IPASC, DRC Newsletter, Winter 2014
Welcome to our new newsletter which we are sending to all our
supporters through email. We plan to publish this newsletter every three months.
Our website is www.ipasc.net where you can now easily reach the full version of
this newsletter and more updated and fresh news about how IPASC is carrying out
health activities in one of the poorest communities of the world. We work in North
– eastern, Democratic Republic of Congo.
AMUDA BABA Dieu Merci
Executive Director, IPASC
We hope to tell you about us, who we are, where we are, our history, life among
communities where you are giving support through our activities. We are sending
this newsletter to you because you have regularly received our Prayer requests.
IPASC FINAL EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT: « HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT» 2011-2014
After a successful evaluation by Ace Africa, a Kenyan NGO, which was recommended by the IPASC partners,
IPASC has committed itself to:
- Measure the results, indicators and impact of the project to the objectives and indicators set and
identify what changes, if any, are necessary for the new phase.
- Analyse the extent to which changes in the project are sustainable on targets
- Assess how gender and HIV and AIDS have been integrated into the project
- Assess whether the objectives and strategies of the project are appropriate to different contexts where
the project was implemented.
Findings showed that IPASC has brought real hope to the targeted communities.
Intense campaigns have had a notable effect on young people; there is increased awareness on prevention and
recognition of HIV and gender equality. Communities are becoming less vulnerable to the virus. Delivery of
equipment to Health Centres has made a difference to women attending for childbirth.
Although, the findings showed some gaps, it was very satisfying. After the presentation of the evaluation report
to staff members, all agreed to do better during the next phase.
TRAININGDEPARTMENT
491 students have qualified in Bunia and Aru since the training
programmes began. Three quarters of graduates ranked IPASC high as a
training establishment and would like to pursue further advanced
courses. For the graduates who offer community services, the majority
prefer work in preventive and promotion of community health activities.
This skilled competence is offered in students localities from midNovember for six months after which they return for the State
examinations.
Students in the library
NEEDS
Students travel up to 300 kilometres to attend the courses. Last year the Friends of IPASC Trust donated money
for a male dormitory in Aru (Female students have had one since the site was first developed).
On Bunia campus some students live in houses built for staff families. This
accommodation is not adequate and also results in staff members
struggling to pay high rent on houses in Bunia town.
Richard Williams, Chair of IPASC
Trust and his wife Ruth view the
new dormitory at Aru campus
Also the campus in Bunia is situated well outside the city centre; many
students who are not living at the campus need a bus for transportation. The
present small bus does not satisfactorily meet the need of transportation.
A bus of at least thirty places is required for the transportation of
students living with families in Bunia town.
IPASC, DRC Newsletter, Winter 2014
OPERATIONAL PROGRAMMES
THE SAFE MOTHERHOOD SERVICE:
IMPACT ON FISTULA CASES
Women with obstetric fistula suffer from discrimination and rejection by
their husbands, families and society. Through its awareness raising and
education programmes IPASC has identified many women with fistula and
has enabled them to have repair in various hospitals. Networks of women
IPASC transports women to hospital
who have received these benefits have become peer educators. In the last
phase of their project IPASC enabled 403 women to be repaired bringing
the total number overall to over 2000. After being repaired, fistula clients receive financial and
monetary support from the project. Some received business stocks, like paraffin, salt, and vegetable oil
while some were given bedding. This rehabilitative approach reduced the stigma of fistula,
empowered them economically, encouraged and motivated other women to come forward, educated
communities about the nature of the project. Two such women testified - “I am now very comfortable as a
woman and I can now run a business like any other woman”; “Because of this assistance from IPASC, I have no doubt in my mind
that some can accept to be (fistula patients) in order to receive assistance.”
MATERNAL HEALTH
IPASC has set up a programme of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) which
is impacting on the health of women during pregnancy. They are now able to
identify danger signs in pregnancy and seek appropriate care. This has reduced
obstetric emergencies that cause fistula or maternal or infant death. The number
of health workers trained in life saving skills has increased the number of normal
deliveries.
