HEAL Africa

A Song From Congo For Mother’s Day

Bridget Nolan — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:12:16 +0000

Every person on earth has come here through a mother. A mother’s love is universally treasured. This song was written and is performed by four brothers whose band is called MAISHA SOUL. They live in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They dedicated this song to all the mothers of the world, particularly to the mothers of the Democratic Republic of the. Congo. HEAL Africa is proud to offer this amazing and moving song to women everywhere.

Click here to listen: Your Angel Is Called

Below are the translated lyrics:

A baby, hovering in heaven before coming to earth, asks God:

“They told me that you’re sending me to earth tomorrow, but how will I be able to live there, as I’m so small and defenseless?”

God: “Among all the angels, I chose one especially for you. Your angel will wait for you and will take care of you!”

The child asks again: “But tell me, here in heaven, I don’t have to do anything but sing and laugh to be happy…”

God says: “Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. You will feel your angel’s love for you, and you will be very happy”.

The child asks: “How will I be able to understand when people talk to me if I don’t understand heir language?”

God says: “Your angel will speak to you the most beautiful and tender words you’ve ever heard before and with patience and care, your angel will teach you how to talk.”

The child: “And what should I do when I would like to talk with you?”

God: “Your angel will put your hands together and will show you how to pray.”

The child: “I’ve heard that on earth, there are mean men. Who will protect me?”

God: “Your angel will defend you, even at the risk of her own life.”

The child: “But I will be sad to not be able to see you anymore!”

God: “Your angel will talk to you about me and will show you how to come into my presence. And, I will always be there, beside you.”

At that moment it was very quiet in heaven, but voices from earth could be heard and the child asked, “God, if I must leave now, please tell me, what is the name of my angel?”

GOD: “Your angel is named “mama”.

“What is the name of my angel?
Your angel’s name is “mama”.

Patient Returning Home After Nine Year Hospitalization

Bridget Nolan — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:34:35 +0000

After 9 years at HEAL Africa, and twelve surgeries, Nyirana Mataiya is healthy and going home. She came to HEAL Africa with a complicated fistula, a tear in the vaginal or rectal wall resulting in incontinence. Nyirana’s fistula was the result of rape. In 2000, when she was 8 months pregnant, militias in the Masisi Mountains where she is from, captured her, held her hostage and five armed men sexually assaulted her. In addition to being left with a particularly severe fistula, she lost her baby as a result of the assault.

Nyirana arrived at HEAL Africa three years later. She had first returned home and tried to hide her misery and pain from her family and friends because she was so ashamed of what had happened. She felt desperate, certain there would never be a cure for her. When she first came to HEAL Africa, there were even doctors that doubted her especially complicated case could be repaired. While a patient at HEAL Africa, thanks to the compassion of doctors, counselors and other staff, hope began to return – slowly at first, but steadily.

Her first few surgeries were unsuccessful. There were some experienced western doctors that came through the hospital and three of them tried at various times to repair the damage, all unsuccessfully. Finally, after her tenth surgery, Nyirana started to feel improvement. “I saw a change after my operation in November, 2011” says the 35 year old woman. “In March, Dr. Christophe Kimona (of HEAL Africa) completed the twelfth operation, and I awoke from the anesthesia sure I was cured”. No one can fully understand the joy she felt in that moment.

During her stay at HEAL Africa and some of the various women’s centers, Nyirana experienced so much more than just medical treatment: “I have learned how to bake, to breed rabbits, goats, and ducks, and how to make clothes.” She now has the skills she needs to support herself and rebuild her life when she returns home.

Not surprisingly, she has a lot of fears and concerns about returning home. At the time she was raped, she had only been married for one year. In the years she’s been gone, her husband has married two more times. She also is worried she will no longer be accustomed to the difficult living conditions that come with living in the remote mountains. Nyirana still remembers her first impressions of HEAL Africa, “There was this beautiful panorama of Lake Kivu, and fresh air.” She has watched as HEAL Africa has grown during her stay – new buildings have popped up as the hospital has expanded to meet the ever increasing needs of patients and the surrounding community. She says that in all these years, only one thing has not changed at HEAL Africa, “The counselors who are welcoming the women are as caring as always”.

*Name changed for security reasons.

HEAL Africa’s Palliative Care Program

Bridget Nolan — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:13:14 +0000

Roger Basungeli is a very experienced community health worker. He has seen so much misery and pain during his seven years as the head of the Palliative Care program at HEAL Africa. Roger’s job involves caring for the dying and the chronically ill. He brings what little comfort he can to those who are suffering or near the end of their life. He is the father of five children, calm, considerate and quietly goes about his difficult work without complaint. He doesn’t like having to “pester people for help” as he puts it. But today, Roger is upset and nearing the end of his patience. The Palliative Care program has reached the end of its funding, and new sources have not yet been identified. It’s not the kind of program that’s easy to find funding for – there are no measurable results or success stories. Roger, a champion for his patients who are forgotten by most everyone else, says “They trusted us, but we have to give them up. Can you imagine what this means?” Roger and his fellow workers in the community of Goma, DR Congo, have run out of all of the supplies and medicines they use to alleviate the discomfort of those dying or suffering from HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases. “We do not even have a single pill to alleviate a headache”, he explains.

