Democratic Republic of the Congo

General Referral Hospital of Panzi

The history of this maternity hospital, first established in 1998, mirrors the cycle of destruction, devastation, blind faith and painstaking rebuilding that has been taking place in many of this country’s war zones. Panzi Hospital aims to improve the quality of medical care in and around South Kivu, reduce maternal and infant deaths, provide free treatment for survivors of sexual violence, surgically repair women suffering from fistulas of the urogenital tract, and serve as a referral centre for other health centres.

SLF’s contribution focuses on HIV testing and care, psychosocial support and economic recovery for victims of multiple rapes and other forms of sexual violence. This project aims to reach victims in remote areas, far from urban centres, to support them with vocational training and information on living positively with HIV, as well as education and interventions to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (especially within 72 hours of rape, where post-exposure prophylaxis can be administered). With SLF support, Panzi also provides educational support for the schoolchildren of rape survivors and assists survivors to start income-generating activities to earn a livelihood.

HEAL Africa

HEAL Africa is a dedicated grassroots health and advocacy organization in the conflict-ridden eastern region of the DRC. HEAL Africa is committed to improve people’s health, to treat people holistically, and to educate health practitioners and provide services to victims of violence, widows, orphans and people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Founded by Congolese orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jo Lusi and wife Lyn Lusi, HEAL Africa aims to involve communities in addressing long-term health problems. HEAL works through all faith-based communities to respond to health needs, including medical and counselling support for survivors — mainly women — of sexual and gender-based violence in what has become the heart of the country’s ‘rape epidemic’. 

The organization’s pioneering ‘Mothers of the Nation’ works to improve the livelihoods of children orphaned by AIDS and  their grandmothers, as well as provide them with much-needed psychosocial support. HEAL Africa has also negotiated a form of health insurance for vulnerable households at local clinics, so that the children can receive regular care, including pediatric HIV treatment.

V-Day

There is probably no harder place in the world to be female these days than in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Enter V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation and sexual slavery. Despite a turbulent political situation in both North and South Kivu, V-Day is launching the City of Joy, a live-in community of survivors of sexual violence, many of whom received treatment at the nearby Panzi Hospital in Bukavu. The City of Joy is designed to give women-survivors of violence and budding activists a 24-hour safe-refuge where they can gather, talk, regain their health, mobilize themselves, learn new skills, enjoy each other’s company and turn pain to power.

The City of Joy is set to open in May 2011, and women residing on-site will be responsible for cleaning, cooking, gardening, and maintaining the property. They will also have access to an economic empowerment programme and to various media outlets – including radio programming that will help them to reach out to other women in the area and become powerful voices for change.

• Project descriptions last updated April 2011