An Inspiring Story from our Alumni on Ebola Virus Disease
While the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing its 17th Ebola virus disease outbreak, our alumni are acting as solution-makers within their communities to help stop the spread of this deadly disease. Since the outbreak was declared, more than 1,000 confirmed cases, including over 250 deaths, have been recorded.
This is the inspiring story of our alumna, Dr Ange Kihugho Musondoli, who is currently working in Ituri Province, the epicentre of the outbreak.
I am Dr Ange Kihugho Musondoli, a humanitarian doctor currently working in Bunia, Ituri Province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
I am committed to health promotion, the protection of vulnerable populations and emergency health response, particularly in areas affected by armed conflict and disease outbreaks. My professional experience has enabled me to work closely with communities to improve access to healthcare and strengthen their resilience to crises.
I joined The Congo Tree training programme in 2018 and later continued collaborating as a facilitator for its youth development programme. This experience strengthened my leadership, community mobilisation and communication skills, and above all inspired me to become a solution-maker in my community. The opportunities provided by The Congo Tree have equipped me with practical tools that allow me to serve my community more effectively and contribute to humanitarian action, particularly in the fight against Ebola.
Today, Ebola virus disease remains a serious threat to the people of Ituri and neighbouring provinces. Recent confirmed cases and deaths remind us that the disease is extremely dangerous and can spread rapidly if not detected early. Vigilance, community awareness and early detection remain essential to saving lives.
Thanks to the training and experience I gained at The Congo Tree, I actively participate in community awareness campaigns, early identification and triage of suspected cases, referral of patients to Ebola Treatment Centres, and the promotion of preventive measures as a medical doctor. The training also strengthened my public speaking, leadership, emergency management, decision-making and problem-solving skills. It enables me to combat rumours and misinformation while promoting behaviours that reduce transmission.
As communities have lost trust in some health facilities through fear of infection, effective communication is essential. Frontline medical teams are particularly exposed, and the teamwork values I learned at The Congo Tree help me remain optimistic and encourage my colleagues. Together, we save lives: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’
Today, I call upon partners, organisations, donors and all people of goodwill to support community-based Ebola response initiatives. With greater resources, we can strengthen awareness, improve early detection, support community health workers and protect even more families.
The Congo Tree
