News
Latest news, stories from the ground from HEAL Africa.
Tribal Chiefs learn conflict analysis
I sat in on a workshop with tribal chiefs in Kindu, Maniema. The chiefs hold tremendous power in a country like Congo. They are known. Their word is the most basic law. It was the first time they'd come together for training, ever. The seminar theme was Conflict Transformation, beginning with learning to identify the reasons for conflict. They were engaged for three days in sharing, dialogue and discussion. The third day introduced the laws and changes which conflict with traditional practices. They asked for further training, as it helps them in their daily work, much of which involves resolving conflicts, and the chiefs offered to provide food for everyone. Mama Muliri and the leaders of the Nehemiah Committee led the workshop.
| More...HIV prevention workshops at HEAL Africa
Meet Ndungo Sakoul, shown below with his wife.
HIV has been part of HEAL Africa’s vocabulary since 2000, when Ndungo brought leaders of all faith groups to a workshop which taught the basics about HIV transmission. The Catholic Archbishop, the Muslim Imam, the various Protestant denominational leaders and the Kimbanguist leader decided to work together to face an enemy common to them all; they have been doing so for the past ten years. Today more than 210 activists in Catholic, Muslim, Protestant and Kimbanguist parishes around Goma are working to prevent the spread of HIV by informing people and urging behavior change. They do plays, radio broadcasts, have developed video clips to spark conversations, written curricula on living with HIV, caring for someone at home with HIV, how to talk about sexuality in the family. Churches are now starting to integrate HIV into their own campaigns. One church called and asked for help in teaching about reproductive health. There is a huge need for this type of teaching. Choisir la Vie is known and trusted.
| More...Orthopedic officers graduate
On Saturday, August 14th, 2010, the first class of Orthopedic Officers in the Democratic Republic of Congo graduated. Twelve men from Congo and Rwanda graduated, having completed three years of comprehensive training. They were given their diplomas by the Minister of Health at a ceremony at the University of Goma. Their teacher, Charles Bikulo Mukembanyi, completed his training at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. He has worked with HEAL Africa for the past ten years.
| More...Grandmothers care for HIV orphans
HEAL Africa's project called "Mother of Nations". Grandmothers learn to operate small businesses so they can support their oprhaned granchildren. In March this year, thanks to a grant from the Stephen Lewis Foundation, 75 grandmothers got a small loan and training in small business. Some have learned to read. All have been making items for sale. READ about HEAL Africa's CAP Clinic.
| More...RUINED at the Intiman - Seattle
HEAL Africa has been given the opportunity on opening night of the play RUINED (July 2), to present HEAL Africa to the audience following the play. We encourage you to see this award winning play (dates from July 2- August 8, 2010)
WHERE: Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center
Riding for World Health
How would you like to ride from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC? A group of young doctors is, doing workshops and raising awareness along the way about health issues in the world. This year they’re supporting HEAL Africa. Monday they’re in Columbus, Ohio, at the University of Ohio where the...
| More...Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean visits
Last week at HEAL Africa, the Governor General of Canada, Mrs. Michaelle Jean, spent time visiting the patients at the hospital and greeting the staff. Mme. Lukiana, Minister of Gender, Family and Children for DR Congo, was also with her....
| More...Safe Houses - Wamama Simameni
We drove to get there, the nondescript house on the side street in a little town in northeast Congo. They walk. They know it’s there and they know someone cares when they get there. There’s a listening room for the woman who’s been raped. If she’d heard about the treatment to prevent HIV, she’s already been to the hospital or clinic for PEP, or Post Exposure Prophyllaxis. If she didn’t know about it and it’s within 72 hours of the incident the counselors will get her to the hospital immediately. Then she can come back and tell them what happened. Getting the word out that they need to get PEP has been a big change for women in Congo. And there are now places that offer the treatment.
| More...At the heart of HEAL Africa’s work
At the heart of HEAL Africa’s work in northeastern DR Congo are the Nehemiah Committees. Each committee consists of village leaders, men and women, who represent all faith groups in community. They work together to help find ways to help the most vulnerable in their village. For the past five years HEAL Africa has been working with villages to help them find local solutions to their own challenges. Knowing that they’re not alone, but that they are being accompanied in the process, has given strength and released energy in 95 villages in North Kivu and 48 villages in Maniema provinces, Northeast Democratic Republic of Congo.
