DR Congo, HEAL Africa
transforming lives in DR Congo
Dr Jo Lusi with his wife Lyn, head up HEAL Africa (Health, Education, Community Action and Leadership), formerly known as DOCS.
HEAL Africa is distinctive from many charities: it's a small, grass-roots organisation that has low administrative overheads because it is led by locally-based program directors, is focused on treating people holistically, and has a primary focus of training and equipping new leaders for the long-term, rather than just solving short term needs.
HEAL Africa runs a wide variety of different programs, targeting social, physical and economic needs.
Heal My People is a program that provides medical treatment to the victims of gender-based violence. It identifies women and girls who have been raped or who have fistulae from difficult childbirth, and offers treatment so that ultimately they can enter society as productive and healed people.
HEALing Arts began in 2006 as a way to provide practical occupational skills to the women waiting for and healing from fistula surgery at HEAL Africa. Two seamstresses work with the women daily, teaching them to sew skirts, purses, bracelets, tablecloths, shirts and wallets. Another teacher trains the women to weave and carve with banana leaves, creating beautiful baskets and wall hangings. The items that the women create are sold to hospital personnel and visiting volunteers. The women are paid for each piece that they complete, giving them a way to generate income while at the hospital.
The Nehemiah Initiative brings different local communities together to help them reintegrate the most vulnerable populations: the disabled, widows, orphans, and victims of sexual violence.
The Choose Life program (known locally by its French name, Choisir la Vie ) has been working since 2000 to educate communities about HIV/AIDS by mobilising all the faith communities (Muslim, mainline Protestant, Pentecostal, Catholic, and Kimbanguist) against AIDS by teaching how to respond with compassion.
Living Stones (Mawe Hai) is a special agricultural branch of HEAL Africa. This innovative program for food security introduces new techniques to improve food production, and then shares findings with community groups in Goma and beyond.
Training Health Professionals - HEAL Africa's medical centre in Goma is well-recognised as a teaching hospital venue, providing ongoing training for healthcare professionals. It is the hospital of choice for good care in the region and acts as a referral centre for the most difficult cases.
Advocacy for peace in DR Congo - For more information on the situation in DR Congo, go to our Advocacy LUMO page and listen to or read a wide range of current media reports. Learn about how the arms get into DR Congo, who is mining for minerals, and where the money goes. Call your elected representatives and ask what plans Australia has for peace in DR Congo.
If you need gifts for others, support HEAL Africa by buying gifts designed by Melinda Kerr. All proceeds go to HEAL Africa's work.
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About CNEC Partners International
CNEC Partners International involves Australians in Extraordinary Partnerships with local Christian ministries in developing regions. Together we share and demonstrate God’s love in Christ - a love which transforms individuals and their communities.