotes self-sufficiency in food production. Income Generating Activities, such as dairy goat rearing and interest-free loans, empower individuals economically, breaking the cycle of poverty and migration. The project’s holistic efforts contribute to building a sustainable environment where people have the necessary resources and support for survival, thereby preventing migration from becoming the sole option for survival.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Maria Centre

Congregation : Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Location: Abuja, Nigeria

The aim of the Centre is to provide psycho-social support for displaced persons who arrive at the Federal Capital without money, shelter or means of sustenance. They are displaced from the Northern part of the country as a result of ethno-religious conflicts. The Centre was initiated in 2016 to respond to the dire situation of those displaced by the BOKO HARAM insurgency in the Northeast. The Sister in-charge sources funds for the running of the Centre, coordinates, and supervises the activities of the Centre. She ensures that instructors discharge their duties, counsel, and accompany the participants, follow up and monitor the progress of past participants and encourage them. The beneficiaries of the Centre are Internally Displaced Persons, vulnerable women and girls from different States of Nigeria (Bauchi, Bornu, Enugu, Kaduna, Plateau, Yola). They are Christians of different denominations and Muslims. In the year 2022, 21 beneficiaries were trained under their vocational training programme, 11 under the psychological care, 21 under the food stuff and minimal financial support and an undisclosed number under advocacy. As part of their vocational training programme, the participants learnt basic sewing and they used their acquired skill to earn money for their upkeep and the support of their families. The participants form a community of friends and are supportive of each other. After skill acquisition, the Maria Centre provides set up packages to enable participants to be gainfully occupied and to earn a living. The human formation provided helps to build self-esteem and resilience, enabling individuals to cope with difficult situations and persevere. This is important in ensuring that the beneficiaries have adequate resources and necessities for survival, thus ensuring that migration does not become the only option for survival In the year 2022, Maria Centre had only 1 full time staff and various volunteers. The congregation receives support from other religious congregations and Institutes, the local church periodically gives food items to support the victims.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Prevention of Trafficking Perils

Congregation: Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph Location: Sambuli, Yendi, Tamale, Northern Region Ghana

The project ‘Prevention of trafficking perils among “high-risk” internally displaced groups, youngsters and the public through awareness campaigns and provide employment skill training in Sambuli village of Yendi Diocese, Ghana’ was designed after conducting a baseline study of the area. The need to encourage and ensure that girls are enrolled for studies was identified as a need since girls who could not pursue their studies, as they are prone to human trafficking and other vulnerabilities. Many young girls cannot continue with education in their village. Some parents force the girls and boys to work in their farms for survival, thus the girls stop going to the school and end up in human trafficking, trusting to get the better job and survival. The congregation of Jesus, Mary and Joseph aims to reach to the youngsters and the public potentially vulnerable to trafficking to impact their behaviour through raising awareness to the legal and social provisions and to capacitate girls through vocational Skill training improve their employment opportunities and have a dignified life. From October 2023 until present, the congregation of Jesus, Mary and Joseph were able to conduct the following activities: • Awareness-raising among vulnerable groups, parents, community leaders and establishing Community Vigilance Groups. • Training to provide vocational skills to 10 youngsters of vulnerable groups to raise incomes and make their sustainable and dignified livelihood. The strategies that enabled the religious sisters to reach their goals in this period include: • Approaching the chief and the Elders of the community (locality) for the prior permission and information to organise any activity in the area. • Involvement of different stakeholders to utilise the facilities available in the public area like church and Durbar organising premises for organising awareness and other activities. • Follow up of the activities by regular visits to the area implemented, to assess the impact of the activity- skill training and awareness programs by regular home and training centre visits. The project is envisioned for three years that is from June 2023 to May 2026 which will help the young girls to update their skills and make their livelihood, upgrade their education to keep pace with the outside world, to make a choice of safe and secure living conditions. The project was particularly designed to empower the beneficiaries through vocational training, technical skills training, and job skills development. This reduces women’s unemployment in Ghana by providing more opportunities for young people to gain skills and find decent jobs that can elevate their living standards. This is necessary in ensuring that women are not left with migration as the only means to survival. This work was achieved thanks to the two sisters that are working on this project and partners such as the Talitha Kum Network for raising awareness against anti human trafficking in the schools, colleges and communities from September 2023.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Vocational Training

Organisation: Vocational Institute of Mother Teresa of Jesus Bacq Empowerment Centre (VIMTJEC) Location: Cameroon-Bamenda

The Anglophone crisis which has led to the formation of this Empowerment Center, started in the year 2016. This was because the two English speaking regions of Cameroon out of ten, felt marginalised by the Eight French speaking regions. This was demonstrated by a protest on the 1st of November 2016. Thus, from this protest, broke fourth the crises being experienced till now, which have led to the killing of many by either the military or the separatists’ fighters who are commonly known as “Ambers” Thus, this situation caused many to leave their villages to the urban areas which is a bit calm when compared to villages. Bamenda town has been one of the refuge sites for many of these Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) for the past six years. But most of these IDPs are very poor to an extent that they beg for their daily bread and housing. Majority of them try to manage with some of their relatives or friends in town. Faced with this challenge, most of them float the convent daily begging either to beg for food or where to stay for the time being. In fact, the situation is so difficult and in order to prevent it from becoming worse in the nearby future, the VIMTJEC was opened to Empower some the IDPs with a trade that can help them rather than depending only on begging or the food given to them by either the government, an NGO, charitable groups or individuals. Considering the fact that they are from very poor backgrounds and are barely managing, the vocational training is free. In the year 2022 15 IDPs received vocational training and 25 received psychological training making it a total of 40 persons. According to one of the representatives when asked about the strategies that the centre used for success, she indicated that, “ I think what have helped us so far is first and foremost the grace of God through prayers, deep love and desire to help others in such manner and great commitment to duty” The project aids at empowering the IDPs with a trade which can go a long way of help them to be self-employed thus reducing the chances of further migration out of desperation. The achievements that VIMTJEC have been possible because of the support of the four staff members and one volunteer.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Provision of Counselling Services and Empowerment to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps in Otukpo Diocese of Benue State

Congregation: Sisters of the Nativity (SON) Location: Nigeria

On the 4th of January 1969, the community of the Sisters of the Nativity was created within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Makurdi Diocese, Nigeria. Their work is centred around the promotion of basic human rights, good governance and authentic community living with special care for the poor and the marginalised. From 2022-2023, Sisters of the Nativity provided counselling services and empowerment to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Otukpo Diocese of Benue State. The targeted number of beneficiaries was 800 IDPS from Benue State and migrants from neighbouring states. These received education/awareness campaigns, psychological and advocacy. 40 of the beneficiaries received vocational training and 200 were empowered in different areas. Throughout the counselling services many are able to get emotional healing. Also, through the skill acquisition and encouragement, many of the women are able to get skills that are necessary for survival. According to the Sisters of the Nativity the year was filled with a number of achievements. These included the training of women on different skills like liquid soap making, baking (puff-puff) and being given the platform to put what they had learnt in practice. After the training in different skill acquisition, start-up kits were given to the trained women which formed part of their capital. The SON were able to reach displaced persons through the help of a community member who facilitated live meetings and phone communication. A focus group was formed to help the people being served in sharing ideas, encouraging one another and finding markets for their products. The congregation works with volunteers and other partners that include Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), Abuja – Nigeria and All African conference of Sister to Sister.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - “Havre Du Bon Pasteur” Reception and Reintegration Centre for Vulnerable Girls and Women

Congregation: Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd Location: Bobo-Dioulasso, Upper Basin Region, Burkina Faso

The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd Eastern Central Africa Province (ECAP) is an international apostolic religious organisation whose mission of reconciliation reaches out to the poor and vulnerable members of the society with a special attention to women, girls and children. The primary focus is to address the unjust structures in the society and with a specific orientation to marginalised women, girls, and children. This is accomplished mainly through ministries in slums, healthcare, education, income generating projects, advocacy, and crisis intervention centres, among others. The diverse contexts could be supportive in the work of Sisters but also constraining in some instances. The local contexts prescribe norms, traditions, and practices that the ministries and projects interact with on a day-to-day basis. In Bobo-Dioulasso, Upper Basin Region, Burkina Faso, the congregation provided support to different beneficiaries including 1 migrant, 46 local people, 2 sex workers, 4 internally displaced persons, 8 victims of forced marriage and 16 individuals who had unplanned pregnancies. These were supported in the areas of education (5), vocational training (18), housing/shelter (47), psychological/pastoral (32), advocacy (18), health care (47), employment opportunities (3) and awareness campaigns. According to a congregation representative, “the organisation has had some success during the year 2022 as some of the girls at our centre have done well at school, while others have been able to complete their vocational training and have found work” This was possible through monitoring the studies of the girls and vocational training. In terms of vocational training, girls were encouraged to practise their apprenticeships at the centre, especially those doing vocational training in cookery and pastry-making, so that they could better assimilate their vocational training. For those who passed their school exams, tutors were arranged to come to the centre and give them reinforcement lessons to help them better assimilate the school lessons. Through vocational training, the girls obtain paid employment, they can then support themselves and this reduces the risks associated with their migration in search of better living conditions elsewhere. The centre also tries to provide each resident with a social reintegration fund at the end of their stay at the Le Havre du Bon Pasteur centre. The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd in Bobo-Dioulasso, Upper Basin Region, Burkina Faso has 4 staff members and 4 volunteers. The congregation also works with Action Sociale (a department of the Ministry of Women, National Solidarity and the Family,) the police, the justice system, the Accarville health service and the schools where the girls are enrolled.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Transforming and Empowering the Lives of Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Children and Families of the Internally Displaced

Organisation: Bishop Asili Counselling and Community Foundation Location: Lira City -Lira District Ngetta Core Parish - Uganda

The Bishop Asili Counselling and Community Foundation is a community based organisation under the Ngetta Core Parish, Lira city in Uganda registered with the Directory of industrial Training. The operators of the foundation are mainly Missionary sisters of Mary mother of the Church Lira. The foundation offers vocational skills training and rehabilitation to the members of the community to create a difference in their lives and promote a healthy living. The organisation provides health care services to women and children including HIV/AIDs counselling. Under its safeguarding policy, the foundation also offers protection to children, orphans, and other vulnerable children, ensures human rights of women and conducts charitable services. Adult and finance literacy and education Microfinance/SACCO Services are also offered by the foundation. The beneficiaries are mainly migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of human trafficking, local people mainly from Alebtong, Otuke District, Ogur sub county, Lira City Aromo. In the year 2022 the organisation provided educational services to over 300 beneficiaries to earn a living and children were supported with some educational materials and counselling. In the vocational training 60 beneficiaries 20 boys and 40 girls have been trained and graduated. The beneficiaries were mostly children whose parents were abducted, and they were born in captivity and were forced to marry early. The foundation has empowered the poor to have houses to shelter for their children. According to Sr. Florence Osara, “a mother of two sons, was trafficked. We rescued her and gave her some shelter. We have resettled children, and these were some of the trafficked rescued children, 15 people are sheltered and housed in 4 houses” The foundation also provided outreach home visits to 200 families in communities and prayed with many of them. Some families received group counselling. Furthermore, advocacy campaigns were conducted over the media with focus on the rights of the children, internally displaced and trafficked individuals.

As part of the psychological/pastoral support outreach and home visits to families and communities were conducted and some families received group counselling services. About 200 families received these services. The sisters also trained the youth and the community to be self-reliant so that they change their way of living. 100 people were empowered to save and to make bricks, soap and keep animals. During the year 2022, the foundation donated some bicycles to the community for easy mobility. This in turn improved their way of life due to easy access to certain services. The Bishop Asili Counselling and Community Foundation also empowers the community to make the right choices in life and to take full responsibility to determine their destiny, this is essential in ensuring that the community has some of the resources they need. The foundation works closely with the bible society of Uganda, Butabika Mental health hospital, Lira Referral hospital, the sub county’s Community Development officer, police and local leaders, the University of Kisubi and other unnamed well-wishers.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Scalabrini Centre of Ressano Garcia

Congregation: Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo Scalabrinians (Mozambique) Location: Ressano Garcia, Maputo Province, Mozambique

The border region between Mozambique and South Africa is the busiest border in the country and is 95 kilometres from Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Due to the serious economic crisis in Mozambique including the Ressano Garcia area, greater vulnerability for migrant children who are street vendors living in this area has been created. Because of this reality, they migrate elsewhere (South Africa or the capital Maputo, in search of better opportunities, or return to their homes of origin ﴾Inhambane, Gaza, Sofala) In this migratory movement, new children arrive to occupy the space left by other children, creating a turnover of migrant street vendors. The arrival of multinational companies, the imbalance of nature, especially in the southern region, the economic crisis and the country’s military policy were all factors that led to migration to Ressano Garcia. A new scenario is emerging: the disorganised expansion of the town in every possible direction. Two distinct zones are forming: in the flat, stone-free area live the better-off families and in the stony mountains the poorer migrant families. The Pastoral for Migrants work on the other side of the border in South Africa, in the Orlando neighbourhood of Komatipoort where the Mozambicans took refuge during war. The neighbourhood is located near the sugar cane plantations, two kilometres from Komatipoort, and is made up mostly of Mozambican immigrants. The majority are men and young people who work in agriculture, but there are also women who are involved in this activity. Another group of men and women work in commerce. There are families with children. There are several churches, with their own spaces for worship. Looking at the reality, we could say that today it is the place of economic refugees, the poorest and most needy immigrants. The main difficulties are: labour instability, prolonged drought, unemployment, lack of documents and the extreme poverty in which the migrants live, especially the children. Many children are unable to go to school. The migratory movement of people arriving and returning to Mozambique is visible, and among them are children aged between 14 and 17 years. Undocumented migrants continue to cross the border irregularly. With the implementation of the Migration Regulations in South Africa, undocumented migrants who are arrested by the police are harshly penalised in order to discourage them from returning. They pass through various prison spaces. Some are tried and sentenced for not having a passport. They spend up to six months in jail. According to the migrants, the prison environment is inhumane. Those who are taken to the Lindela Migrant Concentration Camp also suffer a lot. They go hungry, some are beaten by the prison guards and to get out of this place they have to pay at least 300 Rands.

The Centro João Batista Scalabrini Centre provides services to: (i) migrants repatriated from South Africa (around 9,500 migrants a year are sensitised and welcomed); (ii) migrant children and boys street vendors (250 migrant boys are assisted each year in our project) These are boys who mostly work in the border corridor as street vendors, selling food products such as tea, bread, water, soft drinks, chips, etc. on a daily basis; (iii) migrant girls- there are approximately 180 of them who work in the Patroas project. The vast majority of them come from Gaza, Inhambane and Sofala, and many leave far-flung villages and come here for opportunities to study and work; (iv) women and children on the move who have suffered some kind of violence. At the centre we take in young women who have been repatriated with their children, referred by the Border Police or the Migration Police. In 2023 58 cases of suspected sexual and labour abuse were received; (v) unaccompanied children suspected of being trafficked: 85 who were brought in by the border police who were then referred to the Maguaça Centre, the public body responsible for reception and family reintegration with suspicions of human trafficking; (vi) migrants in the Orlando neighbourhood in Komatipoort - South Africa: 350 Mozambican families living in this neighbourhood; and (vii) border police-all the Bordear Police officers, especially the commander and his deputy in the training courses we offer on the rights of migrant children, unaccompanied children, human trafficking and irregular migration. Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo Scalabrinians in Resaano Garcia work with Cross-border reference group such as Migration Service - Ministry of the Interior, Border Police, Customs, PRM - Office for the Care of Women and Children, Social Action, Save the Children and Public Prosecutor’s Office. They also participate in training and meetings on both the South African and Mozambican sides with a focus on children’s rights and irregular migration.

Some of the activities that the Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo Scalabrinians are conducting in Mozambique include: 1. Training meetings with migrant children and young people on topics related to their needs (weekly meetings with migrant boys and fortnightly meetings with migrant girls) 2. Emergency care (references to health, food, hygiene, clothing, etc.) for internal migrants and orphaned and vulnerable children 3. Assessment of individual psychosocial care (PHC) needs and provision of PHC services 4. Home and street visits by activists to accompany migrant children and young people (school support, nutritional support, referral to health services, sensitisation of employers, etc.) 5. Training meetings with the ‘employers’, community leaders and carers of migrant children and young people - with the aim of safeguarding the basic rights of the child and providing moments of reflection together with the institutions present to strengthen solidarity, welcome, respect and commitment to the child. 6. Professional courses such as men’s haircuts, English, IT and ice-cream making for migrant children and young people. 7. Sports activities - holding a football tournament as a space for integration and recreation for migrant children and young people. 8. Support for obtaining documents for migrant children and young people (personal identity card, registration, ID card and passport) 9. Raising awareness in the community about children’s rights (schools, churches) 10. Raising awareness among residents and people in transit about safe migration, and the dangers and risks of crossing irregularly into South Africa (square, pumps, Ressano Garcia station and schools) 11. Emergency assistance for Mozambicans repatriated from South Africa, women and children who are victims of violence and human trafficking (accommodation, emergency overnight stay, food, clothing, financial support for tickets, documents, telephone calls - communication with families) 12. Health care and referrals 13. Assistance for unaccompanied children 14. Referral to the Women’s Family Assistance Office (GAFM) 15. Participation in the Reference Group and cross-border meetings: liaising with government and civil society institutions working on the border 16. On the South African side in the Orlando de Komatipoort neighbourhood: Visits to families to get to know their situation, spiritual assistance. Support in documenting children and adults. 17. Reception, accompaniment and basic assistance to women who are victims of violence of human trafficking in partnership with the Maguaza Centre.

Country of Origin (Home Country Interventions) - Educational Support to and Rehabilitation of Street Children in Port Harcourt

Congregation: Daughters of Charity – De Marillac Centre (Hope for Street Children) Location: Diobu-Port Harcourt, Nigeria

De Marillac Centre (Hope for Street Children) is a non-governmental organisation established in Port Harcourt on the 4th of October 2005 by the Daughters of Charity province of Nigeria to accommodate and rehabilitate children living in the streets. The beneficiaries are migrants, refugees and victims of human trafficking. There are over 200 beneficiaries from different geo-political zones in Nigeria (south-south, southeast and few from the south-western part of our country). The basic needs of the children; food, clothing and shelter are provided for, and their education and other developmental needs are taken care of with the major support of Misereor-Germany. These are children who live and work on the street, transact all their activities and spend most of their valuable time on the street, without direct support from anybody, family, relation or friend. They are children forced by circumstances to be on the street. Some of those circumstances that led them to the streets are trafficking by some of their village people with the promise for a better life, poverty, parental carelessness/neglect, broken marriages, death of one or both parents, and the issue of labelling children witches/wizards, family or community violence and child abuse. Some of these children were given as domestic servants in the cities where some were maltreated and sexually abused by a member of the family they are working for. These children are reached through street work/education. They are informed about the dangers of street life and the need for them to acquire basic education. Those of them who accept and are within the age of living in the centre are admitted. While they live in the centre, contact with their different families are made after which, home tracing/family reconciliation is initiated then they are reintegrated back to their various families.

There are fifty-two (52) children; 36 boys and 16 girls living at the centre; they are called residents or De Marillac Children. Others are supported with the payment of school fees and provision of food while living with their indigent parents. There is yet another category called drop-ins; those who are still contemplating leaving street life. They come on Mondays to Fridays when the resident children have gone to school to refresh, eat, rest and listen to ethical education/value talks before heading back to the streets. Six (6) of the beneficiaries completed their secondary education and sat for their senior secondary school final examination (WAEC) From January to December 2022 two (2) of the children completed their primary education, got their first school leaving certificate and are now in secondary school. Twelve (12) the beneficiaries were successfully reconciled and twenty-five (25) reintegrated with their families. Other areas that the Daughters of Charity supported during this period include emergency assistance (5), advocacy (45), health care (25), employment (18), awareness campaigns (1500) and the provision of food for widows (60) The strategies used to achieve the above include street sensitisation, accompanying each child individually getting deeper knowledge about them and engaging in individual counselling and interaction. The organisation consists of Eighteen staff (four Daughters of Charity (DC) and fourteen lay collaborators) working for the organisation. During the period the organisation had a total of eight (8) volunteers within the period, six (6) students from the University of Port Harcourt, Choba – Rivers State, Nigeria, Faculty of Education, Department of Guidance and Counselling engaged children in counselling and literacy courses. The other two (2) were from around the project location; one (1) taught catechism and the other taught them soap-making. Partners that supported the organisation financially include Misereor Katholische, Local Donors (from Churches and Individuals), Living waters International and Koch Foundation. During awareness campaigns, Daughters of Charity collaborated with the following: (i) Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation; (ii)Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (Rivers State Office); (iii) National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Port Harcourt Area; (iv) Nigeria Police Force – Azikiwe Division; and (v) Mile 2 Diobu – Port Harcourt.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Good Shepherd Program Kitale

Congregation: Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd Location: Western Kenya, in Trans-Nzoia County, Kitale Town, in the slums of Kipsongo and Premium slums

The primary mission of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd sisters is Reconciliation. The beneficiaries of the project are the Internally Displaced people, Victims of Human Trafficking, and the Local people. The number is quite high, and they come from different towns in Kenya and few from Uganda, since Kitale borders Uganda on the West. Being led and guided by this mission, the sisters strive to work with women, girls, and children in the margins, pushed by the society, to ensure that their lost dignity as human and God’s children is restored. This is done through rescue Centres in the community where victims are sheltered for some time, meanwhile the sisters will be following up the roots of the family from where they might have come from, so that with time, and as reconciliation happens, they are reintegrated and accepted back to their family. Many times, this is not usually easy because in the beginning the victims don’t open up. The sisters strive to be patient with them until the time they feel free to open up and share about them is when the process is made possible. Throughout their stay with the sisters, they are trained on various skills; among them catering, farming skills, dress making and making liquid soap that help them once they are reintegrated back to their families. Through this, the lives of women, girls and children have been transformed, they become self- reliant and mend their lives and begin to live a dignified life. Between January 2022 and December 2023, a total of 143 beneficiaries were served and of these 15 were male and 127 females in the areas of vocational training, psychological services, advocacy, health care, awareness campaigns, child and women empowerment programs and social support for both men and women.

Through empowerment programs, women were trained on value addition, that is, empowering them with agricultural skills for life and through the people of good-will, we also get them seedlings and provide them with sacks for sack farming. Most of the beneficiaries were made aware of their rights and freedom and in cases of infringement, the appropriate ways of responding and reporting in cases of infringement. Also, an awareness of their health, the health of their husbands and their children, domestic violence and its management, and this has enhanced harmonious living in their families, and they have become instruments of peace and unity, sharing the knowledge acquired from the project with the society. Guiding and counselling was conducted by the sisters and the social worker staff, who are specialists in this area. Some the specific achievements during the year by Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd sisters were; i) created a project plan, ii) used the Project Management Tool, iii) defined and established roles and responsibilities of each of the staff, iv) conducted regular meetings to monitor our progress as a team and v) striven to communicate effectively and encouraged the benefactors to communicate and report any concern and infringement of their rights, and last and the very most important, vii) appropriate allocation of resources. Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd sisters also networked and partnered with other individual and non-governmental organisations who also supported with financial support thus giving them hope and zeal of working towards transforming more lives. The achievements the organisation made were possible through the support of its operators who include two social workers, one accountant, one kitchen staff, a security guard, farm manager and three sisters.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Training for Pastoral Agents of Migration and Law Enforcement Officials on Migration Issues

Congregation : Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo Scalabrinians (under CEPAMI) Location: Angola

The Scalabrini sisters through the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People of Angola and São Tomé (CEPAMI) continues to organise and promote various pastoral services in accordance with the recommendations of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. In 2022, the Scalabrini sisters in CEPAMI carried out many activities, responding to pastoral needs of migrants and offering opportunities, such as training for pastoral agents, conferences, events and activities. In 2022, they organised a Training for Pastoral Agents of migration of the Archdiocese of Luanda and the Dioceses of Viana and Caxito. A total of 51 Pastoral agents for Migrants and People on the Move were trained on human mobility issues and methodologies, to be operative in their dioceses, parishes and missions. Topics covered during the training include: 1. What CEPAMI is (organisation and structure...); 2. Methodology: networking and partnerships; 3. Angola’s social and migratory reality of migrants and refugees); 4. The person on the move; 5. Policies for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in the migratory context of Angola; 6. The Magisterium of the Church and the pastoral care of human mobility - Pontifical Documents; 7. Spirituality and biblical foundations for the pastoral care of human mobility: Old and New Testaments; 8. Pontifical Messages for World Migrants Day;9. Foundations for the Pastoral Care of human mobility: New Testament and Old Testament; 10. Contemporary migration: the Social Teaching of the Church; 11. Specific areas of intervention: Road Pastoral, Civil Aviation Pastoral, Apostolate of the Sea; 12. Good Practices and Methodologies in Migration Ministry; 13.The issue of human trafficking; 14. CEPAMI’s strategic planning; 15. Planning and evaluation.

