By
In the rebel-torn hills of eastern Congo — a region rich in minerals but devastated by decades of conflict — lies Shirika la Umoja, an orthopedic workshop determined to help amputees reclaim mobility, dignity, and hope. Supported by the Red Cross and run by the Catholic Church, the center has become a rare beacon for those whose lives have been shattered by violence.
The Emergency Behind the Numbers
-
Since early 2025, Shirika la Umoja has treated over 800 amputees and severely injured patients.
-
In comparison, during all of 2024 the center fitted 422 prosthetics; by mid-2025 it had already provided some 326. The demand is growing steeply.
-
Many of the new injuries are a direct consequence of conflict: stray bullets, land-mines, explosions. Civilian populations remain vulnerable.
Human Stories: More Than Limbs
Beyond the figures are stories of loss, survival, and resilience.
-
Jerome Jean-Claude Amani lost family members and one leg. The prosthetic from the center is more than a device – for him, it's “a second chance.”
-
Melisa Amuli, a mother of three, lost her business and livelihood. With an orthotic brace, she is re-learning to stand.
-
Violetta Nyirarukundo was abandoned by her husband after her amputation. She confronts daily stigma but also holds on to hope.
These are not just stories of suffering. They’re stories of communities coming together, of people choosing to rebuild, piece by piece.
How Shirika la Umoja and Its Workers Deliver
Operating in one of the world’s most challenging humanitarian contexts, the center manages to do remarkable work. Key features:
-
Hand-crafted prosthetics: Each limb is individually carved, molded and assembled. Skilled technicians — many of whom are amputees themselves — craft devices by hand.
-
Local workforce: The center employs local prosthetic technicians, providing both employment and a sense of shared purpose. People who have lost limbs helping others regain function.
-
Support under hardship: Resources are tight. Material shortages, import challenges, broken infrastructure, and insecurity all complicate delivering care.
Challenges Still Standing
While the center’s work is heroic, the scale of the problem remains overwhelming:
-
Material & supply chain constraints: Prosthetic components, raw materials, tools often need to be imported. Conflict and customs issues slow everything down.
-
Human resource gaps: Qualified technicians are few. Each prosthetic takes craft, skill, and time. Scaling up is not just a matter of funding, but training and capacity building.
-
Psychosocial needs: Amputation brings not only physical loss, but social stigma, trauma, mental health challenges. Centers like Shirika are doing more than fitting limbs—they are helping people rebuild lives. But support is often under-resourced.
The Broader Picture: Prosthetics in Africa
The situation in Congo is far from unique. Across many African countries, prosthetic & orthotic services face similar obstacles:
-
Under-resourced health systems with limited rehabilitation services
-
Geographical barriers — patients in rural or conflict areas can’t reach urban clinics easily
-
Cultural stigma about disability
-
Limited local manufacturing of components; reliance on imports raises cost and reduces access
At the same time, there are hopeful trends:
-
Increasing focus on local innovation: simpler, robust prosthetic designs suited for environment & context
-
Growing NGO, governmental, and philanthropic investment in rehab, not just acute care
-
Digital technologies (3D scanning, 3D printing etc.) becoming more accessible and relevant, though uptake remains low in many settings
Why Stories Like Shirika la Umoja Matter
They show what is possible even under adversity. They highlight that prosthetics are not luxury—they are essential health interventions. They give insight into what is needed:
-
Sustainable supply chains for materials & tools
-
Training programs to produce more local prosthetic / orthotic technicians
-
Community reintegration, psychosocial support, advocacy to reduce stigma
-
Funding & infrastructure that treat prosthetic care as integral part of public health
A Path Forward: What Needs to Change
For prosthetic care in Africa to scale and be sustainable, several shifts are crucial:
-
Local manufacturing & sourcing: Reducing dependency on imports for basic materials.
-
Training & education: More schools, apprenticeships to build skilled local workforces.
-
Integrating prosthetics into health policy: So that public health funding supports O&P services.
-
Use of technology: Digital scanning, remote design, low-cost 3D printing may help reduce cost & increase customizability.
-
Holistic care models: Physical rehabilitation plus mental health plus social inclusion.
Conclusion: Beyond the Limb, Toward the Person
Shirika la Umoja in Goma is more than a clinic. It is a symbol of what human resilience and dedicated care can achieve even in the hardest places. Every prosthetic built by its craftsmen is more than plastic and straps — it is a promise. A promise that when limbs are lost, we can still build mobility. When people are displaced, we can still rebuild lives. When communities are broken, we can still create hope.
.png "Gaza Fund (1)")
