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Asili Breaks Barriers, Raises Expectations on Primary Healthcare

Posted on May 09, 2023

Asili repousse les barrières de l’accès aux soins de santé primaires By Pacom Bagula The Democratic Republic of Congo faces steep challenges in access to primary healthcare, and the province of South Kivu is no exception. Every year on April 7th, humanity celebrates World Health Day, this year, the 75th anniversary is calling for “Health […]

Meet the ECI Family: Dr. Ange

Posted on Nov 11, 2020

Quand le patient reviendra me dire «Docteur je me sens bien» - là je me sens la plus heureuse du monde et je suis fière.

Josée Ruhara teaches children about handwashing in March 2019. Photo: Gerry Kahashy

Mama Josée: What is Asili?

Posted on Aug 07, 2020

During the development of a new branding strategy for ECI, I was asked, What is Asili? As supervisor of water operations and steward of the Asili brand in the community, and someone originally from Kabare myself, I have some thoughts on this question.

Seven women wearinng white aprons model beautiful fabric facemasks.

How the women of Un Jour Nouveau turned $500 in fabric into $50,000 in sales — and saved countless lives

Posted on May 19, 2020

Months ago, Un Jour Nouveau (UJN), a local community organization in the Congo, was planning to use $500 in capital from ECI to strengthen their dressmaking program, a social enterprise that helps women in North Kivu uplift their communities with training in business, leadership and in-demand skills. UJN planned to use half the money to set up a display of students’ handmade clothing at the 2020 Women Of Congo exhibition, and to use the other $250 to buy fabric and supplies. As the pandemic overtook their plans, the women’s entrepreneurial agility transformed that $500 grant into infinitely more.

Boston Herald: Lessons from Eastern Congo

Posted on May 11, 2020

Living in conditions of fragility and scarcity is a profound misfortune, to be sure. But misfortune survived turns into enduring wisdom. At this moment of global crisis, I want to share some simple ideas I have learned from a lifetime of partnership with people who have been through the unimaginable and survived.

Responding to the pandemic the Asili way

Posted on May 01, 2020

Traditional humanitarian aid is built for emergencies, not for people. We know we can do better — because we do better every day. Even during the pandemic.

How to Survive a Disaster, Part 7: You can still have joy

Posted on Apr 29, 2020

In DRC and other difficult places, where suffering is unavoidable, people find reasons to live with their suffering. I have seen people find the most sustaining reasons for living when living is hardest to bear.