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HEAL Africa provides holistic care for the people of Democratic Republic of Congo
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HEAL Africa - Urgent Need - HIV AIDS funding cuts in 2010

I am writing today with a heavy heart. Both the Gender-based Violence (Heal My People) and the HIV Harm Reduction programs have depended heavily on grants from UNICEF, which has been a strong partner for seven years. On June 4, 2010, UNICEF announced that because of delayed or defaulted payments from United Nations member states, UNICEF was unable to pay out the grants promised.  UNICEF Congo Funding Cuts

The withdrawal of funding has nothing to do with the merit or status of the programs themselves. It is a direct consequence of the worldwide financial situation we are in. This comes at a time when these programs are delivering their strongest results in serving the most vulnerable groups in Eastern Congo. Both Heal My People and HIV Harm Reduction programs are cut to skeleton crews as of July.

That's the bad news. The good news is that your funding, and that of those you refer to HEAL Africa, goes directly to the programs and keeps them going! We are so thankful for those of you who have invested and continue to invest in HEAL Africa's innovative approaches to building local ownership. We have many trained counselors and activists who have built relationships with villagers over the years, bringing new information and training to isolated areas, making a difference!

Last month we brought you an interview with Mama Muliri, HEAL Africa's innovative leader of the Heal My People program. Transformation from victim to strong women of the community is what she does. Over 30,000 women have been guided on this path through counselors, wise women of the community trained by HEAL Africa.

In 2006 HEAL Africa began a clinic, thanks to the help of Global Strategies for HIV Prevention, for children with HIV, the only one of its kind in eastern Congo. It now follows more than seven hundred children, the largest of its kind in the world, I've been told. LINK to 10 June HIV.

June 30th will mark the 50th year of Congo's independence. One of five children won't live to their fifth birthday in Congo. HEAL Africa is trying to change that. Help us build a new future for Congo!

On June 4, 2010, UNICEF announced that because of delayed or defaulted payments from United Nations member states, UNICEF was unable to pay out the grants promised

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