<< The other surprising thing is to see that 5 other elder women have come to join the solidarity group installed here by HEAL Africa >>

Affirmation of Mr. Evariste TSHISHIBANJI, Vice President of the Alaline market’s sellers committee in Goma on Friday, June 14.

Speaking of the suffering that these people weakened by age and rejected by the community experience, the one in charge of the market believes that the Mothers of the Nation has been more than a relief to beneficiaries. For him, these old ladies were not known in his office and the market << they spent their days sweeping and cleaning the shelves of merchants to receive some two hundred Congolese francs per week >> (1$US represents 900 Congolese francs) and those who were able to, would carry luggage for traders but they were underpaid: 300 Congolese francs for a heavy load with a long distance to go.

Through the Mothers of the Nation project supported by Steven Lewis Foundation, HEAL Africa help hundreds of grandmothers in North Kivu province in three areas namely: Goma, Sake and Kayna.

It is a socio-economic support to elderly people oriented towards grandmothers caring for their orphaned grandchildren affected or infected by HIV/ AIDS. To support this work the Mothers of Nation project offers the beneficiaries small skills learning, income-generating activities and manages countless family conflicts due to inheritance. Discriminated against because of age and pauperism, these women receive assistance for their community reintegration (advocacy for tax exemption, protection against social abuse, …). << I am deeply touched by the smiles and laughter that elderly women have been able to find again >> said Mrs. Noella KATEMBO, Project coordinator for Mothers of the Nations. She also emphasizes the spirit of independence that characterizes the beneficiaries of these actions. These women have found a new birth : ”either I die today or tomorrow, I have no problem”, says Ms. Sanata BALINGENE, 70, adding that she has acquired the ability to ensure the education of her offspring and ensure their primary health care. Several other social action are visible in the daily life of these elderly women as a result of the awareness of their abilities. For example, in the village of Kayna many beneficiaries have been able to build houses (with tin roof and wooden walls, instead of mud houses) and buy some land.

In an online article the World Health Organization, WHO explains that abuse of elderlies is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, within a relationship supposed to be a relationship based on confidence, resulting in injury or mental distress to an older person who is being bullied. This type of violence is a violation of human rights and covers physical, sexual, psychological or moral, physical and financial abuse, abandonment, neglect, severe injury to dignity and the lack of respect.

Moreover, it is estimated between 4 and 6% the percentage of elderly people who have experienced some form of maltreatment at home. This abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and have long-term psychological consequences. This is a problem that is likely to increase given the rapidly aging population in many countries.

Between 1995 and 2025, the number of over 60 years in the world should at least double from 542 million to 1.2 billion.

For over 3 years the HEAL Africa Mothers of the Nations project has benefited to more than 800 old women caring for AIDS orphan children.