Nigerian social worker wins

World Methodist Peace Award

MS ROS COLWILL, a Roman Catholic Nigerian who serves as a mission partner from the British Methodist Church on assignment with the Methodist Church in Nigeria, is the sole recipient of the 2011 Methodist Peace Award.

The social worker received the award from the Rev Dr John Barrett, Chairman of the World Methodist Council which instituted the award, during the afternoon session of the World Methodist Conference on Aug 5.

Ms Colwill initially worked with leprosy patients in Nigeria. She encountered many leprosy victims with mental health problems and became increasingly aware of the number of impoverished people with mental illnesses and learning disabilities.

She gathered support locally and internationally and developed a pioneer project in a small village in the south-east of Nigeria, Itumbauzo, called “Amaudo” (Village of Peace), which began in 1990. She developed a holistic and community-based approach to care for these people.

It is even more inspiring to acknowledge Ms Colwill as this year’s recipient as she has partial disability following a stroke. She received the award in a wheelchair, and got a standing ovation.