What is HEAL Africa doing?

Many people wounded in the fighting are being healed at the HEAL Africa hospital in Goma. While at the hospital they have the opportunity to learn of God's love for them.

HEAL Africa has a particular care for the women who have been raped. Many have suffered horrendous physical injuries, including devastating fistulas. This can often leave them incontinent and unable to have children.

Over 1500 women with fistulas have been operated on at the HEAL Africa hospital, and restored to health.

In addition to physical healing, these women need help to overcome the psychological trauma of what has happened to them. HEAL Africa has a team of trained counsellors able to listen and give comfort and advice.

At the hospital, women can learn to read and write and other important skills. Through the Healing Arts programme they can learn to express themselves creatively, and also make beautiful handicrafts to provide a living when they are free to go home.

HEAL Africa can also offer micro-grants to help women and families re-establish a livelihood.

Many of the women who have been raped are rejected by their neighbours, families, even husbands. HEAL Africa works in communities to redress this wrong. Most women are able to return to their families, but will continue to receive help from some of HEAL Africa's band of 150 trained community counsellors.

For women for whom it is impossible to return home, HEAL Africa has set up a number of refuges, where they can be cared for, if need be, lifelong.

All the women affected are offered treatment for HIV+ and sexually transmitted infections (STI's).

In support of this programme, the founder of HEAL Africa, Dr. Jo Lusi, became a member of the Congolese Senate and, with other Christian members, influenced changes to the national Constitution.

These changes set out that life is sacred; that a woman's life is of equal value; and that sexual violence is a crime against humanity. These laws are in place. The ability of the authority to act against those who commit such crimes is presently very limited, but there are now fundamental laws which can in time bring justice.

HEAL Africa works extensively with local communities, bringing churches and other groups together in Nehemiah Committees. These then become the vector for local improvements.

Their aim is to bring understanding and reconciliation in communities, and to promote development. This movement involves the local community in helping itself. It is a vital step towards re-establishing communities without violence.