Invisible Children treasures organizations that join in the fight against social injustice and actively address the needs of those who are overlooked by the rest of the world.
HEAL Africa is a non-profit organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo that is making a difference by addressing disease, poverty, and the oppression of women. In essence, they’re getting their hands dirty in the middle of disaster.
The challenges they face: immeasurable.
Their results: remarkable.
Am I biased because I’ve been there and seen their impact? Absolutely.
I traveled to DR Congo in the summer of 2011 when a report by CBC news cited it to be the most dangerous place for women to live. After gaining independence 53 years ago, the country has been a war zone for dozens of independent militias – the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) being one of them.
In addition to extreme violence, rape has been rampantly used as a physical and mental war tactic to break down females, therefore destabilizing the foundation of the community. People live in constant fear of being attacked not only by the rebels but also the soldiers who are supposed to protect them.
I sat in a small church with over 50 women from the region of Goma, all of who had been raped multiple times by both rebel soldiers and government soldiers. Their expressions reflected no emotion as their stories were told, and I realized how common this occurrence was to them.
For many in the region of Goma, HEAL Africa is the only place they find hope and a chance of survival. Founded in 2000 by Lyn Lusi and her husband Jo, the couple utilized Jo’s skills as a specialist doctor in repairing fistula (tearing caused by repeated rape or complicated labor) and clubbed feet. Today, over ten years later the organization includes two hospitals that are staffed by 85+ doctors and nurses. Dr. Jo has successfully completed over 2,000 fistula repair surgeries and the staff has worked with over 40,000 post-traumatic victims of rape and gender violence. They have over ninety-nine programs that assist in community development for locals as well as people who travel to Goma for their services.
By empowering women and strengthening families, communities, and the Congolese society as a whole, HEAL Africa has made an unquestionable impact on the people of DR Congo. All is still not well, but it’s good to know that there are effective organizations with people making a positive impact in places and times of need.
– Jaide Timm-Garcia
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