Key Points:
- The United Methodist Church offers mobility assistance to people living with disabilities in Congo, including refugees and those displaced by war.
- The assistance enables people with disabilities to participate in the life of the church and evangelism efforts.
- Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, Eastern Congo Episcopal Area, launched an appeal to people of good will to reach out to people living with disabilities.
Shouts of joy rang out across eastern Congo as representatives of The United Methodist Church distributed mobility aids to people living with disabilities.
The church brought hope to people in Goma, Beni, Fizi and Kisangani by providing them with means of transport. More than 120 people received wheelchairs, canes, crutches and tricycles, which will enable them to get around more easily and participate more fully in the life of the church and the community.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief made funds available to purchase mobility aids for people living with disabilities in Fizi through the Disability Ministries Community program, which aims to promote access, inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities within the church.
In Goma and Beni, funding from Connexio Switzerland, the mission and diaconia network of the Evangelical Methodist Church, provided wheelchairs, canes, crutches and tricycles. At the Kisangani site, United Methodist faithful purchased a new motorcycle for improved mobility.
Zacky Kabunga Toto, deputy project manager of the Kivu Conference, said many beneficiaries were war-displaced people and refugees following the clashes between the DRC Armed Forces and the M23 rebels.
“Many people living with disabilities,” Kabunga said, “are displaced war veterans and United Methodists who, thanks to these means of transport, are able to convey God’s message.”
Beneficiary Samson Kasivita was disabled at an early age in Rutshuru Territory when his left leg was amputated. He called the aid a real blessing.
“I was marginalized and abandoned by my family because of my disability,” he recalled. “Today, thanks to the tricycle, I can get around and share the good news.”
Samuel Kasororo, a faithful United Methodist and father of six, lost his right leg during the war in 2006. “It’s a joy to receive this much sought-after wheelchair, which today enables me to bring the good news to Lac Vert in Goma, where we have just created a church block,” he said. “I want to continue to serve God with this mobility, to win souls for Jesus.”
Matendo Kubanza, head of the Kanyarushinya camp for displaced people living with disabilities, welcomed the initiative.
“The church has shown great love by offering us these means of transport,” Matendo said. “This will enable people living with disabilities to be mobile and (will) contribute to their development.”
The Rev. Rigobert Mtaka, Fizi District superintendent, pointed out that providing means of transport for people living with disabilities would also contribute to church development.
“Among these people,” he said, “are some who have the gift of evangelizing and singing, and today they will begin to move for the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
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Lusambya Byammese, a member of the Salvation Choir at Sayuni United Methodist Church in Baraka, benefited from the church’s support in the Fizi District.
“I thank the church for this endowment, which today enables me to go out on the circuits and other local churches to sing for God,” he said.
In the Oriental and Equator Conference, two faithful United Methodists bought a new TVS motorcycle for Jean Abuba. Because of his disability, Abuba had no way to travel to major church meetings, such as circuit, district and annual conferences.
“I’ve been disabled since childhood,” he said. “Today I am proud to belong to the Christian family. Today I say, ‘Thank you’ to Damas Lushima and Jean Tshomba, who helped me by giving me a new motorcycle, which today is even starting to generate income for my survival.”
Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, Eastern Congo Episcopal Area, stressed the importance of offering unconditional support to people living with disabilities, so that they can enjoy their daily lives to the fullest.
Highlighting the moral imperative to recognize the dignity and intrinsic worth of every individual, he said, “The Bible reminds us that every individual is a unique creation of God,” he said.
Kituka Lolonga is a communicator of the Kivu Annual Conference. Lebon Okito, communicator of the Eastern and Equateur Provinces Annual Conference, contributed to this story.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.