Roger continues to explain what has happened since their funding has come to a close. “Several thousand patients are suffering,” he says, “some may die even faster without our help”. The hardest part for him is when patients come to his office and ask why he can’t help them anymore. One woman asked “Are you no longer our friend?” He gave her money out of his own pocket, even though without funding for the program, even his small salary is in jeopardy. The other painful piece for him is when he visits patients who the program can no longer provide the medicines and support they need. One woman needed a catheter. Without it, she is ashamed to be seen by her children and will often go days without eating or drinking. Roger continues to visit her and her family and says “It makes me feel sick to see her suffering like that.”

Roger concludes by saying “With only a dollar or two per patient we could start our work again”.

We in the US office received the above story from our staff in Goma last week. We were able to send some emergency money from our general fund to help keep this program going for another few months. In addition, we are actively pursuing a more permanent source of funding for Roger and his team. If you would like to help support Roger and the Palliative Care program at HEAL Africa, you can visit our donation page here, and donate to “the Mercy Fund”. In the memo put “palliative care” and we’ll make sure the support is passed on. Many thanks for your partnership and compassion.

Today Only, May 2nd, Matching Funds Opportunity

Bridget Nolan — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:56:25 +0000

Today is “Give Big”, an annual event put on by the Seattle Foundation. For any donation you make to HEAL Africa today through there site at this link, they will stretch your funds further by adding their own. For more information, visit the “GIVE BIG” page.

The Economist Remembers Lyn Lusi

Bridget Nolan — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:03:27 +0000

This week’s issue of The Economist features a moving obituary remembering the life of HEAL Africa co-founder Lyn Lusi. Click here to read the full text, below is an excerpt:

“Like Jo (Lusi), she was meant to heal. “Isn’t that a beautiful word?” she would say. The letters stood for Health, Education, Action, Love. Healing meant not just of the body but of the whole person: mind, spirit and potential, bringing it back to work as God intended. And not just of the person but the whole community, teaching villagers to bind up wounds, support each other and provide for themselves. While her patients were in hospital she saw that they were taught to read and write, or to use a sewing machine, in order to go back skilled and confident as well as healed.”

Tribute to Lyn Lusi on the Floor of the US Senate

Bridget Nolan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:33:36 +0000

On Tuesday, March 20th, Senator Dick Durbin paid tribute to Lyn Lusi on the floor of the US Senate. Below is an excerpt from that speech. To watch the full speech given in the US Senate, click here.

“We just got word this morning that Lyn passed away from cancer. I wished to come to the floor and remember her and the great work she has done, which I am sure will be carried on by Jo her husband and all those who have been inspired by our visit.

To think that this woman would go to one of the poorest places on Earth and dedicate her life to help others should inspire every single one of us.

Lyn Lusi was like a mother to 400 employees of Heal Africa and to thousands and thousands of women, children, and even men, for whom Heal Africa was their only source of quality, professional medical care.

Her death this weekend due to cancer is a terrible loss for Goma, it is a terrible loss for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for Africa, and it is a terrible loss for every single one of us.

We need to make certain that what she gave her life to does not end but continues. We have to make certain her heroic efforts continue through her husband Jo and through all who have participated in making sure this lonely, tragic corner of the world is never forgotten.

I come to the floor to salute Lyn Lusi, her memory, her legacy, and her inspiration.”

HEAL Africa Mourns the Loss of Co-founder Lyn Lusi

Bridget Nolan — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:05:57 +0000

Lyn Lusi was the heart of HEAL Africa. Everybody called her “Mama.” She was like a mother to the 400 employees of HEAL Africa and to the thousands and thousands of women, children and men for whom HEAL Africa was and is providing care for. Lyn passed away in Goma, DR Congo, on the evening of March 17^th. One patient in HEAL Africa’s ward reflects the impact of losing her while confirming the legacy of compassion and generosity she leaves behind: “We are missing her so badly, but we know she is now in a better place. We will never ever forget what she did for us and for our country.”

Lyn first traveled from England to the DR Congo (formerly Zaire) in 1971, where she began to work as a teacher with the Baptist Missionary Society. In 1974, she fell in love and married a Congolese physician, Dr. Kasereka M. “Jo” Lusi. The couple’s combined skill in medicine, education, and administration led them to serve for 19 years in northeastern Congo’s Nyankunde Hospital as well as several associated schools. Even then, Jo and Lyn dedicated themselves to training young national doctors—a commitment that would lead them to found HEAL Africa in 2000. Having earned her Master’s in Human Resource Development and Training in 1999, Lyn began applying her formidable skills to develop HEAL Africa not only into a medical training center, but into a place capable of healing and supporting survivors of violence and rape.

