Heal Africa USA, based in Monroe, WA, is the American fundraising organization for Heal Africa whose mission is to provide holistic care for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo through training health professionals, strengthening social activists and providing physical, spiritual and social healing.

Heal Africa was founded in 1994 with a vision to upgrade rural health care by re-training medical practitioners and to addressing the root causes of health problems by examining cultural values, attitudes and practices. In the eastern area of Congo where Heal Africa works, 70% of the families live on less than $25USD/month.

The Congo has been called the ‘worst humanitarian disaster since World War II’ by the International Rescue Committee. An estimated 3.9 million people have died due to the conflict since 1998.

Programs of Heal Africa focus on areas such as:

Gender-Based Violence: Heal My People - As of August 2006, over 4,200 violated women have been identified by the 40 counselors working in the Masisi Territory alone. The Heal My People program provides medical treatment and other aid to these women.

Healing Arts - Women traumatized by sexual violence are taught income producing skills such as sewing, jewelry making, lotion and soap making, and are also taught financial and business skills. Products are sold at the Heal Africa medical facilities and other sales campaigns of Heal Africa. The program also provides funds for children to attend school located inside the hospital.

Assistance for Widows and Orphans - Two programs address the needs of the widows and orphans.

HIV/AIDS - The Choose Life program provides AIDS education to all the faith communities.

Living Stones - A special agricultural project that introduces new techniques to improve food production.

Training Medical Professionals - Heal Africa’s medical center in Goma is the hospital of choice for good care in the region and acts as a referral center for the most difficult cases. The hospital also trains specialists in Family Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Radiology, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. No one is refused medical care at the hospital for lack of ability to pay.

Information on all their programs, the Congo situation or on donation opportunities are available on their website.