About
Jali Afya is a Christ-centered, values-driven, non-governmental, and non-political initiative committed to advancing the holistic well-being of families and communities.
Founded by local health workers and community members in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, it recognizes that true health begins upstream in the systems, environments and conditions shaping daily life. In a region long affected by conflict, poverty, and preventable deaths, Jali Afya offers an integrated model combining trauma-sensitive health services with education, nutrition, and economic empowerment. This approach helps communities break the cycle of poverty and build resilience.
Today, Jali Afya reaches over 300,000 people - including 30,000 refugees and internally displaced persons - across rural South Kivu, supporting recovery, health, and dignity.
Our work is led by Dr. Marx Lwabanya, a native of Nundu and a globally recognized physician who returned to serve his community after years of displacement and training.
Alongside a team of committed doctors, nurses, and community health workers, Dr. Marx is redefining what rural healthcare can achieve.
100+
CHWs delivering essential care
650+
household visitations per month
15,000+
monthly patient visits
450+
nurses trained and graduated
Through our comprehensive and integrated approach, Jali Afya has made significant strides in improving health outcomes and building resilience in the region.
Key outcomes include:
Reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality through better access to skilled birth attendants and emergency care.
Improved nutrition and child health outcomes, with thousands of children receiving life-saving nutrition and community-based health education.
Increased access to mental health care, especially for the survivors of sexual violence and trauma ensuring healing and dignity at the community level.
Expanded healthcare access in remote underserved communities through a growing network of CHWs who serve as trusted, local first responders.
Capacity-building efforts leading to the training of hundreds of nurses and midwives annually, contributing to the region’s growing healthcare workforce.
Our Vision
A world where everyone has access to holistic healthcare and the opportunity to live a healthy, empowered life with dignity and hope.
Our Mission
To empower underserved communities to reclaim agency and thrive through equitable and holistic healthcare that fosters healing, resilience and well-being.
Our Values
Compassionate Care
Excellence
Resilience
Community-Centered Action
Equity
Our Strategic Pillars
Comprehensive, Holistic Care
We address multiple aspects of health - physical, mental, and social - recognizing that healthcare goes beyond just treating illness.
The focus is on: Prevention and education, Treatment and healing, Mental health and trauma care.
Community Empowerment
Empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their health, livelihoods, and environment.
Rooted in the One Health approach, our work integrates human health, economic opportunity, and ecological sustainability to build resilient and adaptable communities.
Healthcare System Strengthening
Building a sustainable, effective, and accessible healthcare system at all levels (from referral to community-based care).
Together, these efforts ensure that the entire healthcare ecosystem (from prevention to treatment, and from education to economic support) is more effective, sustainable, and equitable.
Sustainability & Equity
This sustainable, equity-driven approach creates lasting change, breaking the cycle of poverty and poor health, and empowering communities to thrive.
We work together with local partners, health providers, donors, and global allies to strengthen systems and expand access to inclusive, resilient care for all.
