Hope on the Airwaves: Ebola Prevention Campaign Reaches More Than 100,000 People Monthly in South Kivu

By Gulain Kikwire

July 30, 2026 | UVIRA, Congo

Editor’s note: Gulain Nganya Kikwire sometimes walks 10 miles a day and uses a megaphone to reach people in rural settings with messages about Ebola prevention. His work with Programme d’Actions pour le Développement au Congo (PADCO), a nonprofit organization (ASBL) founded in 2017 amid the recurring wars that have engulfed the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH, led him to become involved with community development. 

"Harper Hill Global is working to assist him to buy the equipment he needs to share animations and move the discussion forward in a way that will stay with them longer than listening to a megaphone," said Neelley Hicks, founder of Harper Hill Global.

Community awareness about the dangers and prevention measures against the spread of Ebola, fueled by Ebola: In Praise of Prevention, is reaching over 100,000 people monthly in South Kivu.

"In Praise of Prevention," created by Firdaus Kharas funded by UNICEF Togo and United Methodist Communications, is airing daily in the morning, midday, and evening, thanks to a media grant from Harper Hill Global.

Through daily radio spots, community groups and churches, the message about Ebola prevention is spreading.

Ebola prevention gathering provided by PADCO, asbl, in the villages of Kabimba and Makobola in Uvira Territory.

One caller to the radio station said the messages are helping clarify how Ebola is transmitted and how to protect against getting the disease.

“There had been considerable confusion in the community. Some people believed Ebola was hereditary or caused by witchcraft or “fetishes.” The messages helped them understand that Ebola is caused by a virus and can be defeated through prevention,” the caller said.

Another caller said the message was helping him learn how to protect himself from the disease.

“I didn’t know how to protect myself, but thanks to this message, I am now able to raise awareness among others who are less informed. I suggest capacity-building initiatives in churches, working with various religious leaders to train them, so that they can become the true agents of change,” the caller added.

Another caller said, “Among community members, some said they were unaware that this disease even existed, but after watching the public service announcement and awareness videos, they came to accept that this disease is dangerous—you can’t joke around with someone who has this disease. They must be taken to the nearest hospital for proper care.” 

Kigongo Pentecostal Church

To date, prevention messages have been disseminated to more than 58 community groups, reaching a wide audience through information and discussion sessions. 

At the same time, churches are actively continuing their awareness-raising efforts. More than 8,960 people from various denominations have already been reached in towns and villages, thanks to the commitment of religious leaders.

The beneficiary communities express their deep gratitude to Harper Hill Global and its generous donors for their support. They commend their commitment to protecting the people of South Kivu—particularly those in villages most exposed to health risks in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Through this initiative, Harper Hill Global is helping not only to save lives but also to strengthen community capacity to prevent epidemics by providing reliable, accessible information on an ongoing basis.

Thanks to the support of Harper Hill Global and its generous donors, the Ebola awareness campaign is successfully continuing across the towns and villages of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

South Kivu Campaign Highlights

• Over 58 community groups reached with awareness-raising activities;

• More than 8,960 congregants informed across various churches;

• A radio spot broadcast three times daily (morning, noon, and evening) for a month;

• An estimated audience of over 100,000 people across towns and villages.

Students and Teachers learning Ebola prevention from PADCO asbl

Through these activities, communities are gaining a better understanding of the dangers of Ebola and the necessary prevention measures. Participants are now committed to sharing these messages with their families, neighbors, and wider communities to prevent the disease from spreading.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Harper Hill Global and its donors for their commitment to protecting the people of South Kivu. Together, we are strengthening prevention efforts, saving lives, and building communities that are more resilient to epidemics.

Kikwire is a Harper Hill Global Correspondent in Congo.

Every gift makes a difference. Whether you give $25, $100, $500, or more, your generosity helps deliver life-saving Ebola prevention messages to families in some of the most remote communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Your support equips local communicators with the tools they need to reach villages, broadcast trusted health information, and replace fear and misinformation with knowledge that saves lives. Together, we are protecting communities—one conversation, one village, and one life at a time.

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