Congo’s women have been portrayed as victims in an endless war. HEAL Africa is working to build and support new communities of women in Africa who are empowered socially, physically, spiritually, and economically to create a new social fabric in communities that are torn apart by conflict. They are becoming a force for change in a different future for the Congo. In a fragmented postwar society, with many women living on their own, the traditional roles and structures have changed. Women are experiencing new responsibilities and are now recognizing that they have assumed new roles. This has led some groups of women to challenge a system they may never before have questioned. It has brought women together who have suffered the same issues: widowhood, rape, the need to support their children alone. Now they are discovering the strength they have in working together.

HEAL Africa’s (www.healafrica.org) programs are created by and build upon Congolese savvy and skills, and help build capacity where needed, whether it’s a patient who comes to the hospital for fistula repair ( the vocational training that is provided for patients there), or to one of the womens’ houses, called “Wamama Simameni” or Women Stand Up Together. These community resource centers for women started as a safe house with a counselor where women could stay safely when travelling to or from medical care. They have become centers where any woman in the village can come and learn new skills—sewing, baking, soap-making, weaving and small business essentials as well as literacy and numeracy. They provide the wisdom and safety of a listening ear and a counselor who can refer them to appropriate medical treatment when needed. The network of these houses contributes to the real goal of healing, of restoring community and re-building the fabric of Congolese society. Women in eastern Congo, like women around the world, are interested in fashion and style—as well as making sure their children are healthy and can go to school. Fifteen years of war have not broken their resilient spirits. They desire peace and long for a more beautiful world. HEAL Africa welcomes the hand up to help them. They are already doing as much as they can! Bel Esprit is committed to supporting this growth through fund-raising, business services and consulting, helping these women develop a sustainable future for themselves, their families and their communities.

For more information about the HEAL Africa programs, and to make a financial contribution to their work, please visit the HEAL Africa website by clicking on the logo.