Among the training sessions that have been held with the Leaders of Pastoral care of Migrants and Refugees, we highlight: • 11/06/2022 - Training session for Pastoral agents of migration from the three dioceses of Luanda, Viana and Caxito, Viana Cathedral - Diocese of Viana. Themes: Life and Work of Saint John Baptist Scalabrini and reflection on the Pope’s message on World Migrants Day. 55 people took part. • 28/01/2022 - Training for the Agents of Pastoral care of migrants of the Diocese of Uíge, at the Santo António School Maquela do Zombo. Theme: CEPAMI, specific areas of intervention and the pastoral care of human mobility. 46 people took part. • 29/01/2022 - Training for the Agents of Pastoral care of migrants of the Diocese of Uíge, at Caritas Diocesana do Uíge. Theme: the role of the Pastoral agent of migration. 21 participants attended. • 22/04/2022 - Training for Pastoral Agents of Migration, at the Cathedral of Antiga - Diocese of Dundo, Province of Lunda Norte. Theme: Introduction to CEPAMI, specific areas of intervention and people on the move. It was attended by 14 people. • 22/07/2022 - Training for Pastoral Agents of Migration, at the Tia Gia Hotel, Santa Clara - Ondjiva Diocese - Cunene Province. Theme: Introduction to CEPAMI, specific areas of intervention and people on the move. This was attended by six people. • 19/03/2022 - Advising at the Training for Pastoral Agents of Migration, Archdiocese of Luanda, Community of Nossa Senhora das Mercês - Benfica - Luanda. Theme: Introduction to CEPAMI - structure and specific areas of intervention; the person on the move. 16 people took part. • 16/07/2022 - Meeting with the Diocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants of the Diocese of N’Dalatando, in the Cathedral of Ndalatando - Lunda Norte, with 9 people. • 03/09/2022 – Training with members of the São Carlos Lwanga Parish, at the Nossa Senhora da Muxima Centre. 11 people took part.

Other trainings conducted with refugees include: • 03/03/2022 - Training for refugees from Bairro Popular, Luanda. Theme: the importance of female empowerment. 44 people took part. • 15/03/2022 - Training for children at the São Gabriel school - Golf 2 - Luanda. Theme: the problem of human trafficking. There were 483 participants. • 19/03/2022 - Training for the parishioners of São Carlos Lwanga - New Life Project - Luanda. Theme: the importance of sharing and solidarity. There were 27 participants. • 07/04/2022 - Training for refugees in the Popular Neighbourhood, on the theme of Leadership. 16 people took part. • 19/04/2022 - Training meeting for Leaders of refugee communities, at the Bairro Popular refugee centre - Luanda. Theme: Leadership. 12 people took part. • 28/04/2022 - Training for refugee women, at the Parish of São Mártires de Uganda, Viana - Luanda. Theme: the importance of herbal infusion for disease prevention. 31 people took part. • 28/04/2022 - Training with Promaica (Promotion of Angolan Women of the Catholic Church) at São Carlos Lwanga Parish, on the theme of Conflict management. 25 people took part. • 05/05/2022 - Training for the parishioners of São Carlos Lwanga Projecto Nova Vida - Luanda. Theme: Non-violent communication. 16 people took part. • 10/05/2022 - Training with the Rosary group at St Charles Lwanga Parish - Theme: Conflict management. 18 people took part.

• 12/05/2022 - Training for refugee women at the Parish of The Martyrs of Uganda, Viana - Luanda. Theme: making ointments and the importance of herbal infusions in disease prevention. 28 people took part. • 13/05/2022 - Training for refugee women, in Bairro Popular - Luanda. Theme: Domestic violence and intercultural integration. 12 people took part. 19/05/2022 - Training for women from the Promaica group, in the community of São Gabriel, Golf II, Luanda. Theme: Non-violent communication. 98 people took part. • 08/07/2022 - Training for refugee leaders in the Popular neighbourhood. 22 people took part. • 27/07/2022 – Training meeting for Promaica of St John Calabria Parish, attended by over 600 women. • 09/09/2022 - Formation meeting for Leaders of refugee communities, at the Refugee centre in Bairro Popular - Luanda. Theme: how to deal with difficult people. 23 people took part. The strategies employed by the Scalabrini sisters in CEPAMI to meet their targets include observing the reality, defining the objectives, goals and desired results together with the local leaders, financial planning, clear communication with all stakeholders, regular evaluations, teamwork and the faithfulness in rendering accounts to the funder, which helps to build trust and international credibility.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Creating of Awareness, Human Trafficking ( Home Country)

Congregation: Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) Location: Wa Diocese, Ghana

The SMI in Wa Diocese, Ghana works with mostly youth (most of them are the primary schools, Junior High and Tertiary institutions) local people, victims and survivors of human trafficking to create awareness on human trafficking. Prior to the project implementation, a survey was carried out to have a baseline study on the situation of human trafficking in the Nandom municipality. The survey revealed that many young people were being trafficked, hence the need for awareness creation. The project successfully created awareness in the Nandom Municipality. Enabling one thousand five hundred boys and girls to acquire knowledge on how to detect and address human trafficking issues, and how to report to the police, when danger is sensed. The project also managed to support 1 individual through nurse training, 10 individuals with psychological counselling and 1 individual start a small cooking and selling business. The above was achieved through the courtesy of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, from 2021 to 2022. The congregation is grateful to them. Evaluation was done monthly, this brought the stakeholders together to discuss challenges that were being faced in the project and to find a way forward, hence leading to the successful completion of the project. Monitoring was done throughout the project, to keep the project on course to achieve the desired result. SMI works with the African Women Religious (AWR) who are working with Wa diocese and other partners such as the CECAM Ghana, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development , ConPAHT and Talitha Kum Ghana.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Padre Pio

Congregation : Benebikira Sisters Location : Rukungiri Uganda

The Padre Pio project aims to empower and contribute to the improvement of health, education and service delivery for the social and economic well-being of the marginalised people. The Benebikira Sisters in Rukungiri Uganda work with IPDs, migrants and victims of human trafficking from different regions in Uganda. In the year 2022, the congregation served a total of 1424 beneficiaries which included 430 men and 996 women. The services offered include education (60), vocational training (20), Shelter (3), psychological/pastoral (30), emergency assistance (10), advocacy (10), health care (40), employment opportunities (3), awareness campaigns (50) and human trafficking (1200). During the year the sisters worked to bring awareness and sensitisation to young girls and boys in the communities and in churches of human trafficking and its dangers. The sisters also teach the migrants small projects that are essential for their survival. Families of migrants and orphans have also been provided with food items, school fees and other materials that they need for survival. The Benebikira sisters work with other religious and church leaders in Uganda. During the year 2022 some internally displaced people received counselling and coaching on how they can improve their wellbeing by being creative using their different talents in order to be independent. The sisters conducted home visits to disabled individuals and families of people living with disability and provided them with tricycles as mobility aids.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Palazzolo Technical and Vocational Training Institute

Congregation: The Poverelle Sisters(under the Palazzolo technical and vocational training institute) Location: Kiambu

Palazzolo technical and vocational training institute is a technical college specialising in craft training in areas of ICT, Fashion and design, cosmetology, hospitality and engineering. The college targets youths ravaged by poverty, discrimination and substance abuse and instil in them a renewed sense of belonging, hope and purpose in life. The beneficiaries of our intervention are the migrants (approximately 60%) and the local people (approximately 40%) The migrants are the youths who have migrated from the rural villages and settled in the area in search of jobs, studies, and a good life in the city. These youth come from different parts of Kenya and live in slum areas near the school as they try to settle in the city capital of Nairobi. The college focuses on dual training where learners are taught practical hand crafts and then placed in industries to acquire industrial experience. The courses range from six months to one year after which the learners are eligible to sit for national examinations to acquire certifications in their thematic area. The dual training has brought significant achievement and transformation to the students and the community. Students have been placed in local industries for practical experience and some have been retained as employees. In addition, the training institute has been able to reduce the level of unemployment and petty crime in the area, lessen the burden of parents in taking care of youth and improved the relationship between youths and the local community. In 2023 a total of 1051 youth were trained in the above mentioned areas. The success is attributed to the adoption of dual training where students spent some time in college while other times they are placed in industries for practical experience. This mode of training reduces attrition rate of students as the students can link theory training with industry. In addition, the training focuses on systematic practical training which can be applied in the industry. The resultant feature is a highly motivated learner who is able to link what they are taught with the contemporary market and industry needs or trends.

