News
Latest news, stories from the ground from HEAL Africa.
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.
| More...HEAL Staff Update- December 16
We would like to thank the all-mighty God who protects us among and during this painful situation that has paralyzed the everyday life of thousands of Congolese citizens in the East of the DRC since many years now, but particularly since October 2008. Families and individuals have deeply been affected by this overwhelming situation.
| More...November 8 Conflict Update
Our friends in Congo continue to live on the edge of chaos. It is Saturday morning on the US East coast. We just talked with Dr. Jo Lusi in Goma. It has been a quiet day in Goma. Yesterday there was a large panic after the CNDP (Nkunda’s army) shot rockets at MONUC (UN Peacekeeping troops) outside of Goma. The World Food Program was on the road to deliver food that many refugees were depending on for survival. MONUC told them to turn around after the rocket attack, leaving tens of thousands of people with nothing to eat.
| More...HEAL Africa Staff Journals
Read daily journal entries from HEAL Africa staff members about the current crisis.
| More...November 1 Update
Dr. Jo Lusi, Director of HEAL Africa and North Kivu governor, Julien Paluku, welcomed French foreign minister Bernard Koucher and UK foreign minister, David Miliband at the Goma airport. The two officials came to Goma to evaluate the security situation and "to carry a clear political message from...
| More...North Kivu Conflict Update
HEAL Africa works at the epicenter of a conflict that has raged for years, but has come to a climax in the last several days. Control for Goma currently rests in limbo between the national army (FARDC) in collaboration with the UN peacekeeping forces (MONUC) and the rebel group, CNDP, led by Laurent...
| More...Telling Their Stories
Change is part of life in Congo as it is everywhere else in the globe. HEAL Africa's goals are to train people in Congo, for Congo's future benefit. That began in the hospital, but extends to the community. One way in which HEAL Africa is helping is by providing the medium for Congolese people to tell their stories to the outside world.
| More...Hand in Hand: Gender Based Violence and HIV
Recognizing the correlation between gender-based violence and the transmission of HIV/AIDS among women and children, particularly those living in war zones where extreme violence and widespread rape are common, is a key component in developing successful and sustainable programs to effectively combat both overlapping crises. Lyn Lusi, one of the founders of HEAL Africa, will be speaking to these interrelated issues on the first day of meetings during the XVII International AIDS Conference on Sunday, August 3, 2008 in Mexico City.
| More...Headlines from DR Congo
Click here for current news coverage on DR CongoMay 21st: Past and Future
Remember the plane crash in Goma last month? With the headlines in China, Myanmar, Iraq, Afghanistan, it's hard to keep track of trouble in the world. But thanks for checking our website. Nearly a hundred victims were brought to the hospital -- from the plane itself and from the neighborhood into which it crashed.
| More...April 29th: Plane Crash Update
On April 15th, a plane operated by Hewa Bora Airlines crashed shortly after take-off from the airport in Goma, with much loss of life. HEAL Africa took the majority of the casualties and treated them for minor and major injuries.
| More...April 15th: HEAL Africa hospital full of patients from airline crash in Goma
Harper McConnell, volunteer worker at HEAL Africa, is right now trying to get more saline solution and tetanus vaccine for the many patients at HEAL AFRICA's hospital. The plane crash today in Goma has caused many casualties and has flooded HEAL Africa's hospital spaces.
| More...Post-Conflict Rebuilding
The Nehemiah Initiative continues to bear fruit, with over fifty committees now in active operation. Throughout August, new training is taking place across the region to provide encouragement and fresh leadership to the committees. Find out more......
| More...Wiring Up the Hospital
This week has seen the hospital enter a new electronic age! Members of the Upper Room community in Minnesota have been in Goma to install networking and a new server that will better support the needs of the hospital and program teams. Internet and email access is today available only through a very...
| More...In the News: March 2008
This week has seen increased attention on the situation in the Congo and the work of HEAL Africa, with a report from CNN on one woman's plight, along with interviews with Jo and Lyn Lusi in both Australia and the USA.
| More...February Update from Goma
A peace agreement was signed a week ago, yet new conflicts are breaking out and people continue to flee to refugee camps. Judy Anderson, Executive Director of the US fundraising office for HEAL Africa, writes from Goma to describe the current situation.
| More...George Clooney Visits HEAL Africa
Academy Award-winning movie star and Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney visited the hospital in Goma a couple of weeks ago.
| More...Rape of a Nation
Why is there war in DR Congo? This narrated photography montage by photojournalist Marcus Bleasdale explains the roots of the conflict and the impact that it's having on the daily lives of its population.
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