Past Winners
Journalist J.D. Long-Garcia of the Catholic Sun in Phoenix, Arizona, and a 2012 Egan Award winner, interacts with children at a CRS-supported school in Burkina Faso. Photo by Kim Pozniak/CRS
In October 2012, three winners of the Eileen Egan Award for Journalistic Excellence—accompanied by Catholic Relief Services staff—traveled to Niger and Burkina Faso in West Africa. During 12 days of travel, they witnessed the work of CRS and the Catholic Church in assisting the poorest of the poor overcome a food crisis caused by drought.
The journalists had an opportunity to see first-hand how communities were affected by drought and hunger, and how CRS, in collaboration with our local partners including the Church, helps them develop increased resilience to these crises. The group saw projects ranging from the restoration of deforested land, microfinance and school feeding programs to nutrition centers for malnourished children. The Egan winners also learned about how both countries are dealing with an influx of refugees from Mali and how CRS is supporting them.
You can read more about their experiences in the following articles written for their publications.
Stories About the Trip
- West African resilience: How women are key to long-term stability in the Sahel J.D. Long-Garcia for The Catholic Sun
- Medical center targets crippling malnutrition in Burkina Faso J.D. Long-Garcia for The Catholic Sun
- Humanitarian efforts cope with unexpected refugees in West Africa J.D. Long-Garcia for The Catholic Sun
- West African bishops focus development efforts on education J.D. Long-Garcia for The Catholic Sun
- Africa trip — Educating Burkina children Ambria Hammel for The Catholic Sun
- Children turn to gold mining after drought leaves few options in Burkina Faso J.D. Long-Garcia for The Catholic Sun
- Jesus' Command: 'Give Them Some Food' John Feister for St. Anthony Messenger
