Esperance Home-Based Care
Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo
The DRC has become internationally known for its devastating civil conflicts, the most recent lasting since 1998 and claiming 4 million lives. While isolated fighting continues in the extreme Northeast region, the country is largely at peace and beginning the long process of gathering the broken pieces of a society shattered by war.
Project
Esperanza Home-Based Care operates in southern DRC, 210 km from the Zambian border, in Likasi. In relationship with local churches, 30 volunteers engage in home-based care, support orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), minister to street kids and provide desperately needed primary school education to OVCs through community schools. They currently serve 250 patients with home visits and reach 500 vulnerable children through their youth activities.
Expansion
Current expansion activities include obtaining transport and opening a clinic to service patients, initiating a health-related peer-education program for youth, rapidly expanding community schools in two new areas, and offering constructive recreation activities for community youth.