USAID, First Visitor Since COVID Travel Restrictions Began
Last Friday, Feb. 5, HEAL Africa welcomed the Deputy Mission Director of USAID in DRC, Alisa Mautner Cameron. The primary purpose of her visit was to check on the activities conducted by the TUSHINDE Project, in partnership with IMA World Health, and implemented by HEAL Africa.
The Tushinde Project uses community based methods to respond and prevent sexual and gender-based violence in our community. This five year initiative is part of USAID’s vision for Eastern Congo, where insecurity, conflict and deeply rooted gender inequities remain high.
The initiative, which began in November of 2017 and will in end October 2022 , aims to reduce victim stigma, improve access to services for sexual and gender based violence at the community level, and focuses on assisting communities who have demonstrated a a growing interest on positive gender roles.
Ms. Cameron also made time to visit other areas of the hospital.
3Dr. Jo and Virginie of HEAL Africa and Dr Bill Clemmer or MIA 
Entering HEAL Africa 
A little orientation 
With Dr. Serge, Medical Director at HA 
Fistula recovery room 
Watching the kids practice Capoeira 
Stopping by HEAL’s legal clinic 
Washing hands 
Temperature check 
Signing the records book 
Ann, HA General Assembly member, joins he group 
Saying hello to the students at Tuungane School 
Posing next to the women who show up at the frontlines for women suffering in the community 
Healing Arts
We love visitors who want to participate or simply be a witness to the work we do in the hospital and around. This visit was particularly special because it is the first of any official partners since March 2020, when borders were closed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.