fbpx

Blog

How to Survive a Disaster, Part 5: Be powerful when you can, and help others be powerful too

Posted on Apr 27, 2020

It isn’t just health care professionals who have the opportunity to be powerful in this moment of crisis. Around the world, essential workers are building their own power every time they make a delivery, clean a toilet, or cook a meal. And in doing their work, these essential workers — like Georges, Pierre, and Dr. Johny — are giving the rest of us the power we need to get through the pandemic.

News from ECI, April 2020

Posted on Apr 27, 2020

As executive director of ECI, it gives me great pride to see that our teams in Congo are as committed as ever to serve their own people. Our programs are resilient, our staff is the best in the world, and our mission to serve the Congolese people is stronger than ever.

How to Survive a Disaster, Part 4: In a crisis, you learn what business you’re in

Posted on Apr 26, 2020

In a crisis that requires handwashing, clean water is indispensable. In a crisis that demands quarantine and medical treatment, clinics and clinicians are indispensable. If our businesses were to survive to serve our communities after the pandemic, we had to serve our communities during it — cost what it might. If you are in the position to make choices about whom to help during this disaster, be aware of what you are doing. How you use the power you have right now will clarify what business you are in. 

How to Survive a Disaster, Part 3: Survival builds expertise

Posted on Apr 25, 2020

Misfortune survived turns into expertise. When ECI began ten years ago, our founders, Ben Affleck and Whitney Williams, decided to invest in exactly that kind of expertise. Rather than parachuting into eastern Congo to set up well-meaning “programs,” the way most international humanitarian organizations do, Ben and Whitney realized that Congolese people were already solving the challenges they faced — with greater skill, wisdom and ingenuity than foreigners ever could.

How to Survive a Disaster: Lessons from Eastern Congo

Posted on Apr 23, 2020

At this moment of global crisis, our executive wants to share some of the ideas he has learned from a lifetime of partnership with people who have been through the unimaginable and survived. At a time of confusion and despair, these ideas might help you find your way to clarity, and even hope. We're calling this series "How to Survive a Disaster." 

Questions et Réponses sur COVID-19

Posted on Apr 11, 2020

Élaboré pour les amis et les familles des personnes qui pourraient avoir COVID-19 Pourquoi la clinique Asili ne peut-elle pas prendre soin des personnes qui pourraient avoir COVID-19? Le virus qui cause la maladie COVID-19 est très contagieux. Il est facile pour le virus de se transmettre par voie aérienne. Les personnes qui peuvent avoir […]

Minneapolis Star Tribune: What people face daily across the world

Posted on Apr 08, 2020

As we trudge through this difficult time in our history, it is worth looking at the comparable realities of those of us in prosperous nations and those living in impoverished ones. In addition to gaining a sense of gratitude, we might be able to even glean a lesson or two.

Montana Standard: We have reason to be optimistic

Posted on Mar 30, 2020

I travel to Congo frequently and I was there during the recent Ebola outbreak, a challenge that is in many ways is precedent to what we face with coronavirus. Here’s a reason for optimism: The Congo just celebrated a major milestone with the passing of an entire month without a new case of Ebola. The Congolese can beat Ebola and we can do the same with coronavirus, especially if we pay close attention to the biggest lesson from that faraway epidemic. Citizens across Africa have beaten Ebola by beating an attitude of distrust in institutions, science and expertise.