Nigerian Mother Finds Hope in Sewing After Losing Family to Violence

In the heart of Jibia, Katsina State, Nigeria, Safiya Musa has discovered a new lease on life through her sewing machine, a tool that has allowed her to regain a sense of purpose and provide for her children after a harrowing experience of violence. Following a brutal raid in 2023, which claimed the lives of her husband and two of her children, Safiya was thrust into a painful dilemma: to return to her hometown or to cling to the fragile independence she has painstakingly built since being displaced. The memories of that fateful day remain vivid for her, as she recalls the chaos that erupted in Kankara, where her family had settled after moving from Batsari. The attack, aimed at abducting the town's leader, resulted in widespread gunfire, forcing Safiya to lock herself away while her young children played outside. Tragically, her husband had left for the farm just moments before the violence erupted, and she later learned that he was among the casualties. After fleeing to Batsari and then to Jibia, where she found refuge in a camp for displaced persons, she was reunited with her surviving children, yet the trauma of loss loomed large over her.

Safiya's story is emblematic of the broader crisis that has gripped northwest Nigeria for over a decade, characterized by rampant violence, kidnappings, and attacks by armed groups often referred to as bandits. This ongoing turmoil has uprooted countless families, disrupted agriculture and trade, and left many struggling to rebuild their lives. Katsina State, which shares a border with Niger, has been particularly affected by these challenges. Upon her arrival in Jibia, Safiya took on various jobs to make ends meet, including grinding grain for locals. Her fortunes began to change when she was selected for a handbag-making training program organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its Climate Security Project. This initiative aims to empower women affected by conflict by providing them with vocational training and the necessary tools to start small businesses. Through this program, Safiya learned valuable skills and gained access to resources that enabled her to create a sustainable source of income, offering her a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.