Where we work

Democratic Republic of Congo

There are currently three projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Project 1

Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Description: Community Based Rehabilitation
Partner: COPH

Summary:

A community based programme drawing together the expertise and capability of 14 local organisations in Goma, Eastern DRC. These organisations collaborate to provide surgery, physiotherapy, and aftercare medical treatment for people with disabilities. As well as direct medical services, this programme focuses on raising community awareness about the rights, challenges and vulnerability of people with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on integrating children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities into formal education. 

Through increased awareness, training and education, CBMs approach is to mobilise community groups. Once equipped, these groups then identify people with disabilities and are able to formulate an appropriate strategy to improve the lives of this vulnerable group of people.

List of Services:

  • Primary and Secondary education for children with disabilities
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Cataract/Glaucoma Surgery
  • General eye care and provision of spectacles 
  • Epilepsy treatment
  • Physiotherapy 
  • Provision of mobility aids
  • Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) Surgery 
  • Mental Health treatment
  • Treatment of Burns
  • Cleft Lip/Palate surgery

Project 2

Location: Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo
Description: Community Based Rehabilitation
Partner: SYSI 

Summary:

Bunia town in North Eastern DRC has suffered heavily throughout the last decade from civil war and ethnic clashes. This violence escalated further in September 2008, and has forced more than 750,000 people to leave their homes. Continued violence increases the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst People with Disabilities. 

Five local organisations are working together in Bunia under one umbrella to provide holistic and comprehensive care for people with disabilities. This programme reaches deep into local communities within and outside of Bunia, identifying those with disabilities, providing surgery, assistive aids, aftercare, vocational training, primary education. Mobile outreach units travel deep into the rainforest to treat and provide economic assistance to the Pygmy community. Environmental sustainability is nurtured throughout and used as a means of income-generation, food production, and education.

List of Services:

  • Primary and Secondary education
  • Tree planting by People with Disabilities 
  • Provision of mobile Irrigation Pumps
  • Vocational training for people with disabilities 
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Cataracts/Glaucoma Surgery
  • General eye care and provision of spectacles 
  • Epilepsy treatment
  • Physiotherapy 
  • Provision of mobility aids
  • Animal Breeding amongst the Pygmy community
  • Agricultural activities amongst the Pygmy community

Project 3

Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Description: HIV/AIDS - ‘Choose Life!’
Partner: HEAL Africa  

Summary:

People with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups worldwide. Thus, they are more likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS. This is even more true in times of war, when rape is used a weapon of terror. 

CBM partners in the North Kivu region of Eastern DRC are fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by raising awareness in innumerable communities across the region. Aftercare is provided for those suffering from the illness and their families. Often there is stigma against those living with the virus, making many people unemployable and excommunicated from their local communities. CBM is working with these people so that they can recover their livelihoods and become integrated back into society.

List of Services:

  • Train community leaders and people with disabilities to enable implement their own HIV programmes
  • Increase awareness about HIV/AIDS
  • Micro finance training for families of beneficiaries
  • Micro finance support for orphans of HIV/AIDS
  • Micro finance support for families of children with disabilities
  • Radio broadcasts highlighting the link between HIV/AIDS and disability