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HEAL Africa provides holistic care for the people of Democratic Republic of Congo
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HEAL Africa Press Release

HEAL Africa co-founder Lyn Lusi announced as winner of prestigious Opus Prize


Annual Faith-based Humanitarian Award recognizes unsung heroes who are conquering the world’s most persistent social problems. Lusi announced as 2011 recipient.

Seattle, Oct. 27, 2011– The Opus Prize Foundation announced today that HEAL Africa co-founder Lyn Lusi is the winner of the 2011 Opus Prize. The Opus Prize is given annually to recognize unsung heroes of any faith tradition, anywhere in the world, solving today’s most persistent social problems. The prize will be awarded at a ceremony on the Loyola Marymount University campus at 7 p.m. Nov. 2. The Opus Prize Foundation in association with Loyola Marymount University will honor three faith-based humanitarians at the ceremonies by awarding grants totaling $1.2 million to their organizations, which have worked to solve persistent social problems in their communities. Lyn Lusi will receive the Opus Prize, an award of $1 million and nominees Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries and Rita Rodrigues Pessoa, R.S.H.M. of The Association of Small Rural Producers of Jacare will be awarded $100,000 each.

Lyn Lusi and her husband Dr. Kasereka (Jo) Lusi founded HEAL Africa together in 2000.

Lyn Lusi and her husband Dr. Kasereka (Jo) Lusi founded HEAL Africa together in 2000. HEAL Africa is a Congolese-led organization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, working to eradicate poor health, poverty and the oppression of women. To ensure effective assistance, HEAL Africa operates an innovative model for community-based health that works hand-in-hand with local communities and their cultures. Together, with communities, HEAL Africa is creating a healthier, safer and brighter future for the people of the DRC.

This humanitarian award is one of the world’s largest faith-based, humanitarian prizes for social innovation. Opus Prize winners combine an entrepreneurial spirit with an abiding faith to combat seemingly intractable global issues like poverty, illiteracy, hunger, disease, and injustice. Opus Prize winners demonstrate that change is possible, empowering and inspiring all of us.

Lyn Lusi
Lyn Lusi is the co-founder and program director of HEAL Africa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, working to transform individuals and communities shattered by the atrocities and gender violence from the war that has been raging for more than 15 years. Lyn and her husband, Dr. Jo Lusi founded HEAL Africa in 2000. HEAL Africa has performed more than 1,500 post-rape fistula repair surgeries, provided primary care and counseling to almost 40,000 women, established 31 Safe Houses, trained over 90,000 community activists in HIV/AIDS prevention and care, and funded more than 1,500 micro grants for families. HEAL Africa’s medical, social and economic initiatives cultivate peace and development and are grounded in faith, both Lyn’s and the community’s. Lyn Lusi’s belief that each person is created in God’s image has informed her work. The work of HEAL Africa has been to provide training and encouragement for leaders and villagers, based on the belief that lasting change cannot be imposed but comes from within communities themselves

 

The Opus Prize Foundation
The Opus Prize Foundation is a private, philanthropic organization. The foundation honors individuals and their organizations that are largely unsung while providing exceptional and unique responses to difficult social problems such as poverty, illiteracy, hunger, disease and injustice in the world’s poorest communities. Beyond supporting the humanitarian efforts, the Opus Prize also seeks to inspire people to pursue service to others. The goal is to provide funds that advance the winner’s work to a new level of impact, provide greater visibility and attract other supporters.

Contact: Bridget Nolan
Director of Communications and Partnership Development
(510) 499-0089 phone: bridget@healafrica.org

More details can be found at www.healafrica.org and www.opusprize.org.

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