I am consistently humbled by the progress we make together, and today I want to share the latest developments from our global advocacy and charity efforts. This update is a testament to the power of collective action, where every donation, every shared story, and every moment of solidarity translates into tangible change for communities facing profound adversity. The following sections detail our recent work, from the heart of Eastern Congo to the support networks here in the UK.

Advancing Women’s Empowerment with Neema Namadamu

I am pleased to report on our continued partnership with Neema Namadamu and her Hero Women Rising movement in Eastern Congo. Our collaboration remains focused on transforming the lives of women survivors through practical skills and powerful advocacy. This quarter, our joint efforts have centred on equipping women with the tools to speak, lead, and thrive in a digital world.

Digital Skills Training in Bukavu

Last month, we facilitated a transformative digital literacy workshop in Bukavu for over sixty women. Many of these participants are survivors of conflict-related violence, for whom access to technology represents a new frontier of opportunity.

The week-long training covered essential skills, from basic computer operation and internet safety to using social media for advocacy and small business development. Witnessing a woman send her first email or create a digital ledger for her cooperative is a profound moment of empowerment.

Advocacy Delegation to Local Government

Empowerment extends beyond digital skills into the realm of civic engagement. Following the training, a delegation of fifteen women from the programme prepared for and met with local provincial authorities.

Their agenda was clear: to advocate for increased protection measures for women in markets and on journeys to collect water. This direct dialogue, a result of our advocacy training modules, marks a significant step in ensuring survivors’ voices shape the policies that affect their daily lives.

Solidarity Campaigns: Amplifying Voices from Eastern Congo

Our storytelling initiatives are designed to bridge continents, bringing powerful survivor narratives to a global audience. By amplifying these voices, we foster a deeper understanding and a stronger international solidarity movement. Two recent projects have made significant strides in this mission.

BBC World Service Feature: ‘Stories of Resilience’

I was deeply moved by the recent BBC World Service feature that spotlighted our work. The programme, ‘Stories of Resilience,’ dedicated a segment to the personal narratives of women from our partners in Eastern Congo.

The documentary-style report allowed listeners worldwide to hear directly from individuals like Espérance, who shared her journey from trauma to becoming a community health advocate. This kind of ethical, high-profile storytelling is crucial for building informed global support.

The ‘Unsilenced’ Art Exhibition in London

Further translating these stories into powerful art, we supported the ‘Unsilenced’ exhibition in London last month. We collaborated with three UK-based artists who worked from anonymised testimonies provided by our partners.

The resulting paintings, sculptures, and digital installations offered a visceral, emotional bridge to the experiences of survivors. The exhibition attracted over a thousand visitors, creating a unique space for reflection and dialogue in the heart of London.

Strengthening Our UK Support Network

Engaging with our UK-based supporters remains a priority for sustaining our international advocacy and charity work. Their commitment fuels our programmes, and we are dedicated to fostering deeper connections through shared learning and community. Two recent initiatives exemplify this effort.

Policy Dialogue with Oxfam GB

In March, I had the privilege of moderating a private webinar with policy experts from Oxfam GB. The discussion focused on the evolving challenges of delivering humanitarian aid in complex conflict zones, drawing on Oxfam GB’s extensive global experience.

This dialogue provided our major donors and institutional partners with invaluable insights, directly connecting them to the strategic realities that shape our work on the ground. It was a powerful exchange of expertise aimed at enhancing impact.

Launch of the London Donor Circle

To deepen our community of committed supporters, we recently launched the London Donor Circle. This group of dedicated individuals based in and around London meets quarterly for exclusive briefings and strategic discussions.

Members gain a closer look at our programme’s financials and impact metrics, and their sustained monthly giving provides a reliable foundation for our long-term projects. The launch event last week was a inspiring testament to the generosity concentrated in this global city.

Programme Updates: Impact on the Ground

I am delighted to provide concrete updates on our direct development initiatives. Beyond advocacy and storytelling, our charity work is fundamentally about creating tangible, life-changing infrastructure and support. These updates from the field are the most rewarding to share.

Water Access Projects in South Kivu

In rural South Kivu, the daily search for water is a dangerous and time-consuming burden, primarily borne by women and girls. I am therefore thrilled to confirm the completion of three new freshwater wells in target communities this quarter.

Each well serves approximately 150 households, drastically reducing the distance travelled and the risk of gender-based violence. The projects included community-led management training, ensuring the wells’ sustainability for years to come.

Scaling Our Psychosocial Support Programme

Healing from trauma is a cornerstone of sustainable development. Due to increased demand and donor support, we have successfully expanded our trauma counselling services. We have trained and deployed ten new community-based counsellors across the South Kivu province.

These counsellors, who themselves are from the communities they serve, provide vital one-on-one and group therapy sessions. This expansion means we are now reaching an additional 300 survivors each month with critical psychosocial support.

I want to express my profound gratitude for your support, which fuels this vital international advocacy and charity work, and I invite you to stay connected as we continue to build a more just world together. Your engagement turns these reports from mere updates into a shared narrative of hope and progress.