INVISIBLE CHILDREN HARD AT WORK: First rehabilitation center in DR Congo for LRA-affected youth officially opens | Invisible Children Blog

January 29, 2013 by Invisible Children
 
Seeing firsthand the limited rehabilitation services available to children who have experienced extreme trauma as a result of LRA violence and abduction, Invisible Children and our partners from the Commision Diocesaine Justice et Paix (CDJP) and Sponsoring Children Uganda have opened the very first rehabilitation center in DR Congo focused on LRA-affected youth. We’ve been working diligently since January of 2011 on its construction and are now pleased to announce that Centre Elikya is complete.

Territorial Administrator of Dungu giving his blessing from the community and declaring the center officially open. Abbe Benoit Kinalegu (Director of CDJP) is on the right.

The Centre (appropriately named Centre Elikya, meaning “hope” in Lingala) is equipped with psychosocial support professionals and has been counseling traumatized children from the local Dungu area since October 2011, even while construction has been under way. Now that it has officially opened its doors, the program and facilities are equipped to serve 135 children at any given time.

Tree planting to mark Centre Elikya’s opening, symbolizing the life and growth to come.

FULL ARTICLE HERE: First rehabilitation center in DR Congo for LRA-affected youth officially opens | Invisible Children Blog