Gender Equality Congo, Democratic Republic of the Project #3923

Save a Mom's Life in the Congo

by International Medical Corps

Project Report | Jun 1, 2012
Reflections from the Congo

By Josh Harris | Communications Officer

Josh and Chance in Congo, 2012

South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo feels like one of the greenest places on earth.

I’m writing to you after a lengthy trip through Congo visiting International Medical Corps’ work in this war-torn country. While traveling, I was struck by the stark contrast: green rolling hills for miles and yet malnutrition is a common problem for the people of South Kivu. At our health centers, doctors and nurses told me of the steady stream of emaciated children.

I heard the same frustration repeated over and over among the Congolese I met: the potential and desire for positive change versus the continuing insecurity after decades of conflict.

Chance, a student volunteer at International Medical Corps’ office in Bunyakiri, is fluent in Swahili, French and English and will soon graduate from college. Yet despite representing Congo’s promising tomorrow, he asked me: “How can I plan a future, when I know that my family is not secure?”

At the same time, I also had the opportunity to meet some incredible people striving to overcome these challenges and build a better tomorrow for Congo. Like Josiane, who specializes in helping communities combat gender-based violence. She says she knows her work is making a difference because “we see women coming here from further and further away, so I know that our messages are getting out into the community.” She keeps working every day because she believes that in 5 years, women in her community will have more rights.

Or the police officers in Bukavu, determined to break the cycle of violence, who brought their wives and children to our training to learn more about women’s rights and gender-based violence. The program works with police officers, as well as soldiers, religious leaders, lawyers, judges and teachers to turn community leaders into advocates for change.

So often people view Congo as a failed state, beyond hope. Yet to do so would ignore this country’s greatest asset -- the determination of the Congolese people to secure a brighter future for their country.

To learn more about International Medical Corps’ efforts in the Congo since 1999, and some of our inspiring staff working to create lasting change within their own communities, visit our hub page.

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May 10, 2012
A Message from Mother and Actress Jessica Capshaw

By Jessica Capshaw | International Medical Corps' Supporter

Jessica Capshaw, Actress & Supporter

I have so much to celebrate this Mother's day. I am so grateful to my husband, Christopher and my two children, Luke and Eve (and our third baby who is on the way) for making me a Mom. Being a Mom has been my most important job to date and I take my job very seriously and I have a lot of fun doing it.

At the same time, I realize how lucky I am to have something that too many mothers don't have: access to medical care that supports their health and that of their families. Maternal health remains a staggering challenge, particularly in the developing world. Globally, a woman dies from complications in childbirth every minute.

On "Grey's Anatomy," I play Arizona Robbins, a pediatric surgeon fiercely determined to give mothers the chance to see their children grow up healthy. In the real world, I see this dedication in the courageous and committed health professionals who work for International Medical Corps. They are the ones saving lives in some of the world's toughest environments – places like Darfur, Afghanistan, the Congo and Haiti. They are making motherhood the blessing that it should be, instead of the health risk that it can be.

International Medical Corps has made women and children's health and well-being high priorities in its work since its founding in 1984, recognizing this as the key to promoting health and building self-reliant communities in the most vulnerable and underserved places. On the frontlines of disaster and despair, International Medical Corps provides lifesaving antenatal and postnatal care, trains midwives and traditional birth attendants, improves access to obstetric equipment and health facilities, and educates health workers as well as parents on healthy nutrition and childrearing practices. Their teams work closely with local communities to promote safe motherhood and childcare in a sustainable way, ultimately strengthening the resilience of families, communities and nations.

On a day traditionally reserved for celebrating mothers I would like to also celebrate the work that International Medical Corps is doing for Mothers - helping give so many women and children around the world the futures they deserve.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Jessica Capshaw

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May 7, 2012
Update from the Democratic Republic of Congo

By Callie Brandon Spaide | Project Leader

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