SFCG Africa Team Lifts Spirits in the DRC

VOICES FROM THE FIELD
By Mike Jobbins
Mike is SFCG Program Officer in  Angola and Great Lakes Region

Yesterday I met Marie-Gorethe, a young journalist from Radio Rurale Kanyabayonga, a community station in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The radio station is located in the center of North Kivu province, an area that has been, and still is, among the most dangerous of the region.

Gorethe explained that on the way to our meeting (an 8 hour drive), her vehicle was attacked by the FDLR, the primarily Hutu based militia group. Some people were shot, fortunately no one was killed, and everything was stolen except for the radio’s official seal, which she had hidden during the attack.

Nonetheless she was in good spirits and thanked SFCG for the support we’ve shown to the radio station since it was pillaged a few years back. I asked what she thought about SFCG’s involvement in the region. She said “the radio programs that Search sends us help to ease the spirits of the population that is suffering.”

In my conversations with several people in North Kivu, one of the most common comments about our programs are that they “appaisent les esprits” –a small testament to the role of programs that discuss how to resolve conflicts peacefully, in an area  often prone to violence.

When I asked what additional support she would like from Search, rather than asking for money or equipment,  she simply requested we increase our programs in their area, and raise more awareness about violence against women.  I was pleased to say that Search will be accomplishing both ventures through forthcoming projects by SFCG Africa team.