Support needed for Christian victims of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – can you help?
“Death seems all around us,” said “Naomie”, a Christian in DRC. She was speaking to Barnabas Aid’s regional coordinator about the increasing aggression from militant groups in her country.
Christians in eastern DRC are worn down by nearly three decades of violent attacks. Even the camps housing the displaced have suffered raids, leaving many dead.
Rebuilding the lives of Christian women
“You are dead from the inside because you cannot live freely. You cannot survive in the fear,” said Naomie.
Armed groups are often opportunistic and vicious in their treatment of women and girls whenever there are attacks. We are helping these Christian victims heal mentally, emotionally and spiritually through trauma counselling.
We are also providing them with sewing machines. This gives them a source of steady income to rebuild their lives, so they can support themselves and their families. An extra benefit is that keeping busy with tailoring helps to stop hurting minds from dwelling on painful memories.
Victims of violence are being given a means to becoming self-sufficient thanks to our generous supporters
Trauma counselling for survivors of violence
Sexual violence is a common weapon of war used by armed groups against women and girls.
In addition to the trauma counselling we are helping provide, we are empowering Christian victims of sexual violence in DRC by providing them with sewing machines. This gives them a source of steady income to rebuild their lives. They will be able to survive and support themselves and their families. An extra benefit is that keeping busy with tailoring helps to stop hurting minds from dwelling on painful memories.
“Our strength has only come in the love and knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ who we know has given us hope and we are persevering,” Naomie affirms that her faith in the Lord remains strong.
Can you help Christian victims of violence receive healing for the trauma they’ve endured?
Schooling for displaced Christian children
It’s estimated that 750,000 children have been uprooted from their lives and had their schooling interrupted due to displacement in DRC. Our project partners are building classrooms so that children can continue their education. Can you help make this possible?
How you can help
Prices in DRC are constantly rising, but please give what you can.
Trauma counselling
$50 could provide a set of trauma-counselling training materials (manual and text book) for one church leader.
Self-sufficiency
$200 could provide a sewing machine for a Christian victim of violence.
School building materials
$14.70 could provide one metal roofing sheet.
$57 could provide one window.
$147 could provide one truck of sand.
