At 99, Léo, displaced by war, is walking again

Léo Kuvirhe, aged 99, fled the violence in eastern DRC to seek refuge in Kitshanga. Thanks to support from HI, he has regained his mobility and independence.

A person is walking along a dirt path, leaning on two long wooden crutches held on either side of their body. The person is wearing a jacket, a striped shirt, pants, and green rubber boots, as well as a hat. The path winds through a landscape lined with trees and plants. On the left side of the image, a white vehicle is partially visible, parked along the path. In the background, another person is visible behind the person.

Léo Kuvirhe learns to use crutches with the help of a physiotherapist. | © Ogala Company / HI

Fleeing the war and surviving

Léo Kuvirhe, aged 99, is originally from Tchahemba in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Like many people living in North Kivu, he was forced to flee his village due to clashes between armed groups. He sought refuge in Kitshanga, leaving behind a life he had built up over the years.

On his arrival, his situation was particularly difficult. His advanced age, combined with the violence he had endured and the displacement, had severely affected his mobility. He had great difficulty moving around and could no longer stand up.

“I used to walk by leaning on my bottom,” he says.

This loss of mobility makes him entirely dependent on others and prevents him from taking part in essential daily activities, such as going to the fields.

Today, he has only one son left, who lacks the means to help him. The others were killed during the war. He lives with his wife, who provides for the family by growing vegetables.

Gradual support to get back on his feet

As part of a project implemented by HI in North Kivu , teams work directly with the most vulnerable people. Identified by community liaisons—residents trained by HI—Léo received a home visit from HI physiotherapists who assessed his needs.

He thus began receiving rehabilitation care, accompanied by regular monitoring tailored to his needs.

Over time, thanks to these regular exercises, his health has improved significantly. He was subsequently provided with crutches and support to learn how to use them correctly to improve his mobility. Thanks to this support, he was able to stand up again and regain some independence in getting around. He can now make his own way, on a regular basis, to the HI health centre to continue his rehabilitation sessions.

“Today, I can get about. I can go wherever I want,” he says.

From patient to community liaison

Now, Léo plays an active role in his community. He refers other people to HI’s services. When he meets someone in difficulty, who struggles to get about or is unaware that they can receive help, he encourages them to seek support.

“I am very grateful to HI for helping me. Now, I refer others who are in need, just as I once was, so that they can come and benefit from the care that HI provides.”

In the Birambizo health zone, Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, HI is implementing a project aimed at improving access to healthcare and living conditions for populations affected by the crisis. From March to December 2025, followed by an extension phase in January and February 2026: