English: In the southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo lies the town of Lemera, nestled in the Uvira Territory of South Kivu. It was here that I had the opportunity to visit Lemera Hospital during my journey in 2014. As I explored the town and learned more about its history, I came across information about the Lemera massacre that took place in October 1996, which marked the onset of the First Congo War.
Upon arriving at the hospital, I was struck by its modest size and meager facilities. The buildings are small and appear to be in a state of disrepair, with the lack of funding and resources clearly evident. Despite these challenges, the hospital’s staff continued to work tirelessly to provide care and support to their patients.
During my visit, I discovered that another “Lemera Hospital” had been constructed in Bukavu, which was intended to help alleviate the burden on the original facility. Nonetheless, the Lemera Hospital in the town of Lemera remained a critical resource for the community, serving as a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.