Judith A. Anderson and Alissa Everett

A few months ago, I had the honor of meeting Judith A. Anderson, Executive Director and CEO of HEAL Africa USA, at an intimate cocktail party in the San Francisco home of Kristen and Ty Harper.

Judith grew up in Congo, and has studied, worked and lived in North America, Europe and Africa over the past 40 years. Her work experience includes small business, international joint governmental and non-governmental programs, and being a wife and mother.

“I know that the key to change is the people involved,” Judith says.  ”I have seen HEAL Africa grow and am excited about the impact it is having in North Kivu and Maniema, and about the resource this training center can provide to Congo and Central Africa.”

One of the people who worked with HEAL Africa, and is doing her part to help the women of Congo, is photographer Alissa Everett.  Alissa, who is co-founder of Care Through Action in San Francisco, recently spent three weeks in Congo and spent quite a bit of time with HEAL. She wrote about the experience at her blog.

“The war in Congo touches all, women, children and men, young and old, military or civilian,” she says.  ”HEAL Africa’s mission is to ease their suffering and help them take control of their circumstances by providing holistic health and trauma care.”

Please take a moment to read Alissa’s report from Congo, and how HEAL Africa USA is helping the people of Congolese.

• Further Information: HEAL Africa [healafrica.org]
• Further Information: Alissa Everett [alissaeverett.com]
• Further Information: Care Through Action [facebook]
• Text and Photo: Damion Matthews [sfluxe.com]