update June 17.....

This report is from Pastor Raha, Bukau, DRC

Together Building Africa has quickly responded positively to the need working together with Wezesha Foundation (a micro-finance program) to assist thousands of displaced families who have reached the city of Bukavu. Pastor Raha Muzibao and the team worked urgently on the following; 

1. Identification of displaced people: more than 400 hundred needy families children included were identified for immediate basic needs such as food, water, and bedsheets 
2. Registration of needy families; the most vulnerable families were registered and given a green card in order to access food distribution the next day
3. Procurement of food: it was supplied locally by local sellers  
4. Distributions: Our distributions were conducted on the church’s ground just in front. Distributions events were open to the public for transparency and fair distribution to all. 155 families got food packages. According to displaced testimonies, our food packages were so enough to feed a family for a month. 
5. Beneficiaries: 155 families, 1240 indirect beneficiaries received food with great success. 

The situation remains so bad and overwhelming, Goma’s displace families still present an urgent humanitarian need. So many individuals are needing food, water, shelter, and medical supplies.

displaced people lined up to receive aid;

June 15, report.....

 Reports coming from Congo;

• the situation remains overwhelmingly urgent
• So many needing food, water, shelter
• The packages given by TBA contain enough food for a family for a month
• They say that there is nowhere else to receive this kind of provision
• The people are crying with thanksgiving for these sustainable supplies 
• They are also expressing how amazed they are to see Canada responding! They don’t feel forgotten, when help has reached them “from so far away”!
• Those distributing say that serving these brothers and sisters has touched their hearts.
• Word from the victims …. “What else can we call a miracle than that of a brother coming through with help when you least expect it and need it the most?!?”
• “Truly people are in need, and a hand of compassion is a miracle to them!”
• “There is no equal to what TBA and donors have done! This is truly the love of God!”

We were sent this testimony of a surviving mother;

She was just home from the hospital recovering from a c-section. Three days later, the volcano erupted. Her home was right next to the volcano. She and her children ran away from Goma hoping to find safety in Sake, a village 24km from Goma. She was not able to make the trip, so she walked back to Goma. 

Her next attempt was to go to the Goma port, but they failed to find a boat with any room. She went back to the city. The next day, she made the journey again, again without success, and they returned to the city.

On the third trip to the port, she was able to board a boat together with the family and the newborn.

They made it to Bukavu, where our people identified them among the most urgently in need, and provided them with a life-sustaining package.