100s of IDPs in the DRC benefit from workshops enabled by MAF

Class of Jan 2024 – these graduates have learnt to read, write and/or sew (credit MAF US)

In the run up to the presidential elections in December, hundreds of thousands of people fled conflict within the DRC – a country which already hosts the largest number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Africa. Since 2017, MAF’s been supporting IDP camps in eastern DRC by enabling trauma counselling, peace and reconciliation workshops and dressmaking and literacy classes. The latest cohort graduated on 9 January

Since Félix Tshisekedi won the DRC’s presidential elections in December, violence and insecurity have continued to plague the country.

East DRC is one of the most dangerous places in the world for kids (credit: L Malabuyo)

In the eastern province of North Kivu alone, nearly one million people have been displaced since October, bringing the DRC’s total IDP population to 6.9 million (source: UN’s International Organisation for Migration). The UN has called it ‘one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.’

Years of conflict have displaced over 1.6 million people in Ituri Province, eastern DRC (source: UN’s IOM). Its capital Bunia is home to three IDP camps.

MAF serves people living in the 3 Bunia IDP camps (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

MAF’s eastern DRC base is located in Bunia where MAF regularly serves these camps and also enables life-changing work across the wider region.

MAF helps enemies to become friends

‘When I saw Nicholas and Joel become friends again, I couldn’t believe it. None of this healing would have taken place if it wasn’t for MAF. MAF really is saving lives!’

Daniel Kasereka, founder of Oeil Restoration Ministries & MAF partner

Daniel Kasereka is the founder of Oeil Restoration Ministries, which facilitates peace and reconciliation workshops for survivors of war and conflict in north-eastern DRC.

Daniel wouldn’t be able to do his job without MAF. MAF enables Daniel and his team to regularly travel to places, which are either too difficult or too dangerous to reach by road.

After a swift, safe flight instead of hours of exhausting driving on potholed-riddled roads potentially controlled by armed gangs, the team arrives refreshed and ready to transform lives with their message of hope and forgiveness.

MAF bypasses potholed roads and roaming armed gangs (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

Thanks to their partnership with MAF, Oeil Restoration Ministries has been able to mediate and reconcile thousands of people like Nicolas and Joel.

Nicolas and Joel used to be friends, but in 2001, they became enemies when their tribal leaders forced them to take up arms against each other.

Both did terrible things, which destroyed their relationship explains Joel:

‘Nicholas and I knew each other very well, but because of that conflict, our relationship broke down. Friends became enemies. The flighting went on for nearly five years.’

Daniel was determined to broker lasting peace between the former friends. God was at work says Joel:

‘During the workshops, I felt the power of God, and that helped me to build up the courage to admit everything that I had done.’

Nicholas’ heart was changed too:

‘The more time I spent at those workshops, the more I really felt like my heart was set free from hatred, bitterness and anger. Since Joel knelt down and asked for forgiveness, we have become best friends and ministry partners.’

MAF enables learning new skills

Across Bunia’s three IDP camps, MAF is funding a range of projects, which are bringing hope and healing to women wrecked by war:

Sheryl Strietzel trains counsellors across the camps to help women process unresolved trauma:

‘Many are in shock and feel hopeless, but when they have counsellors to talk to and are encouraged, they are able to process their grief and have some hope.

‘I equip counsellors to know how to respond to questions and how to provide help. They just need to understand themselves better so that they’re able to draw on their knowledge and wisdom to be able to help everyone who comes to them. The needs can be spiritual, physical or emotional.’

Counsellor Marie has really benefited from Sheryl’s training:

‘MAF has given me the courage to help others. I’m very happy with the monthly meetings, which give me lots of advice about how to understand and work better with the vulnerable. People ask me, “What do you do?” I say, “I’m a MAF counsellor.” I’m really making a difference.’

Marie, MAF trained counsellor for Bunia’s IDP camps

This elated woman can now read and write in Swahili (credit Donna Jacobsson)

Many DRC women were denied access to education as children (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

Swahili literacy teachers are teaching women to read and write. Due to decades of conflict and upheaval, constant disruption robbed many girls of their education. Now 150 women are finally mastering their own language on a six-month course in a safe space.

Teacher Ruth says literacy will help ease women’s trauma (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

Learning to read and write gives the women a new focus (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

Swahili teacher Ruth – who is displaced herself – knows only too well how valuable literacy is in life:

‘I’m teaching women to read and write who never had a chance to attend school. I’m teaching them to read the Bible too, so that they will be happier. It relieves some of their trauma. MAF has given a great gift to the women here!’

Teacher Ruth: ‘MAF has given a great gift to the women here!’ (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

Textile teachers are equipping women with dressmaking and basket weaving skills so that they can boost their family’s income by selling their handmade products.

These women are learning how to make beautiful clothes to sell (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

Activities like dressmaking helps boost poor mental health (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

Sewing teacher Nadjole believes that actively learning a meaningful skill helps boost poor mental health:

‘Activity is really important. These women are traumatised. If they stay at home, they won’t have anything to do, and it will be hard for them to deal with life. But when they have something to do, it helps them deal with the trauma.

‘When they come to class, they feel at home and relaxed. If someone doesn’t come to class, I will go and look for them and ask them why they haven’t come to class. It will help them.’

These women are learning how to make beautiful clothes to sell (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

A student benefits from a dressmaking course funded by MAF (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

Finding faith again

Learning to forgive and mastering new skills are important steps in the healing process, but for others it’s reconnecting with their faith, which has been lost in the trauma of war.

Pastor Bisoke helps people to reconnect with their faith (credit: Lem Malabuyo)

MAF chaplain and course coordinator Pastor Bisoke explains:

‘Many people who come here are so traumatised by war that they have lost their faith. They say, “We went to church, but the rebels came and killed us. We fled to an IDP camp, but still they killed us.” They say that there is no God. Even pastors and evangelists have gone through so much difficulty.

‘But now they’re here, we are trying to help them. We listen to their problems and give them time to explain what’s inside of them. We share the word of God, and some come back to Jesus. They give their life to Jesus even though they have lost everything.

‘The word of God is helping them. Now they’re praying and trying to help others. I can see so much improvement. They’re saying, “MAF has helped me and I know Jesus.” Many have found their faith again. MAF is helping these people physically and spiritually.’

MAF brings hope to people affected by war in eastern DRC (credit: Lem Malabuyo)