Warning: this article includes mention of physical and sexual abuse.
Bisoke Balikenga leads the Centre which developed as a response to the war-torn areas of Congo where varying factions are vying for land, control and power. These varied militias are a law unto themselves and have proved very difficult to displace or control over decades. The effect on local populations has been devastating. Rape, abuse, torture and mutilation are common and many have fled into the bush and towards distant towns often more than 100 kilometres away. The internally displaced people especially women and children are traumatised, abused, hungry and without any possessions. It is a desperate and common situation for many women and children.
The Peace Centre provides possible respite for those who reach it. Entirely supported by donations locally and internationally it is not run by the United Nations or any large charity but by the local Christians who wanted to make a response to the violence they so often witness.
Bisoke Balikenga, also the long-serving Provincial Officer for the Anglican Church in DRC, has dedicated his life to enabling the Centre to provide a variety of responses to the continual crisis in DRC. When they have resources they provide basic necessities like clothes, food, cooked meals and shelter. They run trauma healing workshops and provide space for women to share their stories. The immensity of the shared pain is often overwhelming. Simple survival is what keeps a lot of people going. Seminars and training workshops are also made available at different times in the year.
Alongside these responses the Centre promotes Christian peace and reconciliation initiatives aimed at bringing reconciliation between youth alienated from one another through the extremely violent actions of warring tribes. It is not easy or necessarily safe work but it produces a ray of hope, an alternative way of living for the future. When Jesus tells us to forgive our enemies and shows how to do it when crucified on the cross it can be life-changing. When the scriptures say that Jesus is our peace – it can be a very powerful antidote to violence. You can read a wonderful example of a radically transformed life here.
Trauma, hunger, abuse, rape, mutilation, loss, murder, grief form a whirlpool of despair from which many do not ever fully recover. But the Peace Centre at least gives people a sense of recognising, and listening to their pain whilst helping in some small way to help them survive and recover in some measure.
Half of our Christmas Collection will go to the ongoing support of the Peace Centre as they serve the needs of the women and children who come to them desperate for any help they can receive. “Whatsoever you did to the least of these you did unto me!” You can donate to our Christmas Collection here.
We are in direct contact with Bisoke Balikenga, who is also a local partner with CMS-Africa. You can read more of his story here.
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