Sister Teresa is a Spaniard who arrived in Congo more than 52 years ago, He came to Equatorial Africa alone, but soon far from regretting, he decided his determination would go to defend the fundamental rights of children.
Since then he has shown courage, strength and courage, and created the Heri Kwetu center (from Bukavu / South Kivu), which began as a small clinic. Heri Kwetu means 'our house' in Swahili, and of course it has become a true home for children with physical or mental disabilities. A house where to heal wounds and calm the soul, a true home located in guerrilla and violence territory since the 90s.
But Teresa and Heri Kwetu are more than that, because the sensitivity towards social issues was broadened with environmental concerns from the visit to the R&S group (Roots & Shoots) of Lwiro, being fascinated by the group and its energy. “Roots & Shoots” is an environmental and humanitarian education program that tries to make a positive change possible for our communities, for animals and the environment, the program in its different locations is sponsored by Dr. Jane Goodall (primatologist known worldwide).
Currently, Heri Kwetu's Roots & Shoots group consists of 25 girls and 34 boys. They meet on Sundays, and see how their projects are progressing and what other proposals they can carry out to improve their environment. Concerned about the large number of plastic bags that are thrown into the streets, they have started sensitizing their neighbors, asking that instead of throwing the weeds they no longer use, they give them to the R&S group.
The little ones cut the plastic bags into strips that they then braided with crochet making beautiful bags, more durable and more useful than those that invade the streets of Kadutu. In this way, they keep the neighborhood clean and give new use to these polluting materials.
Many of the children who have come to Heri Kwetu did so with wounds or mutilations from the war. The educational center also welcomes poor children in the area, and in the Training Room work is provided for women with various disabilities
But selfless initiatives also need some external help, and that is why the Jane Goodall Institute collaborates with Heri Kwetu through its Roots & Shoots educational program and the mobile recycling campaign Mobilize through the jungle, part of whose funds go to the center.
The money raised will be delivered directly to Teresa, and with it it will be possible to train disabled people and give them the possibility to work repairing prosthesesIt will also be used to purchase materials to make prostheses, and an oven to mold and adapt the pieces to each patient.