The project teaches and equip the students with survival skills and employability skills to enable them to make the most of the available opportunities in the market and industry. As such our graduates are taught using locally available tools, equipment, materials so that they can be able to replicate and develop microbusinesses once they graduate. In addition, the students are taught soft skills i.e. entrepreneurship, communication, life skills, employability skills and bible studies, so that they can be ready to identify, seize and improve on the opportunities in the market. The Palazzolo Technical and vocational training institute has a total of 15 staff members and partners with local NGO which assist in identifying and preparing these students for technical training. Before these students are placed for technical training, they are normally registered under these mentorship NGOs where they assess their level of vulnerability and then take them through a series of soft skill training. These trainings help to orient the learner to adopt new ways of thinking, acquire new approach or attitude towards life and work. It is after assessing their progress that they are placed in technical training. These NGOs operate independently of the Palazzolo Technical and vocational training institute with their own target, budget, mission and vision.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Support for Migrants on the Streets of Wa/Ghana

Congregation: Society of Divine Mercy of Jesus (SDMJ) Location: Catholic Diocese of Wa, in the Upper Region of Ghana

The Society of Divine Mercy of Jesus started their project activities in October 2023. Between October 2023 to December 2023 services were provided to 27 people. A second intervention was also conducted to create awareness and sensitise the public in the upper West Region, Wa on Human Trafficking. The beneficiaries are migrants. From the 27 migrants served, five (5) were males and twenty-two (22) females. Most of these migrants are from Burkina Faso and Niger. SDMJ received support from the Talitha Kum group in Ghana to create awareness on Human Trafficking to the public through radio talk shows, talks in three senior Secondary schools and in two parishes. With the awareness creation greater numbers were reached. The services received included vocational training (12 people under training), health care (15 people) and awareness campaigns. The achievements include the planning meeting held on the 20th of September 2023 looking at the project proposal, the various activities to be carried out to reach the objectives and the responsible persons for the activities. A list of migrants who were not working and had to depend on the mercy of people in Wa was compiled. The project then enrolled twelve (12) female migrants in the training centre to learn vocational skills in weaving of the local fabric to empower them economically. At the end of the training, they were given some capital to set off their business. 15 people with mental conditions and their families were identified through a psychiatrist who then with Sr. Evelyn Dibaar visited the families to have discussions with them to know the history of the patients. This initial interaction helped the medical team to know the kind of mental issues each patient had to enable them to give the right medication. The patient’s families were educated on the need to assist these patients function in the community or society in which they belong.

In October 2023 to December 2023 under the Ghana Anti-Trafficking Project, SDMJ undertook various activities in the Diocese of Wa to create awareness and sensitise the public on Human Trafficking and its effect on the individual. Collaborations were done with the Ghana Police Service, Human Right, Immigration Service and Social Welfare Department to create awareness and sensitise the public. The team had a radio talk show that engaged the public. After the radio discussion the phone lines were open for people to call in to clarify and ask questions about Human Trafficking. The team visited three senior secondary schools to sensitise the on menace. Over 1,620 students were sensitised. Talks were also done in two parishes, about 1,350 people made up of women, men, youth and the children were sensitised. The operators of the project include 6 staff members and four volunteers. Other partners that SDMJ work with include Ghana police Service, Human Rights, Immigration Service, Social Welfare Department, the traditional Authorities (Chiefs, Assembly persons, Queen Mothers) They all work together to release the sufferings of the vulnerable and to put ‘human face’ on them.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Mater Ecclesiae, Mother of Migrants and Refugees Capacity Building Project

Congregation: Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church Location: Catholic Diocese of Ho, Volta Region Ghana

Migrants and Refugees Project is a ministry the Institute of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC) has freely embraced and has been working on to liberate and give a meaningful standard of living to these unfortunate people. The Institute over the years has worked with migrants and refugees especially from neighbouring Togo and has taken steps since 2021 to regularise it as a mission. The mission is focused on providing shelter (rented accommodation) to the migrants and refugees on the move, helping to enrol the unskilled ones into trade to acquire vocational skills to be financially empowered. Also, those who have the potential to continue with formal education are given the needed assistance to enrol in school. The Mater Ecclesiae, Mother of Migrants and Refugees Capacity Building Project reaches out to Migrants (internal and international), Refugees, (internal and international), Climate displaced persons, Victims of Human Trafficking and Persons whose life is conditioned by experiences of Human Mobility. The Project provides rental accommodation for the period of training and integration into the Ghanaian system. Also, the congregation is helping migrants, refugees IDPs and victims of human trafficking to address their health needs through vaccination enrolment into the National Health Insurance scheme of the country. The project also provides education and training opportunities by enrolling the youths and children in school and apprenticeship to acquire employable skills. Awareness creation is being done on the cultural and social behaviours of Ghanaians, rights of migrants and refugees, local laws, and psychological support on trauma and post-trauma syndromes. According to Sr. Mary-Consolata Serwah Ntenye, ‘We also intend to provide a convenient space for initiation and processing of immigration documents, and any challenge that may arise in relation to socio-cultural integration. This is to fulfil the universal church’s divine call to serve. We are providing holistic hospitality irrespective of their religious creed, social and cultural orientations. Our biggest aspiration and joy are to see these migrants and refugees live a meaningful and glorious life as the Lord has destined for everyone.

The following has been achieved in the year 2022: i. 63 people made up of 41 females and 22 males from five different African countries namely Burkina Faso, Liberia, Nigeria, Togo, and Benin are benefiting from the project ii. Education: Out of the 19 students who are benefiting from education, 11 of them are enrolled in basic school and all their fees paid, books, uniforms, and foot wares procured for them. 6 have been enrolled in Senior High School (SHS) Books, foodstuffs, and footwear have been bought for them. We have assisted and enrolled 2 into Nursing Training School. We paid their school fees, paid for their accommodation, bought their books, and are supporting them with food stuff. iii. Vocational Training: We have so far supported 26 people in vocational training. The following is the breakdown: hairdressing 7, tailoring and dressmaking-8, glassing works 2, interior and exterior decoration- 3 cake making and bakery 6. iv. All 63 people have benefited from psychological support. A clinical psychologist was engaged to take all the 63 through psychological support, v. Vaccination and enrolment for all 63 people on the National Health Insurance scheme was done. The strategies used in achieving the above-listed seven milestones are: 1. Seminars and workshops on local laws; 2. Engaging Clinical Psychologists to provide psychological education and support to drug addicts, streetwalkers, victims of violence, trauma etc.; 3. acquiring rental accommodation for 2 students in tertiary school and 24 in vocational training; 4. engaging medical professionals from Catholic Health Institutions; 5. enrolling 26 of the beneficiaries into apprenticeship and other vocations; 6. liaising with appropriate authorities for the voluntary repatriations: 7. enrolling eleven (11) children into basic schools in Keta, Aflao Dzodze, Kadjebi, Nkwanta and 6 into Senior High Schools of their choice; 8. securing admission for and supporting girls who are part of the beneficiaries into Margaret Marquart Nursing Training school; and 9. assisting 7 women who already have skills in various vocations with tools and equipment to start their own trade.

The project, with funding from the Catholic Sisters Project under the auspices of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Catholic Bishop of Ho, and the assistance of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, the Ho and Keta-Akatsi Diocese is ensuring that the beneficiaries are benefiting from tools and equipment and permanent works through skill acquisition to be self-reliant. SMMC is so passionate about the welfare of these migrants and refugees that personnel from the Congregation have been detailed and are assisting to ensure that all the beneficiaries within their jurisdiction are undergoing the various trainings. Those in school are visited regularly to ensure that they are actually in school, and their basic needs are met. In addition to the tools and equipment purchased for those undergoing apprenticeship, their apprenticeship fees are paid and accommodation provided. For those children in basic schools, the congregation seeks to continue supporting them for their continuous education until they are out of Tertiary School and can gain employment. For those who have some skills, they have been helped with tools to be self-employed. It is the congregation’s expectation that these beneficiaries will have adequate resources to be financially independent and migration will not be an option for them for survival. The project is working with the active support of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church Institute, the Ho and Keta-Akatsi Dioceses. The number of Sisters assigned to the project is Fifteen (15) Volunteers. In addition to the project coordinator and (2) lay people making a total number of (18) volunteers. The two Catholic Bishops of the Volta Region are very much supportive of the mission of SMMC among the migrants and refugees. The Coordinators of the project carry along the local church in every activity; in that, the local parishes in Aflao and Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital, Kpando are the focal point of contact for most of the Catholic migrants. The coordinators seize opportunities in the various Catholic churches to sensitize parishes on their obligations towards migrants and refugees. Some tradesmen and women in the churches have agreed and scraped off part of the apprenticeship fee for migrants and refugees.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Assistance to Displaced Persons and Refugees in Kasongo and Pangi Territories

Congregation: Missionary Sisters of the Cross and Mercy (SMCM) Location: Province of Maniema in the Democratic Republic of Congo

SMCM’s work consists of assisting vulnerable displaced people with a range of services and raising community awareness of the need for peaceful coexistence. The beneficiaries are mostly war-displaced people from neighbouring provinces and those from the interior of the province, especially in southern Maniema. There are 3,345 IDPs in Pangi territory, the majority of whom are from Shabunda territory, fleeing the war with the Maimai militias, and from Kailo territory in the same circumstances. The displaced persons in Kasongo, of whom 4,910 have been registered, come from Kabambare territory and Nonda chiefdom, following the war between the armed groups; others come from Northern Katanga and Northern Tanganyika. In 2022 a total of 8255 beneficiaries (1909 males, 1909 females and 2368 children) were served. These beneficiaries received services in education (2100), vocational training (1022), housing (2180), psychological/pastoral care (518), emergency assistance (6700), advocacy (2), health care (800) and awareness campaigns. Below are details of the activities carried out: 1. Monitoring by humanitarian agents of mass displacement of the population of one or more communities; 2. Raising awareness among host families and the authorities about the availability of existing community infrastructure to accommodate large numbers of displaced people and refugees; 3. Identification of displaced persons in households and then grouping them in lists into three categories: men, women and youth/children; 4. Assessment of social vulnerability: disability, widows or single women, orphans, unaccompanied minors; 5. Assessment of urgent material needs (food vulnerability); 6. Raising awareness and alerting humanitarian organisations (Caritas, Ocha, ....) and volunteers; 7.

After raising awareness on the radio and in the various groups, SMCM received blankets, rice, cassava flour, soya, wood, tins of milk powder for the children, orphaned babies, saucepans, plates, tarpaulins, etc. ... The SMCM team was responsible for distribution. 8. Providing schooling for young people and children, literacy training for women and vocational training for adults (carpentry, masonry, IT, etc.); and 9. Young people and adults who have the required level give lessons at school. The strategies used by the SMCM to achieve success during this period include: raising awareness in the community, among host families humanitarian agencies and people of goodwill through posters and the media; collecting funds and materials; finding volunteers to work with the sisters to distribute donations, starting with the most vulnerable and skills development and vocational training. Other strategies include having host families to give human warmth, especially for orphaned children and widows; and reintegrating displaced persons and refugees into economic and social life by providing them with homes and income-generating activities. The operators include SMCM nuns and lay SMCM volunteers. The congregation also works with the Caritas Development Kasongo and the Charitable Institution of the diocese of Kasongo. This project came to an end at a crucial time, when the number of displaced people had increased following clashes between the “Malaika” armed groups and the DRC’s armed forces, and often between the Maimai groups themselves in southern Maniema and northern Katanga. The population of an entire sector of Nonda has moved to Kasongo, the capital of the territory, and is staying with host families. Since all the humanitarian offices have already closed in Maniema, it is the host families who are bearing the brunt of these displaced people. As for the Rwandan refugees, they live scattered in villages where they can be identified. The needs have remained enormous since January 2023.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Short Term Accommodation and Empowerment Training

Congregation: Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo Scalabrinians (under the Bienvenu Shelter for Refugee Women and their Children) Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Bienvenu shelter provides safe and secure accommodation to the most vulnerable migrant and refugee women and their children. All coming from 11 different African countries. The largest number served are from DRC, followed by Zimbabwe and South Africa along with other African countries having lower numbers. The numbers shown for South Africa indicate the acceptance of integration for other nationalities. The shelter provides Early Childhood Development (ECD) within Lovely Bears creche from 4-6 years and Mother Assunta baby room from 0-3 years. An empowerment programme which offers a three month course to women wishing to learn new skills to generate an income for self-sustainability is also offered. 3 courses are provided per year of various skills training of which depends on local market demand. An outreach programme is available to ex-residents and the most destitute women and families in the surrounding area where they are provided with food parcels, transport to attend various appointments, school support etc. In the year 2022, 176 migrant and refugee women and children were provided with safe and secure accommodation. 266 women concluded livelihood training programme, 62 children were provided with ECD, and 11 177 families and 38 238 indirect people within the local community were assisted with foods and essentials through the outreach programme. Counselling sessions and health care were also provided for staff through referrals to network organisations, and advocacy was provided on an ongoing basis. There were many achievements during 2022 which included the Canonization of Saint Scalabrini, father to the Migrants. Solar panels were installed at the Training Centre. A 20-year celebration book of the Bienvenu Shelter, both written in Portuguese and English was launched. The organisation’s representatives also attended the conference in Mexico for “promoting lives at the borders” and the 102 Convention of the German Catholics in Stuttgart, Germany (Staying, seeking refuge, arriving – Empowering Refugees worldwide)

According to the congregation’s representative, “In the same year the project has achieved its objectives. It met our overall expectations. Even through very challenging times of the global pandemic, we ensured that we adapted all projects in line with government directives in order for us to continue providing services for the most vulnerable women and children, students and families within the surrounding area” The above were achieved through love and patience for the mission, good cooperation, networking and raising awareness and the ability to welcome every person entering with equality, humanity, and compassion. Women empowerment through training and daily life skills to become self-sustainable giving them the tools in which to do so is one of the initiatives that the organisation concentrates on. All the work was possible through the work with 27 staff and volunteers (16 permanent staff and 11 volunteers) that work at the organisation. Bienvenu Shelter has been successful in securing ongoing funding through its work and fundraising initiatives with a variety of partners both local and international. The shelter also continues to submit funding proposals to various local and international donors and respond to every call for proposals that aligns with the work they do.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Musina Catholic Shelter for Women and Children

Congregation: Sisters of the Holy Cross Location: Limpopo, South Africa

The Roman Catholic Shelter for Women and Children was established in 2008 by the Catholic Church in Musina in response to the influx of people from other African countries, especially neighbouring Zimbabwe, Burundi and the DRC, due to political and economic insecurity and instability. Musina is a border town just next to the Zimbabwe and South Africa Beitbridge border post. In 2008 Musina was flooded with migrants and refugees coming from Zimbabwe due to the political crisis in that country at the time. Initially, anyone who arrived at Musina was accommodated at the Showgrounds. This caused major problems that resulted in multiple local stakeholders, including churches, coming together to plan how best to address this situation. It was then that the old Catholic Church in Nancefield, Musina, (was being used for various community projects) was offered as a temporary shelter to be used by women; it was foreseen that this arrangement would be temporary. To-date, the need for a shelter for migrant women and their children continues to exist and the old church continues to serve in that way. The shelter operates under five objectives which are: 1. To provide a temporary place of Refuge and Shelter for Migrant and Refugee women and their minor children 2. To help to restore their human dignity to enable the women to plan for their lives 3. To refer these women to resources in the community 4. To provide access to trauma counselling if needed. 5. To offer care and stimulation to the children who stay at the Shelter. In order to meet these objectives, the shelter offers bunk bed accommodation for 60 women, but due to increasing numbers of women seeking assistance and shelter, most of the time the shelter also uses mattresses and available floor space for the overflow.

In Sept 2023 the shelter housed 120 women and 37 children, this was due to the fact that the Dept of Home Affairs here in Musina had opened their door for walkin applications for the renewal of temporary Asylum permits. Numerous women from all over South Africa especially those from DRC came to Musina to avail of this opportunity, this meant that many women had to sleep outside on Mattress. There are two main categories of women who come to the shelter. The first are those who come from DRC and other countries in the region, who are seeking asylum, and who must wait weeks to have their applications for temporary asylum approved for a limited period of time (perhaps 6 months) before they must re-apply for an extension. The second group of women arriving at the shelter are from Zimbabwe and have come because of poverty and hunger in their country of origin. These women, young and old, arrive hoping to get precarious piecework jobs in order to provide for their children, and often their grandchildren and extended family members. This group comprise the majority of women at the shelter. Sometimes, they have been called by a husband or boyfriend only to find when they arrive in South Africa that this person is no longer contactable.

