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early a decade ago, as the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon escalated, thousands of refugees crossed into Nigeria in search of safety. Moved by compassion, the Tertiary Sisters, in collaboration with the Sisters of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (SST) and later the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFMCap), mobilised to provide emergency assistance. While many religious communities eventually withdrew, the Tertiary Sisters remained—sustained by their Franciscan commitment to solidarity with the marginalised.
To strengthen their long-term presence, Sr Gloria Wirba, then Provincial Superior of the Cameroon Province, oversaw the establishment of a convent in Takum, Nigeria. Three sisters were missioned there to continue the work. Their presence has brought lasting relief and stability to the refugee population in the region.
Over the past five years, the Tertiary Sisters have collaborated with local partners, NGOs, and individuals of goodwill to offer a range of vital services:
- Safe accommodation and food assistance
- Healthcare and social support
- Vocational training and formal education
- Agricultural projects to promote sustainability
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Gerard Tiko’or Akenji, a Nigerian TikTok influencer, praised the sisters for their unwavering dedication, especially in providing healthcare, education, and pathways to self-reliance for displaced Cameroonians. He also highlighted the urgent need for stakeholders to support the sisters in securing legal documentation for the refugees—a step that would offer further dignity and security.
In Takum, the Tertiary Sisters have become more than service providers. They are a steady source of hope for a community in search of stability.