Dear Friends
I am writing to seek donations to help our partner, CENYESED, in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The recent volcanic eruption and associated seismic shocks have engulfed CENYESED's school and administrative building.
The shocks were so widespread that there was a huge exodus of people from the city seeking a safe place. The videos below show the hot lava flow and the exodus. In addition to the damage to buildings, the main problem is the local famine that has resulted from this catastrophe. Many fields of crops were destroyed, most of them being the main sustenance for some of the poorest people on the planet, who cannot afford to buy food to take the place of their crops. Almost 40 deaf members of CENYESED plus school staff are affected in this way.
The families need Rice, Cornflour, Beans, Oil, Salt and Embers (which we think means Charcoal). We immediately sent out £1000 to help stave off initial hunger, and we wish to raise £5000 to ensure that nobody within our partner's purview goes hungry during the rebuilding process.
If you are able to help, please donate into the following bank account or send a cheque.
The Cooperative Bank
Sort Code: 089299
Account Name: Deaf Reach
Account Number: 65889415
Cheques, payable to DeafReach, should be sent to DeafReach, 31 Sutton Road, Shrewsbury SY2 6DL.
And do please share this with family and friends.
We can do little immediately for the damaged buildings and fields, but we have already commissioned Eric Ngabo, our colleague in Rwanda, to visit Goma and report on what help is needed.
Thanks so much if you are able to help.
With all good wishes
Rod Clark
Chairman, DeafReach
Note. CENYESED was established by Kamonyo Botanyi, a deaf minister, and his late wife Beatrice. In addition to its support for the local deaf community, the charity runs three deaf schools in southern DRC. We have known Kamonyo for many years as he was a protege of our late colleague, Doreen Woodford. He is also the uncle of Elevanie Kamana, who founded Umutara School in Rwanda. Elevanie sought refuge with her aunt and uncle during the genocide and her experience of working in the schools prompted her to open her own on her return to Rwanda. Our International Director, Howard, helped CENYESED with an organisational Business Plan, out of which arose the need for a deafblind school in Goma. Following the completion of a Business Plan for this project, Stephen Waldron, an architect based in Wales, visited Goma at our request and has recently produced first drafts of plans for the school and for a Conference Centre, the latter aiming to provide revenue support to the new school.