Many women do not have documentation and so they cross the river to get into South Africa illegally, which is extremely dangerous, especially given the danger of drowning or encountering crocodiles. Some come seeking either medical help for themselves or for their children. They are referred either to the local clinic or to Musina hospital, depending on the nature of their illness. At present it is very difficult to access medical care if a person is undocumented though the local hospital does help if the patient is pregnant or a child. In addition to physical health issues, an increasing number of women arrive with severe psychological problems, and some with serious psychiatric problems. This is a major challenge as sometimes these women have been so traumatised they become violent. This can make them a danger to themselves and to other residents, requiring the intervention of the local police who are often very slow in responding, thus endangering the residents and the staff. Perhaps the saddest situation is when women explain that they have left the children at home alone and hope and pray that their neighbours will look after them as they have no other way to provide for them. Their only alternative was to come to Musina and try to get some work to be able to send something home, especially food. One of the greatest challenges in the shelter is that the women do not want to leave when their threemonth residence expires. The staff are reluctant to force them to leave because of the terrible circumstances in the homes they have left. In addition to accommodation, the shelter provides each resident with the following: a meal in the evening for everyone. Children, and women who are pregnant or sick receive three meals a day, clothing and basic hygiene materials are frequently given to residents as many women arriving from across the river are attacked by the maguma-guma (the local criminals who operate from both sides of the border) and are robbed of all their possessions, especially money or cell phones. Some have been raped and some beaten up and assaulted.

This is a secondary traumatisation for these women who have been forced to leave home for an unknown land and an uncertain future. Some have planned to move inland but are left without anything and arrive at the shelter with absolutely nothing and nowhere to go. The shelter often receives donations of second-hand clothing for those most in need and these are distributed to those in need. According to Sr. Francis Grogan, “We provide basic necessities for young girls/women who are pregnant and have been chased away either by boyfriends or family and have made no preparation for the birth of their baby. On occasion we have to even make burial arrangements for those who pass away at the shelter and have no one to bury them. We also have to ensure that there are adequate ablution facilities and electricity and gas for cooking.” Shelter staff includes 5 members and one volunteer. The residents are divided into teams to assist with cooking and cleaning. The project manager, Sr. Francis Grogan, has overseen the shelter’s growth with the help of many benefactors, including the Catholic Church who provided the building, two private foundations (the main project donors) who cover operational costs, local shops in Musina who give small donations of food, and also occasional assistance provided by the Department of Social Development, this was especially so during Covid pandemic which was a great challenge for everyone at the Shelter. The Shelter works together with many other stakeholders in the local community to ensure the best possible service to the residents; these include Future Families , Musina legal advice office, Outreach Foundation, IOM, and the South African Bishops Conference.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, Encounter and Dialogue of the Congregation

Congregation: Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA) Country: Algeria

The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA) were founded in 1869 in Algeria, North Africa has been dedicated to spreading the Gospel through evangelisation, care for the environment, commitment to peace and justice advocacy, promoting of intercultural, interreligious, and ecumenical dialogue, prevention of human trafficking and care for migrants and refugees. These initiatives are motivated by the founder’s zeal to offer “service for Africa and the African World”. In Algeria, MSOLA sisters provide services to migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Malians, Nigerians, and Gambians, who continue to enter Algeria in search of work or as a step on their way to Libya and Europe. As she highlighted some of the work that she does, Sr Franceline Hien, a Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa indicated that she visits migrants in the prison twice a month and provides for them spiritual and economic support. She also helps migrants to be connected with IOM and their Embassy for volunteer return to their home countries. According to Sr Franceline, when asked about some of the achievements in 2022 she indicated that, “The achievement is that I am there every two weeks at the prison to give assistance to my brothers and sisters who have no one to visit them. I give them joy and I value them. The other two I managed to connect them with IOM for going back home safely”. Other contributions include providing support to people that would want to move to discern on their choice of moving from one country to another. MSOLA in Algeria collaborates a lot with IOM, Embassies and the Talitha Kum network.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Assisting Migrants, Refugees and Vulnerable People in the Comoros Archipelago

Congregation: Missionary Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Location: Ngazidja and Anjouan, Comoros Islands

The Missionary Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta works under the Coordination of the Vicariate for the Apostolate of Migrants and Refugees in the Comoros Islands. Their work contributes to supporting migrants and refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia. Support includes assistance with administrative detention, in terms of food and health care. They collaborate with the Comorian authorities so that migrants in detention are released to stay at the Catholic mission in Anjouan where they are offered shelter, food, health care and education for their children. The sisters assist the migrants and refugees to find jobs. They also work with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Pretoria to grant the asylum seekers refugee status and find them a host country. In collaboration with the UNHCR, they take steps to reunite some of the refugees with their families. As a result, some children have been reunited with their families in France, and some in Mayotte. Other refugees were taken to Lesotho to the refugee camp. Others stayed at the congregation’s accommodation centre In 2022 a total of 52 migrants and refugees were assisted; these included 12 women, 12 children and 28 men. The beneficiaries are migrants and refugees mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia. 10 refugee children were supported in education, 40 individuals were supported with housing/shelter, 21 received advocacy services, 35 health care and 4 with employment. Some of the migrants and refugees’ final destination is the French Island of Mayotte, the Comoros is just a stepping stone. For the natives, at Caritas there is a vocational training centre in dressmaking for women and girls who have not had the chance to study. At the end of their training, the congregation gives them machines to make them independent in their homes. The sisters through the organisation they work under plans to provide vocational training for young men and boys. This is to ensure that migration is a free choice and not a constraint. All the operators are volunteers; these include the coordinator, linked to the Bishop’s office, the Anjouan Parish Caritas and the Community of the Missionary Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. There are a total of seven (7) people in the relief team. The team works with the Comorian Red Crescent, the United Nations Office in the Comoros and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees based in Pretoria.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Building Hope, Justice and Peace in the Mining Communities of Kolwezi, DRC

Congregation: Good Shepherd Sisters Location: Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Good Shepherd Sisters in Kolwezi DRC are part of the Bon Pasteur organisation which has been actively involved in addressing issues such as child labour in artisanal mining, gender-based violence, economic empowerment of women and adolescents, community development, child protection, and healthcare services in the Kolwezi region. The main beneficiaries of the project are local people in vulnerable situations. In addition, Bon Pasteur supports Migrants/Refugees (10 persons from Zambia, Angola and South Africa) and Internally Displaced Persons (83 persons from GOMA) Over the past two years a total of 9415 beneficiaries were served, these include 4697 males and 4718 females. These were served in the following areas: education (3979), vocational training (946), psychological (319), advocacy (177), health care (2661), awareness campaigns (4109) and livelihoods (9228) Achievements during the specified period include: • Reduced child labour rates through the provision of alternative livelihood opportunities and vocational skills training. • Enhanced child protection and awareness about child rights in the mining communities. • Empowered women and adolescents through skills training and social empowerment initiatives. • Improved social cohesion and advocacy efforts within the targeted communities. The strategies used for success in the Bon Pasteur Kolwezi Program include: (i) providing alternative livelihood opportunities and vocational training to reduce child labour; (ii) raising awareness about child rights and advocating for child-friendly policies; (ii) offering skills training and promoting social empowerment for women and adolescents; (iv) engaging in community development activities and advocacy efforts. These strategies can be adopted in other projects by emphasising community participation, incorporating skills training and empowerment initiatives, and prioritising child protection and advocacy. Bon Pasteur contributes to ensuring adequate resources and needs for survival by providing access to education to keep children away from hazardous child labour, offering support for alternative livelihoods to reduce dependency on mining for income, ensuring food security through agricultural training programs and promoting economic empowerment for women and adolescents in the communities. As of December 2023, Bon Pasteur has 102 staff. Staff include Good Shepherd Sisters and lay persons. Bon Pasteur works in partnership with organisations such as the Good Shepherd International Foundation (GSIF), civil society platforms, law firms, health care centres, schools, and local community committees. Integration with other entities in the area doing similar work is possible through collaboration with NGOs, government agencies (ministries of social affairs, education, agriculture, plan, child protection police, etc.), and local stakeholders to maximise impact and address community needs effectively.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Self-help Farm Project for Refugees and Host Community at Palabek Settlement

Congregation: Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu Location: Palabek refugee settlement, Northern Uganda, Lamwo District in Uganda

Currently LSMIG is implementing a self-help farm project in Palabek refugees’ settlement Lamwo district Northern Uganda the interventions targets refugees who only are mainly supported by humanitarian reliefs that are not sufficient and sustainable. LSMIG have initiated the self-help farm project as it is essential in improving food security, household income and providing gainful employment to the refugee population who have little possibility of entering the formal job market. The whole of last year LSMIG implemented the project by training and equipping the farmers with necessary skills and knowledge in practices of self-help farming projects at the demonstration farm set on the land of the LSMIG in Palabek Parish, then Upon return to their homes, the refugee women will help their families to start their own farm projects and give training to others to ensure dissemination and sustainability of the newly acquired expertise in self-help farm projects. In the demonstration site the group members were trained on good agronomic practices such as site identification, land preparation, nursery bed preparation, sowings of seeds and management, mulching, weeding, irrigation, pest and disease control, harvest, and post-harvest handling. The intervention covered skilling in field crops, such as maize, cassava and horticultural crops (onion, tomatoes, okra, Eggs plant) Additionally, LSMIG trained and formed one group for VSLA. VSLA is an approach for financial inclusion in the group, where the members continue getting loan and savings to meet their needs and progressively starting their own business. Refugees live in settlement within host communities and have access to services in equal measure with nationals. The high rate of poverty among refugees and limited economic opportunities contribute to higher poverty levels in refugees-hosting areas, which are often remote and less developed. These factors provide a justification for investing in the socio-economic development of these areas for the benefit of both refugees and host communities.