A testimony given by a mother is: “We now appreciate the importance of hospital
delivery because it is good for the health of the mother and child.”
Meeting of women’s insurance –
With the provision of delivery kits and
Child birth group
mattresses in selected health facilities, 71% of
the healthcare workers including nurses and midwives confidently reported
increased hygiene in delivery rooms and this has led to an increase in Health
Centre deliveries. Testimonies of community women and leaders – ‘’IPASC
provided just a simple mattress to our health facility. This simple donation and the
delivery kits have really changed lives for our women. They can now deliver in a
good environment and make sure our new borns are safe and healthy”; “We have
Distribution of mattresses and other
mobilized fellow women to join our group. We have saved money and so we are no
equipment to Health Centres
longer worried when any one of us
is due for deliveries. We can pay all the bills and support her a bit after delivery”
It is therefore clear that the resultant effect has instilled positive health seeking behaviour among women to
help reduce maternal and child mortalities. Various data collected showed that up to 97% of the women
interviewed reported reduced deaths related to pregnancies.
Ante Natal Care and Family Planning services utilization
An increased number of women are utilizing maternal and health services
especially ANC services. Women can now easily access health facilities for
check-ups, book for deliveries, confirm pregnancy, ensuring a healthy
pregnancy and appropriate care for complications.
In fact it is now commonly reported than on average each pregnant
woman would visit a health facility at least four times. 93% of women
reporting have adopted new practices such as delivering in health
facilities, practicing family planning and birth spacing.
Mrs. Gill Brown, (Trustee) visiting
newborns
IPASC, DRC Newsletter, Winter 2014
THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV& AIDS SERVICE
General Public Stigma & HIV/Aids Awareness and Attitude
Since the beginning of the Programme, IPASC has had in its charge 2882
People Living with HIV. Awareness raising campaigns have improved
knowledge about HIV – its prevention, detection and treatment. More people
recognize the dangers of unprotected sex, sharing of sharps, blood
transfusion, mother to child transmission and breast feeding. Common
symptoms are recognized. There are still some gaps in knowledge but most
people know HIV is not transmitted through sharing a glass of water or
mosquitoes; there is no cure for AIDS.
There has been an increase in the number of people coming for voluntary
testing.
Awareness activity in a market
with the Service to fight against
HIV&AIDS
THE HEALTH PROMOTION SERVICE
Health Promotion: awareness activities have increased the use of mosquito nets in households. 100% of
homes visited used nets, however correct usage was only 57% and 61% of users were adults while children
less than 5 years accounted for only 28%. Hence there is need for enhanced community education as this
scenario translates directly to more malaria infections and increases mortality rates. Support is needed for the
continuation of awareness raising activities to be carried out among communities.
Safe water & latrines building:
This project is achieving a high success rate. Evaluation determines that most people live
within a 30 minute walk of a water source, 78% use water purification tablets and 22% boil
the water. 65% said they washed hands after using the toilet and before meals. However
17% of households visited did not take precautions and this had caused water borne
diseases. Knowledge needs to be developed here to ensure that all community members
understand the need to treat water and change their behaviour in general cleanliness.
Fetching unsafe
water for a household
9 latrines have already been built at schools and
health centers for public use. It known to improve the
community’s health level and shortly, as is its custom,
an assessment of the situation will be led by the
IPASC Activities Monitoring Team.
More can be done with your support
Safe water source used
by a community
Community involved
in building a safe
water source
FUTURE PRAYER NEEDS:
Students struggle to pay fees due to the poverty of their parents. Even small sponsorship donations will halt
the decline in student admission, particularly women
A second house for PLWHIV in transit from distant locations is needed and would be built and maintained by
the Club of HIV people known as CARM.
HIV Department. A machine to measure immune levels in blood to
determine precise levels of ARV needed for treatment.
Give thanks for the visit of Flame International to Aru Diocese and to
IPASC. Teaching was given on the coming of sin on the earth, the power
of forgiveness and life under ancestors’ sins. We are very grateful to the
FLAME INTERNATIONAL Team
Flame International at IPASC