Thank you, Oprah & Microsoft
HEAL Africa’s work with survivors of rape and communities in Congo will be showcased on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” December 1st and on the December 25th the Oct 1st interview will be re-broadcast. During December our site will be hosted by Microsoft. Oprah's: For All Women
| More...Donate in Someone's Name
Donate, in honor of someone else! Make a HEAL Africa donation in someone else's name, and they will receive a card with details of the program that is being supported in their name as well as showing the gift amount. You may include a personal message for the recipient. To make a donation in honor of...
| More...US Secretary of State
Secretary of State Clinton wrote, "In 11 days of travel across Africa, I saw humanity at its worst - and at its best. In Goma …I saw both. Women and girls in particular have been victimized on an unimaginable scale, as sexual and gender-based violence has become a tactic of war and has reached epidemic proportions. Some 1,100 rapes are reported each month, with an average of 36 women and girls raped every day.
| More...US Secretary of State at HEAL
On Tuesday, August 11, 2009 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent some time at HEAL Africa to listen to patients in the gender-based violence program and hear a panel discussion with various civil society organizations represented. One of the things she said was, “HEAL Africa is doing amazing work”. WATCH VIDEO and Personal Letter
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HIV Nurse Brings Hope
Interview with Felicien Maisha
HEAL Africa CAP Nurse
"I remember that my family played a major role in that inspiration. In my village, there was no doctor. The nurse was that person who could take care of every patient in the local health center; my mother was one of those persons who consulted regularly in this nurse’s office." recalls: Felicien Maisha Read more ...
| More...AIDS-Free World visits Goma
Stephen Lewis and Paula Donovan, co-executive directors of AIDS-Free World, visited HEAL Africa on Saturday, August 8. “It was fascinating and impressive in equal measure”, said Mr. Lewis, well-known Canadian politician, broadcaster and diplomat. He has been a forceful voice on behalf of the women and children in Congo, and in Africa.
| More...U.S. Secretary of State in Goma
HEAL Africa thanks U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton for her commitment to peace, justice and protection for women in Congo. We know that it does take a village to raise a child. The mothers and children of northeastern Congo are crying for peace. The villages need to be rebuilt. Thank you for coming to visit HEAL Africa.
| More...Seafest & HEAL Africa
HEAL Africa thanks the volunteers who worked at the Seafest in Ballard over the weekend, promoting HEAL Africa and products made by women at the hospital. Thank you, Cynthia, Alison, Teresa, Chad and Kara! Thank you, Tammy of Market Traders, for hosting HEAL AfricaDance for Good - Seattle
Dance for Good: HEAL Africa featured at JUICE, The Crocodile Club, Seattle Staurday July 25…9 pm , $10 cover charge Doors open at 9 PM JUICE - a global dance party benefitting Young Professionals International and Iranian-American Community Alliance and HEAL Africa Address: 2200 2nd Ave Seattle...
| More...HIV test needs just a spot of blood
An HIV test using dried blood samples is fast, inexpensive, and could aid the testing and treatment of HIV-positive babies in the first year of life, scientists say.
| More...The Ugliest Epidemic
The Sydney Morning Herald- Frida Esperance's eyes narrow as she begins to recount, without hint of revulsion, the way her life was changed by the most terrible crimes. Something leaves her restless, however. In the silences between questions, it is clear she has an ear tuned to the noises outside her hut.
| More...Fresh Nightmares in Congo's Drive Against Rwandans
In a Washington Post article, villagers describe atrocities on both sides of conflict in another joint military operation to remove Rwandan rebels. According to Julien Attakla, who heads the U.N. human rights section in North Kivu province, "This operation is definitely doing more harm than good. The rebels have never been as dangerous to the population as they are now.”
| More...Food Prices Dramatically Increase
The economic crisis, inflation and instability have attributed to skyrocketing food prices in eastern D.R. Congo, making everday life increasingly difficult for the majority of the population.
| More...100 Houses Burned in Kanyabayonga
More than 100 houses were burned on June 9th and 10th by the FDLR in Kanyabayonga as reported by civil society group, CEREBA, based out of Goma. The UN peacekeeping troops, MONUC, and the Congolese army were in the area, but there is no evidence of these groups protecting civilians.
| More...Follow Us on Twitter!
