Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa

       “We went in military convoy, from Rutshuru to Kanyabayonga. We carried a Governor’s Delegate and a representative from CNR (National Commission for Refugees) up to Buleusa Refugee Camp. We were not allowed to spend the night in Buleusa as it is a red zone (highest level of security). Instead we slept in nearby Kirumba and carried on with our journey the next day. 

       “We assisted vulnerable women who gave birth in the refugee camp and also malnourished children.

       “… we involved … the Representative of Ministry of Social Affairs & Social Reintegration. At the local community, the Governor’s Delegate was also involved…. We visited 50 homes of the most vulnerable people in the camp: widows, disabled and elderly. Their names are handwritten on the list attached. 

       “OCHA (Coordination for Humanitarian Organization Agency) assessed Buleusa Refugee Camp needs and felt they were too high. We planned to buy ‘tarp’ shelters, however, the government’s plan was only to feed and clothe them. Buleusa Refugee Camp is a cold place. The Governor’s Delegate said there are 47 refugee camps in all Congo; totaling 188.000. 

Circle of children sitting on ground eating

[Note: supplies and food were made possible by two 40 ft containers shipped to Congo, fall 2015. Food was donated by Heaven Sent Ministries, Princeton, WV (our partner). We are indebted to Calvary Community Church for providing the storing/packing facility and for contributing to shipping fees; along with many others including YOU.]

Bush Telegraph Missions

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       “The plan was to distribute supplies and food to 609 households. The UN added more displaced people as numbers increased. Currently it has reached 700 in Buleusa. They came from 9 villages: Bukumbirwa, Buleusa, Bushimba, Kalonge, Kashungano, Kishondja, Misambo, Misinga and Rusamambo.

Convoy

       “Buleusa Camp has 2,508 displaced people of which 19 women gave birth in June. The number of women who delivered babies doubled at the beginning of August by 40. Thus, the government has not found a safe place to take these people. For this reason we could not buy shelters as they are protected by UN military and Congo troops. Community leaders are looking for a way to solve this problem.

       “CAAP and EDEN Church distributed all the remaining food that was in stock, as well as clothes and blankets to cover babies under two months. These babies had not worn clothes since birth. The clothes were not enough so we bought more and placed them in blue tote bags [thanks to Sanderson Ford]. Each one contained two women’s wraps for those who delivered babies and had nothing to wear; 5 baby clothes for each baby and a baby blanket.

Pastor preaching

Crowd from Buleusa meeting the convoy

        “Upon arrival we contacted community leaders who were waiting for us. They led us up the mountain for Gospel teaching and distribution. We distributed items the whole day, finished and returned back to Kirumba for safety’s sake for the night. The next morning we traveled in convoy back to Goma.

        “We distributed 7,200 meals to 700 households in Buleusa Refugee Camp. We brought spiritual comfort and hope by preaching the Gospel to the traumatized community in a war zone.  

~*~ SPECIAL INSERT PAGE ~*~

BULEUSA REFUGEE CAMP, CONGO, REPORT

Dear Bush Telegraph Partners,

       “Since the outbreak of this crisis, no humanitarian assistance has been distributed to war victims of Buleusa Refugee Camp. According to CNR sources, 700 households of displaced people live in subhuman conditions, where they are persecuted, in the most distressed war zone, characterized by famine with no humanitarian assistance.

      Our partner, Bush Telegraph Mission, encouraged us to go and assist the displaced people in Buleusa Refugee Camp - to supply food, clothes and teach them the love of God.

Mothers receiving first baby clothes since their birth 

       “PAM (World Alimentary Program) had promised to deliver food, but has not done anything yet. The government enthroned a Chief who is calling on people to love each other.

         “Villages were burned and displaced Hutu tribe are trapped up in the Buleusa mountains. They are not allowed to come down. If they do they are in danger of being killed by the Kobo tribe.

       “MONUSCO, another NGO, placed water in a tank for them. Four days before our arrival MONUSCO brought food for four days only. Before we arrived there was nothing to eat in Buleusa as it is an isolated area.

        “We visited the Health Care Center where we found a vulnerable lady who had delivered her baby by cesarean section performed by flashlight at night. We gave her a bag of baby’s clothes, a blanket and two women’s wraps in the blue tote bags.

       “To identify vulnerable people, we used the list from the UNHCR. Then we appointed managers by villages who helped with distribution. It was the greatest time ever seen … where we responded to a huge need that brought tears of joy. It was like ‘manna coming from heaven’, adding to that a prayer of blessing for your donors.”

Prepared by Mama Zawadi, CAAP Secretary, Goma, August 25, 2016