#GlobalDev

Neelley Hicks

May 20, 2020
2 min

Fighting COVID-19 in East DRC

By Philippe Lolonga May 20, 2020 / Bukavu, DR Congo Since the start of the epidemic declared on March 10, 2020, the cumulative number of confirmed cases is 1,628. In total, there were 61 deaths and 290 people healed.* All of the first four confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Goma were healed and a week later, we have already recorded 5 additional cases of COVID-19 in the community. We have a real problem of awareness to fight COVID-19 and this requires everyone’s involvement. “Ha

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Neelley Hicks

Aug 7, 2019
2 min

5 Whys of Ebola

At the recent Women Arise Leadership Conference, Maeghan Orton led participants through an exercise where they discussed local issues that need addressing. Maeghan shared that the real problem is rarely the one we consider first. The real problem is layered beneath other issues, and it takes time to be uncovered. We learned that finding it often takes asking the question, “Why?” five times. Following the conference, I traveled to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to vi

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Women Arise Team Attends the Great Lakes Initiative Leadership Institute

Neelley Hicks

Jan 29, 2019
6 min

Women Arise Team Attends the Great Lakes Initiative Leadership Institute

The Great Lakes Initiative (GLI) Leadership Institute was held at St. Mary’s National Seminary in Ggaba, Uganda from January 6-12, 2019. A Diverse Gathering The Woman Arise Team were so happy to be part of International Christian leaders, and they came from many different parts around the world. Harper Hill Global supported Kalungi Kenneth from Uganda, Joyce Jaka from South Sudan, Judith Yanga Osongo from DR Congo, and Rev. Suzanne from DR Congo. The Leadership Institute incl

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Neelley Hicks

Dec 31, 2018
2 min

2018 At a Glance

The voices of women proclaiming their value were amplified throughout a country and the world. Communicating for Equality Neelley and Bibiche Justice means more than prosecution of those who commit sexual violence. It means healing and restored dignity among survivors. In 2018, the “Women Arise” communications campaign in East Congo reached over 750,000 people with these goals in mind. “A Plea to My Father“ tells a story that echoes Bibiche‘s experience. Recently, she said, “

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Neelley Hicks

Oct 3, 2018
3 min

Bibiche’s Story

Bibiche and I met about a year ago, during the “Women Arise from Stigma” workshop at the United Methodist Episcopal offices in Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. She was one of three women who shared their story about being sexually assaulted and then rejected by her family. She was raped at 14 years of age when she left home to get food for the family. Four men abducted her and took her to the forest where they raped her until they heard others coming near. Left alone,

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The Church Raises Ebola Awareness via SMS

Neelley Hicks

Oct 3, 2018
3 min

The Church Raises Ebola Awareness via SMS

By Philippe LOLONGA October 10/3/2018/Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo In 2018, the Democratic Republic of Congo experienced two episodes of the Ebola virus disease: first in early May in the health zones of Bikoro, Iboko and Mbandaka in the Equateur Province, (in the northern part of the country); then at the beginning of August in the Beni region, in the North Kivu Province (Eastern DRC), with the extension in Ituri (Northeast). Since August, the Ebola virus has been p

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Neelley Hicks

Jun 4, 2018
2 min

Communication as a Weapon Against Disease

Judith Osongo Yanga uses technology to impact her fellow neighbors and community members in East Congo. By sharing the right media and messages via text, WhatsApp, radio and television, Judith works to reduce Ebola infections during an outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo. At times, people of faith worry about who to follow – physicians or faith leaders. As an example, doctors may advise against touching those dead from Ebola, but failure to follow sacred traditional

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Changing the World, One Society at a Time

Neelley Hicks

May 29, 2018
1 min

Changing the World, One Society at a Time

By Philippe Lolonga, Harper Hill Global Correspondent, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo “As members of the church, we are compelled to confront the issue of rape and stigma. We can no longer cross our arms and stand idly by!” — Bishop Gabriel Unda The words of United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Unda are becoming more pointed as he continues to rally support to end rape and violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the family-destroying stigmatiza

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Neelley Hicks

Apr 2, 2018
1 min

Women Arise from Stigma

“Women Arise from Stigma” is a campaign originated in Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo to help women claim the fullness of their identity in God: beloved and able; fierce and bold; from different places, yet from one tribe. Resources (available in English, French, Swahili, +). Contact info@harperhill.global to request. A Plea to My Father animation to overcome stigma by Harper Hill Global, Chocolate Moose Media, WiseHeart Foundation. “A Plea to My Father” Drama and Dr

