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Key people: Paulin and Elizabeth
Jerry Field and Kevin Honore flew to Kamembe with the intention that Paulin and his wife Elizabeth would come across the border from Bukavu and spend two days and one night with us. It was disappointing not to be able to visit Bukavu as there is a lot to see there but for security reasons, we were not able to go there.
The night before flying we got a message from Paulin to say that he was in another part of the country and due to his flight from there being postponed, he would not be able to get back to meet us. On receipt of this note we decided to go anyway. It was going to be the least disruptive to our plans and who knows, maybe we would get to meet. So early on Wednesday morning we flew to Kamembe hopeful Paulin would be able to get to us. On Thursday he informed us that a helicopter was coming to get them, and he was going to try and get to us. However, he arrived at the DR Congo / Rwanda border at 3:06 pm and the border closed at 3!
He and Elizabeth came across the border early on Friday morning, the 2nd of August and we had an hour with them before we flew out on our way to Uganda. We quickly reviewed what he is doing and his dreams, but it was not long enough to learn much new.
BHW has supported several initiatives with Paulin, and we received a short, verbal update. These include:
- 4 water projects (DRC08b)
- An advocacy programme to prosecute unjust actions by people in authority towards women with small businesses in markets (DRC08)
- Foundations for Farming training (INT06)
- The care of 20 orphans - Rehema (DRC10)
- A small amount of personal support (DRC10a)
All of this is going on in the midst of ethnic tensions and rebel activity. Although the rebels have not yet come close to Bukavu, many people are leaving rural villages and drifting into the city for security reasons.
Paulin and Elizabeth are good people. They are very engaged in their community and their leadership in the community is being recognised by the government and the churches. They are often brought into discussions about issues and are recognized as change makers, e.g. Paulin’s involvement in the peace-making initiatives.
Paulin always has something new to propose. We do not need any new partners in this area, he will give us plenty of work to do.
- He is ready to do the next water project. Villages are hearing about the way they are doing these projects and the demand has increased. There are now more than 25 villages requesting water projects.
- With all the activities they are doing they have established an office. Paulin and two others work from there, but they have no funds to pay rent or for the other two to get any income. They want us to assist by establishing an income generating project to provide income. We are in discussion about what this might look like.
- Paulin’s wife Elizabeth is a nurse and has a significant ministry among the poor in their community. Nurses are like gods in the community and people come to her all the time, even at 2 am, for help. She is currently a coordinator in the Health Department. She has decided to organize free checking of diseases that women suffer from; sexual infections, breast and uterine cancer, basic health issues, hygiene and pregnancy complications, but she needs to have materials and medication as the government rarely has anything. We will get a proposal from them at some stage about this.
- He also wants to establish a clinic out in Chikera, where he was going when attacked, where the current water project is developing. I have said no for now as without him on the ground the chances of it being sustainable are very low.
- In the Rehema area he would like funds to purchase goats for their personal support. We are in discussion with him about this, the cost and other issues.
Current Issues and Challenges- For the situation in the areas that Paulin works where there is so much violence, abuse and terror being cause by militia groups
- That people would be able to emerge from poverty and gain some control of their lives
1) For recovery for Paulin from the recent attack by a militia group who stole his laptop and money
2) For the successful development of the water projects up until now
3) For the work with traumatized women and children that many would be able to be assisted and be set free from the impact of this
4) That the 20 children they care for would become resilient and that their goats would flourish
Paulin is a key change maker in the area, and it is a privilege to partner with him. He does all he does with no income; they live off Elizabeth’s salary as a nurse coordinator and it is a real struggle financially. He is not asking for money, but for help to grow his own income from goats and we are in discussion with him about this. He would like another 20 goats, but we will see what emerges from discussions.
Regarding funding, the current funding frequency is adequate for the water projects. Funds are due to be sent for the advocacy and trauma programmes at the end of September. I am checking if this is still required and will confirm.