Despite serious challenges and setbacks due to the region’s economic impoverishment, political destabilization, and natural disasters, HEAL Africa has thrived under her efforts in the last 12 years. This is not merely a testament to Lyn’s skill, but to her determination. In 2002, when a local volcano destroyed the organization’s original hospital, rebuilding efforts accomplished more than repairing the damage. Ultimately, Lyn’s thoughtful guidance helped the organization discover ways to grow stronger after the disaster. Lyn’s efforts in rebuilding the hospital stemmed from the same attitude she used to help many, many Congolese not only survive their traumas but rebuild their lives. Lyn’s model of service lives on and will continue to do so in HEAL Africa’s work. The thousands whose lives she has already touched through this organization will go on to affect thousands more, growing her positive influence long after her time of service has ended.

Lyn Lusi succumbed to cancer at the age of 62. She leaves behind her loving husband Jo, son Paluku and his wife and son, daughter Nadine, four sisters, and thousands of friends and colleagues who loved her. She will be laid to rest in Butembo, North Kivu in DR Congo, on Tuesday March 20^th. The Lusi family originally comes from this area, giving it special meaning as Lyn’s final return home. Some of her last words before her death were: “Tell them not to cry.” To the end she was thinking of how to comfort the sorrows of others. Her love and her full heart will carry on – forever.

In November 2011, Lyn was awarded the prestigious Opus Prize which recognizes unsung heroes of any faith tradition, anywhere in the world, solving today’s most persistent social problems. The funds from that award were placed in a trust to be used for specific projects Lyn was most passionate about; these projects will carry on her legacy of working with women and communities in eastern Congo. Funds given in memory of Lyn will be used according to the same guidelines. To give in honor of Lyn, click here for our give page and please indicate your gift is for the “Lyn Lusi Memorial Fund.”

To see the PBS Newshour tribute to Lyn Lusi, click here.

HEAL Africa Featured on the PBS Newshour

Bridget Nolan — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:54:25 +0000

On March 7, the eve of the International Day of Women, HEAL Africa was featured on the PBS Newshour. The award winning program is known for their 35 years of solid, reliable reporting that has made the PBS NewsHour one of the most trusted news programs in television. The HEAL Africa piece was an overview of the work of HEAL Africa and the organization’s response to the devastating violence caused in the ongoing conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also highlights the story of one patient, Anonciata, as she struggles to recover from a brutal attack by local militia. Click here to watch the piece. To read more about Anonciata, click here to view the accompanying article PBS reporter Fred De Sam Lazaro wrote.

International Day of Women March in Goma, DR Congo

Bridget Nolan — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:28:22 +0000

“Listen to women for a more democratic future in Congo!” With this slogan, female staff of HEAL Africa took part today in the International Day of Women march in the town of Goma in the east of DR Congo. HEAL Africa’s employees donated fabric for traditional clothes to female patients in the hospital. The traditional fabrics, named “pagne” in French, are required in order to take part in the march of women in Goma.

More than 500 women from non-governmental organizations and state-run institutions gathered to demand their rights. This year’s slogan for the International Day of Women in Congo is: “Support women in rural areas to guarantee peace, modern development and the reduction of poverty,”

HEAL Africa is present in more than 140 villages in the province of North Kivu to encourage women to stand up for their rights. HEAL Africa provides training in literacy, running a small business and more, that allows them to take more control over their own lives.

Getting ready to march

Preparing for the march

International Day of Women 2012

Bridget Nolan — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:30:28 +0000

Today, March 8, is the International Day of Women. Below, you will find a link to an interview with Dr. Eulalie Vindu who heads up the Children’s AIDS Program (CAP) at HEAL Africa. CAP provides treatment and support to children living with HIV. Currently, over 450 children are receiving antiretroviral treatment and many more are receiving other kinds of support. We sat down with Dr. Vindu to talk about her experience of being a professional woman in DR Congo. She recently became the mother of a baby girl. We asked her about her experiences of being female, a doctor, and a mother in DR Congo, as well as how she sees the future of DR Congo unfolding for her daughter, her young patients, and all the women of DR Congo.

At HEAL Africa, we hold at the core of all our programs the value of elevating the status of women in this part of the world, where all too often they are mistreated, abused, and over-looked. Here are just a few of the ways HEAL Africa has been able to provide service, care, and support to the women of DR Congo. We have:

Performed over 445 ob-gyn related surgeries
Conducted almost 35,000 pre-natal consultations in a part of the world with one of the highest maternal mortality rates
Provided assistance and healthcare to over 19,000 survivors of gender-based violence
Provided microloans to 150 grandmothers to start small businesses that help them as the sole-supporters of their grandchildren–over 215 children were registered for school as a result of this increase in income
Established 31 Women Centers and Safe Houses through our “Wamama Siameni” (Women Stand Up Together) program that provide thousands of women with a safe place, literacy classes, job training, and a chance for microloans

On this day to celebrate and champion women, would you consider making a special gift to HEAL Africa’s women’s programs? Dr. Vindu put it best when she said, “If we stand together we can improve. Especially through the work of our organization, HEAL Africa, the whole country could start down this road. But we still have a whole lot of work to do.” Click here to stand with the women of Congo.

On behalf of the HEAL Africa staff and the women of Congo, we thank you for your continuing support.

Click here to read Dr. Vindu’s interview.