Banro raises funds for Congolese hospital

The Banro Foundation, a charity created by Canadian gold explorer Banro (BAA-T, BAA-N)  in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raised $80,000 for the Panzi Hospital in the eastern part of the country.

Located in a suburb of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, the general referral hospital became internationally recognized for providing free, comprehensive care for women, including those who have been survivors of sexual violence.

Founded by gynaecologist Denis Mukwege in 1999, the approximate 400-bed hospital treats an average of 3,500 women each year.

Since its inception, Mukwege and his team have treated more than 30,000 survivors of sexual violence through specialized treatments, integrating psychological and physical therapy with social support.

For his life-long commitment to treating Congolese women who have been subjected to a range of violence, Mukwege was awarded the 2010/2011 King Baudouin International Development Prize in May.

Mukwege on receiving the award, noted in a press release: “…I am grateful for the opportunity to reiterate the critical need for all of us to take action for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We cannot risk being silent on this grave injustice – destroying women means destroying life.”  

“Through his work as a doctor and advocate, Dr. Mukwege is shining a spotlight on one of the most pervasive and pernicious human rights abuses in the world – violence against women,” said Peter Piot, the chairman of the King Baudouin Foundation.

Mukwege also received the UN Human Rights Award in 2008, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, among other awards.

The donation from the Banro Foundation will go towards building a multipurpose women’s health centre at the Panzi Hospital to support prenatal consultation, family planning and HIV sensitization, and other activities promoting women’s health.

Banro raised the funds through a golf tournament held near Toronto on June 9, 2011. The main sponsors of the event were Macleod Dixon LLP and Kilo Goldmines, along with co-sponsors Banlaw Africa, CIBC World Markets, GMP Securities, Loncor Resources, GMP Europe, Cormark Securities, SENET, SRK Consulting, SGS, TD Bank, RBC Dominion Securities, Adnet Communications, BDO Canada and Collins Barrow Toronto LLP.

Banro registered the Bakavu-based charity in 2005, with a mandate to better the lives of people living in South Kivu and Maniema provinces by investing in education, health and infrastructure development, and by providing opportunities for women.  

Since 2008, the Banro Foundation has built a regional health care centre, a women’s resource centre, two new high schools, two primary schools, a potable water delivery system, and more than 100 km of roads and bridges.

For more information on the Banro Foundation visit: www.banro.com/s/CorporateResponsibility.asp