As this vast, mineral-rich country heads towards democratic elections, there are still serious outbreaks of conflict occurring in the eastern part of the country. Tens of thousands of people in Katanga have now been displaced from their homes according to UNICEF. The province had been relatively conflict-free until recently.
The food aid that is available is not enough; more is urgently needed. Maize supplies have mostly run out. Many babies are being fed watery manioc, which contains little nutrition. Death comes quickly to the most vulnerable people in the camps. Diarrhoea and malaria, compounded by malnutrition, are the major killers.
Since 1993, Mamma Jeanne
and her staff have cared for 779 children - 295 have been reunited with
their relatives, 234 have left (grown up,
been taken in by foster families, or died), and 250 are at the home. Of the 779 children,
78 have been victims of rape, and 6 have been infected by HIV/AIDS. The goals of
Mamma Jeanne's home are to work to reunite separated children with relatives, care
for the children physically, and provide them with love and counseling to aid in their
healing after severe trauma (witnessing murder, rape, beatings, etc.), and to provide the
children with an opportunity to attend school.
As this vast, mineral-rich country heads towards democratic elections, there are still serious outbreaks of conflict occurring in the eastern part of the country. Tens of thousands of people in Katanga have now been displaced from their homes according to UNICEF. The province had been relatively conflict-free until recently. 
