DRC Project Overview

CONTEXT: Since the war began in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1994, many people were forced to watch as their relatives, siblings, parents and spouses were tortured, raped, slaughtered or abducted by rebel forces. The guerillas burned homes and entire villages, forcing millions of Congolese to flee into the jungle.

NEED: Today, many Congolese remain displaced in the country or live as refugees abroad. Many women and young girls who became pregnant through rape are left to care for unwanted children some of whom are HIV positive. Other women remain physically handicapped for the rest of their lives, suffering with indignities and disease. Rape survivors, often rejected by spouses and family members, live with unimaginable stigma. Church leaders are desperate to help the traumatized people in their communities, but need training and materials to address the overwhelming number of suffering people.

SOLUTION: American Bible Society (ABS), in partnership with the Bible Society of DRC, local churches, and other faith-based organizations will work with church leaders to help traumatized people in Goma, Eastern DRC. It will use Scripture-based trauma healing counseling programs to help survivors recover physically, emotionally and spiritually.