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DINA Center
Location: Congo, Central AfricaRune Edvardsen was travelling in DR Congo the same time the capital was struck by a natural disaster of catastrophic proportions. He witnessed first hand the path of destruction left by a river of burning lava, dividing the city in two. Rune immediately bought 60 tons of food and organized handouts to the most needy, namely the widows and children.
DINA CENTER - PROJECT VIDEO
In august of 2002, when Rune returned to Goma to check up on some homeless boys he had given shelter, he stumbled upon 2-year-old Dina and her terrified young mother. Locals explained that Dina’s mother had just witnessed her tiny daughter get brutally raped by several guerrilla soldiers. Most likely, the mother was raped as well.
Imagine, 2 years old, raped and physically damaged for life. A doctor was able to perform surgery and help mend Dina’s small, broken body.
Then Rune Evardsen got into action once again, and Dina and her mother along with 15 other sexually abused girls immediately moved into a shelter. It was appropriately named: "The Dina Centre", and is now supported by the Dina Foundation in partnership with local churches.
New Peace School
Location: Congo, Central AfricaThis project is about building a school for the children ravaged in a war zone in eastern Congo. With the strife between the Hutus and Tutsis that led to the genocide in Rwanda in 1990 continuing, there is a crying need to take care of the children and provide them with a schooling facility. A school where children will learn respect and tolerance for each other with positive interaction, sowing the seeds for future peace in the region.
A mountain of pygmies
Location: Massy, CongoBy May 2004, Rune was once again on his way to DR Congo. This time he traveled up to the remote Massy area, a 5-6 hours drive from Guam. In Massy he made met the local governor, and was permitted to buy a large mountain north of Masisi for a symbolic price. The mountain rises 2000 meters above sea level. The land is both fruitful and beautiful, with slopes covering several square kilometres. The mountain has been set aside to be a home for the pygmies who are living as hunted refugees in their own country.
Dina Centre
Location: GomaIn Goma, DRC Congo, the Dina Foundation has built an orphanage for 150 young girls. They have been raped and abused as a result of the war and ongoing fighting between different rebel groups and Government army in the area. In 2009 a new school will be built at the centre.
Bethsaida Centre
Location: GomaThis is a centre for 70 homeless boys. Also five formerly child soldiers are now staying at the centre. There is also a school at the grounds, supported by the Dina Foundation for 500 children.
Dina Centre
Location: BukavuIn the city of Bukavu, DRC Congo, the Dina Foundation is running a home for 29 young mothers with children. They have all been raped and became pregnant, and have been excluded from their families and the society. At the centre, they are taken care of, and are learning how to care for themselves and their child. In June 2009 a new building will be opened, doubling the capacity to 60 women.
Dina School
Location: MasisiIn the town of Masisi, DRC Congo, the Dina Foundation bought a whole mountain. Here persecuted pygmies are given shelter. A school for 243 students is also built and is run by the foundation.
Dina School
Location: GitegaIn the city of Gitega, Burundi, the Dina Foundation runs a school for 1200 students. An orphanage is also being built on these grounds in 2009.
Aril Centre
Location: GomaAt this centre in Goma, DRC Congo, the Dina Foundation is supporting a centre for pygmies who have fled to the city from persecution in the remote areas.
The Dina Foundation
Location: RwandaIn Rwanda, the Dina Foundation is working with HIV/Aids victims, giving them life prolonging treatment and helping them live with their disease.
Peace Conferences
The Dina Foundation is also playing a role in trying to create peace in the region. In June 2009, the foundation is arranging a peace conference in East-Congo, gathering church- and rebel leaders, and leaders from the Government. This will be a first step in a process to try to establish a platform of dialogue between the fighting groups in order to build a common ground for future peace and stability for the whole region.
Future projects
The Dina Foundation is continually expanding its engagement in the region of East-Congo and Burundi. New land is being purchased for new centres. A short time goal is to give shelter for 5000 children.
One of the new centres being built will help children who are victims of child labour under terrible conditions in the diamond - and gold mines.
A better life - leprosy home
Location: Kerala, IndiaThere are 16 million people suffering from Leprosy in the world today. 4 of those millions live in India. Our close friend Ernest Komanapalli runs a Leprosy home for 260 people in Amalapuram. 60 of the patients live at the Centre, and all are now non-infectious. With little effort we can buy effective medicine to stop this harmful disease. The bacteria that causes leprosy are killed during the first days, and after two weeks of medical treatment they are non-infectious. But even if the leprosy stops no one will get their rotten body parts back. It is therefore important to discover this disease early.
