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Democratic Republic of the Congo

Contact Information

Phone: +243997012428

Email: drc@hopewalks.org

46%

Clubfoot Population Enrolled

11

Clinics

9,087

Enrolled Since the Program Began

4,264

Annual Clubfoot Births

Country Staff

Bernard Uzabakiriho

Program Manager

Before starting with Hope Walks in 2014, Bernard Uzabakiriho worked at the Butaro District Hospital in Rwanda. Now, he serves as a program manager with Hope Walks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has a diploma in physiotherapy from the University of Rwanda, a bachelor’s degree in public health from the Université Saint Joseph in Goma, and a master’s degree in public health from Bugema University in Kampala, Uganda. 

Bernard finds joy in his work with Hope Walks because he gets to see people’s health status being improved first-hand. He wants to continue to do this work to improve the well-being of children and also see spiritual healing of families. Other than working with Hope Walks, he enjoys jogging, cycling, and spending time with his wife and three sons.

Katenge Kakule

Clinical Supervisor

Joining the Hope Walks team in 2011, Katenge works as a clinical supervisor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He feels very happy working with Hope Walks because he knows that children will be able to walk free from clubfoot through his work. Joseph has a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from the Université Catholique de Louvain Site de Louvain la Neuve/Bruxelles in Belgium. When he is not working, Joseph enjoys spending time with family and teaching. 

Vincent Sumu Sikulimwenge

Clinical Supervisor

Passion for the vulnerable and serving the needy to bring smiles back to parents who gave birth to children with clubfoot is what drives Vincent to his work. Vincent joined the Hope Walks team in 2021 serving as a counseling coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Before joining Hope Walks, Vincent worked for the Living Peace Institute. He holds a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from the Institut Superieur du Lac in Goma, DRC. In his leisure time, Vincent enjoys watching football, playing with his children, and meeting new people.

Clinic List

  • HEAL Africa
  • Hôpital Général de Référence de Kayna 
  • Centre pour Handicapés de Kindu
  • Centre de Rééducation et Réhabilitation Physique Béthanie d’Uvira
  • Centre pour Handicapés Heri Kwetu de Bukavu 
  • Centre pour Handicapés Heshima Letu de Butembo
  • Centre pour Handicapés Heshima Letu de Beni
  • Centre pour Handicapés de Oicha
  • Centre pour Handicapés de Mangina
  • Centre de Réabilitation et d’Orthopédie de Bunia
  • Hôpital Général de Référence de Mambowa
About the Country

The third largest country in Africa, it boasts a wide variety of biodiversity and more than 200 languages are spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is rich in natural resources, which have caused strife over the years. Throughout the 19th century, more than 10 million Congolese were killed and many more were enslaved by King Leopold II of Belgium in order to collect the resources. Then, in the 1990s, large-scale conflict and several civil wars were caused by the same natural resources. 

Since the beginning of the 21st century, there has been less unrest throughout the country. However, there are still many lingering effects of the years of war in the nation. Despite the difficult history of the DRC, the name of Christ is widely known throughout the nation, and 90% of Congolese call themselves Christians.   

Prayer Needs

We pray that peace would continue to be restored to the DRC, and that its government would seek the good of the people. Additionally, we continue to pray for safety for our Hope Walks staff in the DRC as they serve the children and their families.