However, this same scenario has affected the hosting communities as there is increase in population against the limited resources like land, fuel, food amongst others to mention, poor farming systems, land degradation as there is over cutting of trees for firewood and constructions. Therefore, as LSMIG sisters in Africa, Palabek refugee settlements are doing a number of activities to help give the assistance psychologically to the people on the move. This was deployed through a group participatory approach to enable the achievement of the target of the project. Also, regular field supervision and practical hands-on onsite training were conducted. The beneficiaries were also trained on hands in agriculture skills, meaning that all the training were on-site training which involves a lot of practices such that even those who don’t know how to read and write benefit from the practical skills. At the same time, the sisters encouraged them to have a demonstration plot jointly in a selected site of their choice and then later they replicate in their different households, while the staff give them follow ups and technical backstopping in order to bridge any gap. All these successes were possible through the work of the LSMIG, the agriculture extension staff who offers all training for beneficiaries and also other partners in Palabek settlement where we share experience and challenges especially during the livelihood sector meeting and then find amicable solutions together for the betterment of servicing the refugees.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Ukusijoni Refugee Service

Congregation: Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa Location: Adjumani District Northern Uganda

The Cardinal Charles Martial Allemand-Lavigerie and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA) were founded in 1869 in Algeria, North Africa. For more than 150 years, our two institutes have been dedicated to spreading the Gospel through evangelisation, care for the environment, commitment to peace and justice advocacy, promoting intercultural, interreligious, and ecumenical dialogue, prevention of human trafficking and care for migrants and refugees. These initiatives are motivated by the founder’s zeal to offer “service for Africa and the African World” In 2020 at the celebration of the 150 years anniversary of the MSOLA, and in response to the call of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) to religious congregations for help in the pastoral and spiritual care of the many refugees who had entered the country from South Sudan, a mission was started to work with refugees. The missionaries, consisting of two priests, one brother and three sisters, started arriving early 2020. By 2021, the team was complete, and the launch of the mission was marked at the end of the three weeks workshop that took place in Nairobi, Kenya. The mission is situated in Ukusijoni and Ciforo Sub-Counties of Adjumani District. Upon arrival in Adjumani, MSOLA embarked on learning the language (Ma’di) and the culture. Other than learning the language and responding gradually to some of the pastoral challenges, MSOLA carried out a detailed needs assessment in order to enhance learning and plan their activities well. From January 2022 to November 2022, through presence and listening, the sisters were able to produce a report that highlights challenges and needs of the refugees and host communities which informed the “2023- 2026 Strategic and Action Plan”

The needs assessment pointed out to the need of offering pastoral and spiritual care; listen accompany and offer psycho-social support; promote love, justice, peace, and co-existence and enhance and enhance resilience through education and life skills empowerment initiatives so that the refugees and communities are equipped with knowledge and skills to respond to their livelihood need. In 2022 MSOLA provided education, vocational training and gave food parcels to migrants in Adjumani. The congregation also participated in peace building and coexistence initiatives between the host communities and refugees. Furthermore, guided by the needs assessment, MSOLA seeks to empower the refugees and host community members with education in high school in view of going to university and college and skills training for a sustainable society. Currently, MSOLA collaborates with the Missionaries of Africa who are part of the team and the Refugee welfare council leaders. Other organisations that MSLOA are working with include the Scalabrinians, JRS, Lutheran Worldwide Foundation, other religious groups, the local government authorities through the office of the prime minister refugee desk.

Country of Destination (Host Country Interventions) - Human and Vocational Training for Internally Displaced Persons and Social Leaders for the Prevention of Human Trafficking

Congregation : Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo Scalabrinians (CEPAMI) Location: Angola

The Scalabrini sisters continue to work with CEPAMI to organise and promote the various pastoral services in accordance with the recommendations of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Several projects are implemented in areas where migrants are particularly vulnerable, prioritising professional training courses for women, as well as human, social and entrepreneurship training. In 2022 CEPAMI served a total of 5762 beneficiaries (2007 male and 3755 female) through different projects including education (175), vocational training (190), housing/ shelter (4), psychological/pastoral (1885), emergency assistance (853), advocacy (292), health care (2190), employment opportunities/paid work (210), awareness campaigns on exploitation and human trafficking, and refugee funerals (12) CEPAMI works for the empowerment and integration of migrants and the host population by providing them access to education, vocational and entrepreneurial skills training, and job placement opportunities. In 2022 CEPAMI offered the following courses to repatriated refugees and internally displaced persons: • 1 Manicure course for refugees, at the Viana Refugee Centre - Luanda, held from November 2021 to July 2022, attended by 12 people. • 1 Hairdressing and manicure course for refugees, at the Bairro Popular refugee centre - Luanda, held from November 2021 to July 2022, attended by 18 people. • 1 Yoghurt and ice cream course for women returnees, at the Parish of Santo António, Hoji-Ya-Henda, Luanda, held on 5 February 2022, attended by 25 people. • 1 Soap-making course for refugees, at Bairro Popular in Luanda, Bairro Popular, Luanda, held on 19 March 2022, attended by 25 people. • 1 Cutting and sewing course for returnees, at the Parish of Santo António, Hoji-Ya-Henda, Luanda, held from 28 May to September 2022, attended by 20 people. • 1 Manicure course for refugees, held in Bairro Sanzala in Viana, from 15 May to August 2022, attended by 17 people.

• 1 Hairdressing course for refugees, in Bairro Popular - Luanda, from 25 April to August 2022, attended by 15 people. • 1 Soap-making course for returnees, at Santo António Parish, Hoji-Ya-Henda, Luanda, held on 12 March 2022, attended by 13 people. • 1 Soap-making course for Internally displaced people, in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Lucala, Lunda Norte, held on 15 July, attended by 26 people. • English and French language courses for (6) six Pastoral Migration agents in Luanda and Uíge. • Portuguese language classes for refugees, returnees, and internally displaced people, at the Parish of São Joaquim - Praia do Bispo in Luanda, held from December 2021 to March 2022, attended by 26 participants. • 1 Portuguese language course for repatriated children at the Parish of São José, Bairro Belo Monte, Luanda, held from November 2021 to July 2022, attended by 29 participants. • Literacy classes for repatriates, in the Parish of São José, Bairro Belo Monte, Luanda, held from November 2021 to July 2022, with 97 people. English language classes for returnees, at Santo António Parish, Hoji-Ya-Henda, Luanda, held from January to August 2022, attended by 15 people. The strategies used by CEPAMI to meet their targets include observing the reality, defining the objectives, goals, and desired results together with the local leaders, financial planning, clear communication with all stakeholders, regular evaluations, teamwork, and the transparency in reporting to the funder, which helps to build trust and international credibility. The above projects contribute to the improvement of the condition of migrants and local population by providing access to education, especially for vulnerable minors and women; they also improve the access to labour opportunities and reduce the need to migrate in order to get an adequate education and a job, even in the informal market. The projects create family and personal income opportunities, encouraging the local entrepreneurship through vocational training, and providing the equipment needed to start a business. CEPAMI keeps the human being at the centre and of all his projects and activities, valuing his dignity, strengthening the hope for a better life, but also empowering them to change their lives. This is important to ensure that people have adequate resources for a dignified life in the places where they live.

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