Check us out on Twitter @HealAfrica Stay up to date with news from Democratic Republic of CongoLUMO and Congo Panel Discussion in New York
Raia Blum, a young woman from New Jersey, saw the LUMO documentary about a woman receiving treatment at the HEAL Africa hospital and said to herself, 'Lumo is my age and I could very well be in her position if I was in Congo." She felt so moved to help that she organized a film screening with the help of HEAL Africa.
| More...Letter From Program Manager, Lyn Lusi
Three of our staff members just returned from a trip to South Kivu, in the remote, inaccessible areas in the northern part of the province. It is a place that is forgotten by South Kivu, and not the responsibility of North Kivu. People are living there like their ancestors did. Most of the area is only accessible on foot.
| More...UN Security Council Delegation Visits HEAL Africa
On a two-day visit to D. R. Congo, the United Nations Security Council delegation chose to visit HEAL Africa to see the impact local organizations have amidst the insecurity of the region.
| More...Inter-Agency Delgation Evaluates FDLR Damage to Villages
Despite a respite in news coverage, the humanitarian situation in North Kivu continues to worsen. The FDLR have executed counter attacks crossing civilians in their paths.
| More...Fight War With Education
HEAL Africa salutes young musicians working to support education in Goma! Walking Spanish, The Late Chaps, One Eyed Rhino and All On Seven gave a special concert to benefit Goma Student Fund, which provides education through schools and scholarships in Goma, DR Congo.
| More...Congolese Government Minister Visits HEAL Africa
The Minister of Gender, Family, and Children in the Congolese central government, Madame Marie-Ange Lukiana, visited the HEAL Africa hospital in Goma to see the assistance given to women and children affected by the war.
| More...European Union Officials Visit HEAL Africa
A delegation from the European Union visited HEAL Africa’s hospital in Goma this week. This visit was focused around combating sexual violence and how the EU can support the Peace Program enacted in 2008 and the democratic process.
| More...HEAL Africa Hospital Functioning Amidst War
Dr. Christophe Kimona, General Surgeon and Chief of Staff describes a typical day at the HEAL Africa hospital in the middle of a war zone.
| More...Restarting After the War
Ndungo Sakoul, HEAL Africa's program manager for HIV AIDS interventions, describes the challenges they face beginning work again after the violence which engulfed the region for the past three months.
| More...HEAL Africa Staff on Ban Ki-moon Visit
You can be very proud of the team. The grounds were beautiful, but most importantly, everyone worked so well together. Dr. Likofata coordinated the event and did an excellent job. He was beside the Secretary General the entire time talking with him. Hat’s off to the staff of HEAL Africa. I was so proud of them.
| More...UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Visits HEAL Africa
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Alan Doss (Special UN Envoy to DR Congo), accompanied by their wives, visited the HEAL Africa hospital in Goma on February 28 to speak with staff and patients and urge Congo to seize the chance for peace.
| More...We Can Not Stop Our Work in Kayna
Joseph Ciza- HEAL Africa Public Health Expert
Whatever UNICEF says, we cannot stop our work in Kayna health zone, the needs are only growing ! I came back from there three days ago.
| More...HEAL Africa Still Working in Conflict Zone
HEAL Africa's HIV program manager, Ndungo Sakoul, recounts his latest experience traveling through heavily armed regions where other humanitarian aid organizations were not allowed to pass.
| More...Rwandan Troops in Congo
Members of the HEAL Africa staff are in the middle of the Rwandan troop surge and give commentary on the developing situation.
| More...Journal on the New Congo Peace Agreement
HEAL Africa program manager, Lyn Lusi, provides commentary on the latest peace agreement in Democratic Republic of Congo.
| More...Serving in the Line of Fire
HEAL Africa's newly formed media department speaks with Handicap International about their collaboration with the HEAL Africa hospital during times of intense conflict. You can listen to the interview here.
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