For nearly three decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been embroiled in violence. Millions of people have been killed, and an estimated 5.6 million others displaced by civil wars, local feuds, and cross-border conflicts. That’s why Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney member Lucy Hobgood-Brown, who grew up in the DRC, decided it was past time to do her bit in initiating conversations about peacebuilding.
In January 2023, Lucy led a team of HandUp Congo (a small but mighty NGO led by Lucy) and RAWCS volunteers to the DRC, carrying the first Rotary Peace Pole to the vast nation of 90 million people. It was the first visit since 2019, due to the COVID pandemic. Three Rotary clubs representing Districts 9685 and 9660 participated in the initiative – the Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney, Rotary Blackheath and Rotary Taree.
The slogan ‘May peace prevail on Earth’ was translated into four local Congolese languages, with plaques placed on the Peace Pole in a central hub of Mbandaka, the provincial capital of Equateur Province. The initiative was a collaboration with the Rotary Club Ekanga Mbandaka (District 9150).
Yves Balo Bokolo wa Nyongo, the mayor of Mbandaka, officiated at the ceremony and declared the town of one million people to be ‘a city of peace’.
Participating in the ceremony with Lucy was Dr Grace Maano, president of the Rotary Club of Taree, who also provided training in obstetric emergencies at three venues in Congo. One venue was accessible only by dugout canoe, after a journey of 300km.
The volunteer team also provided visual storytelling training to HandUp Congo/RAWCS project partners and evaluated projects HandUp Congo (with support from RAWCS and the Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney) has funded since 2005. These projects included sustainable beekeeping, women’s microcredit, environment protection, farming and sewing training for single mums.
For clubs interested in learning more about how Rotarians are making a difference in the DRC, visit www.handupcongo.org or contact Lucy via handupcongo@gmail.com