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Neelley Hicks

Mar 19, 2018
1 min

Equip Women Who Will Equip Other Women

They are inspired. They are brilliant. They are ready. Five women, willing to serve their own communities by sharing knowledge that can improve lives. By their leadership and presence, girls and women will imagine new ways of being in the world – bold and beloved, fierce and determined – in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Uganda. Who are they? A part of Harper Hill Global’s campaign called “Women Arise” which encourages women to embrace their sacred worth a

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Neelley Hicks

Mar 2, 2018
3 min

Women Arise in Nigeria

Correspondent Daniel Garba reports on the Northern Nigeria United Methodist Women’s Convention screening of “A Plea to My Father” (shown for the first time in Hausa language). Also see Editor’s note below. “A Plea to My Father” was shown on Saturday, 17th February 2018, at around 9 pm Nigeria time. It was really a wonderful moment for over 2,000 women that watched the animation, because it is a heart touching animation! When the animation had been watched, the Women’s Preside

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Neelley Hicks

Feb 6, 2018
2 min

The Cost of Love

by guest contributor Chenayi Kumuterera, Zimbabwe There is always need for aid workers to build cultural competencies when they enter another culture. While development efforts must naturally focus on the beneficiaries, development workers should view the communities they serve as partners — not as recipients. When people see themselves as beneficiaries, they wait to receive and accept whatever is brought. Here are four ways in which appreciation of culture can lead to succes

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A Display of Hope for East Congo Survivors of Sexual Violence

Neelley Hicks

Jan 3, 2018
3 min

A Display of Hope for East Congo Survivors of Sexual Violence

By Judith Osongo Yanga: Director of Communication, East Congo United Methodist Church The Problem of Rape and Stigma The eastern area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where one finds our Episcopal region is well-known for numerous troubles from militants or rebels, who often rape women and children. Being innocent and vulnerable these victims are abandoned by their own family, in particular by their husbands. There are many reasons for this, and all of them contribute

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Neelley Hicks

Sep 5, 2017
2 min

SDGs, Religion, and Communications

Some of my friends will wonder why I am attempting to explain the Sustainable Development Goals because, well, doesn’t everyone already understand them? Other friends will wonder why I’m explaining the value of religious groups, because it’s obvious, right? Well, not everyone understands the value of religious groups, and not everyone has heard of the Sustainable Development Goals – yet the 2 topics go hand-in-hand. So here goes…the value of each, and the way communications c

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Neelley Hicks

Aug 29, 2017
2 min

Truths and Fallacies

Several friends contacted me yesterday to share NPR’s story, “Attempts To Address Rape In Congo Produced Unintended Consequences.” I’ve worked for the last several years with The United Methodist Church throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and wanted to share my thoughts. A Bigger Problem It’s never a good idea Chameleons are often made in dire situations…people become who you want them to be, when they are living in chronic hopelessness. This is the human conditi

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Join Me in Changing the World through Communications

Neelley Hicks

Aug 24, 2017
2 min

Join Me in Changing the World through Communications

The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet. – Frederick Buechner Over the past two decades, I’ve become a believer in using communications and technology to improve lives and reduce human suffering. I’ve also come to a deep understanding of the influencing role that religious groups play – particularly in parts of the world where new communication technologies are emerging. My calling in life is to address societal issues

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Neelley Hicks

Aug 14, 2017
2 min

Sticks and stones can break…

Stigmatization of rape victims happens the world over. Survivors face harmful words of those who want to lay blame at their feet. But in East Congo, women who suffered at the hands of rebels and soldiers were thrown out of their homes and, as Germain Mupasa said, “treated worse than dogs.” A new communications campaign that reframes “victims” as “survivors” is beginning to take shape – aimed at giving women renewed access to society that has previously shunned them. Working w

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Neelley Hicks

Aug 3, 2017
2 min

Combating Stigma through Communications

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead Over 50 women gathered at the “No Stigma” workshop held in Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo on July 17-20, 2017. The event was sparked by the Congo Women Arise initiative that is combating stigma against survivors of rape in East Congo, and was sponsored by Harper Hill Global, the WiseHeart Foundation, and the East Congo U

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