Colette, field worker at Mamas for Africa
As a field worker, I am the local representative of Mamas for Africa. I organise consultations. During our consultations, women who have been raped can register and then, together with our nurses and psychologists, I look for the right help ...
Helping in the villages of eastern Congo
“Let me introduce myself. My name is Colette Bakengda. But here they call me Maman Colette. I live and work in Bideka, north of Bukavu. I am a field worker at Mamas for Africa.
As a field worker, I am the local representative of Mamas for Africa. I organise consultations. During our consultations, women who have been raped can come forward and then, together with our nurses and psychologists, I look for the right help. I also organise meeting days and awareness campaigns.”
Aid network
"I can safely say that I am an important link in the Mamas for Africa aid network. This aid network consists of 13 reception centres spread across the countryside. Thanks to this network, we are able to provide care even in the smallest villages in eastern Congo. This network has been developed with the support of Mamas for Africa donors."
(Continue reading below the photo)
Sexual violence is used as a weapon of war
"The war rages on. The sound of weapons regularly breaks the typical rural silence around here. Men armed to the teeth sneak through the fields and across the red earth roads.
Sometimes these men invade our villages and demand water, food... or worse. Then they assault our girls and women. Because sexual violence is used as a weapon of war. It is a weapon that the rebels use to drive us away. To gain control of territory."
