Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

First health center opens in rural Congo village

Osio is a village located more than 25 kilometers from Kisangani city. Each year for many years, the population of this village might travel thousands of kilometers to receive medical care. 

Today, thanks to The United Methodist Church and the support of the Board of Global Ministries’ Abundant Health initiative, this population is enjoying having a modern health center in their village. The center has a 20-bed capacity with a quality staff designated by East Congo Bishop Gabriel Unda Yemba, and offers general medical treatment with plans to add a maternity ward. 

The goal is to make quality care accessible to all and change the image of the medical structures within the East Congo Episcopal Area, said Dr. Damas Lushima, general coordinator of health for the episcopal area. 

“It is important to build a modern maternity to continue to improve the health of the mother and child,” he added. “Abundant Health decided to build a health facility worthy of its name in the annual conference of the Equator and Oriental to alleviate some of the health problems that presents children and pregnant women in the rural Osio village.”  

“I am happy to see the Methodist community thought about the health of the population that is under my jurisdiction here in Osio,” said Tshamunyonge Faustin, leader of the village.

In addition to upgrading the quality of care, the church helped improve the area infrastructure to increase access to a health center. Since there was no bridge nearby, crossing the Congo River to allow villagers to reach the university clinics or the large hospitals in Kisangani was an obstacle. They had to rely on canoes in an emergency. 
This photo shows the exterior of the health center opened by The United Methodist Church in East Congo. Photo courtesy of the Equator and Oriental Annual Conference.
"This photo shows the exterior of the health center opened by The United Methodist Church in East Congo. Photo courtesy of the Equator and Oriental Annual Conference.
The Oriental and Equator Conference covers a large geographic area, which also presents challenges to providing better health care access, said Albert Wembakoy, health supervisor for the conference.  

“The need for well-constructed structures is as big as the conference itself because the majority of the members living in this conference are in rural areas,” he said. “It is a great joy to see the population being brought closer to the structures of quality care in our annual conference.”

How to help

Donate to the Abundant Health initiative, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
The presence of the modern health center in Osio also aids in evangelization, said the Rev. Albert Onotamba, pastor of the local Albert Onotamba United Methodist Church that bears his name.

“We receive from time to time some people who today become effective members of our local church in Lubunga who testify to the service received at Osio health center,” Onotamba said. “The health center does not only receive The United Methodists but also, and above all, the non-Methodists who come to receive the proper care.”  

“I pray that God will assist all the partners who think about the well-being of the people in the rural areas of our annual conference and our episcopal area,” said the Rev. Willy Alimasi, Kisangani 1 District Superintendent.

Osongo Yanga is the director of communications for the East Congo Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church. 

News media contact: Vicki Brown, Nashville, Tennessee, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.



Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Mission and Ministry
Members of the Harare (Zimbabwe) Inner-City United Methodist Church’s junior Sunday school class pose with some of their gifts for the local hospital’s pediatric unit. The children and teachers donated medical supplies, stoves and gifts for children. Appliance salesperson Roper Chakava stands second from right. Photo by Chenayi Kumuterera, UM News.

Children team up to help sick kids in Zimbabwe

Youth ages 4-12 at Harare Inner-City United Methodist Church raised $2,500 to provide gifts for children in the local hospital’s pediatric ward.
Disaster Relief
Children and adults cross a mud-filled street in Kasaba, Congo, where flooding has killed at least 110 people, including five United Methodists, and destroyed hundreds of homes. A local United Methodist church was destroyed by floodwaters, affecting some 300 United Methodists. Photo courtesy of the Ecclesiastical District of Fizi.

Church members among dead in Congo floods

Five United Methodists killed, a church destroyed, and hundreds of families are affected by flooding in Eastern Congo.
Faith Stories
Susie and Ed Keefer pose with Miriam, age 4, in Kinshasa, Congo, in 2013. Shortly afterward, Miriam went home with the Keefers to the United States. The matching outfits were a gift from Dr. Rebecca Yohadi. Photo courtesy of Susie Keefer.

From mission volunteer to adoptive mom

When Susie Keefer traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010, little did she know it would be the first of many mission journeys.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved