Notre Dame Nuns Supporting Families, IDPs amid Insecurity, COVID-19 Crisis in Burkina Faso

The predominantly Muslim nation has for a long time been regarded as a model for peaceful coexistence between religions. While there were only isolated attacks in previous years, an explosion of violence broke out in 2019 with serious jihadist attacks targeting Christian communities. 

As a result of the conflict, thousands of people have fled for their lives. A report by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates that the number of IDPs in the country increased by 58,807 in March 2020, a surge credited to the deterioration of security and humanitarian situation.

The violence has also severely restricted Church activities in the country. Pastoral care has come to a complete standstill in some areas due to the violent attacks as Priests and nuns can no longer move freely to care for the faithful in the villages while some parishes have been closed for security reasons. 

Amid the challenges in the country, members of SNDLB whose charism is to announce the Good News of Salvation to the poorest “continue the mission of Christ by bringing Holy Communion to certain elderly people.”

Founded by Fr. Alain Gayet, a member of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) in 1967, members of SNDLB have their base in the parish of Bam in Burkina Faso’s Ouahigouya diocese.

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The members serve among the people of God deprived of spiritual and social support in rural areas, contributing to the upholding of the dignity and rights of women. They also free young girls from cultural constraints through education.

“At the beginning of March, two nursing sisters of the congregation were sent for training in a health center in the town of Séguénéga,” ACN reported and added, “Today, they are confronted with the virus and sensitize patients to the wearing of masks, handwashing, distancing, etc.”

“Some of our communities remain confined but are united to the Church and to the whole world by the intensity of their personal and community prayer,” SNDLB Superior General, Sr Thérèse Kabore told ACN.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.