Hi. My name is Cathy, and I have been visiting and working with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo for close to 8 years. It has been an intense privilege for me and I am grateful to have met and worked with so many wonderful individuals. A few days ago, Pascal, a community nurse, was telling me about the children living on Idjwi Island in the DRCongo who are suffering from an outbreak of scabies. After we hung up, I couldn't get the pictures of the children out of my mind. Each night I imagined them sore, and sick, and suffering.

I have never visited Idjwi Island, but my friend Heather has. She tells me about the people living there - strong, resilient, courageous. They work hard every day, tending their fields and livestock if they are fortunate to have any, caring for their children, walking miles to find a source of water and then finding a means of cleaning it. It is a difficult life, and yet you will see the people singing and dancing with such joy ~ it is an amazing sight to behold.

Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. The mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. I cannot imagine living with this condition and trying to go about my day-to-day activities and then trying to sleep at night! Your donation will go towards the treatment of scabies and education on prevention.

If we are able to meet our goal, the people of Idjwi island will be singing and dancing for you :)