Today, 9 May, the Anesvad Foundation has awarded Sister Ángela Gutiérrez a prize in honour of her 30 years of dedication at our THÉLEMA Mental Health Centre in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The entire hospital Family is proud of this award, which encourages us to reaffirm our commitment to Mental Health and Hospitality around the world.
About Sister Angela’s Hospitaller work
More than three decades ago, Sister Angela Gutierrez arrived in Kinshasa. Seeing the situation of neglect suffered by people with mental illness, she decided, together with other Sisters, to create a place to welcome them, provide them with care and offer them opportunities: the THÉLEMA centre.
Through this great hospital project, the Congregation has significantly improved the quality of life of many people in the region, providing services and psychological support to more than 35,000 people affected by mental health problems, as well as to their families and the community in general, annually.
The socio-community centre has a team of mental health professionals who provide care to people affected by depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other conditions. In addition, the Congregation has implemented mental health awareness and prevention programmes, with the aim of promoting greater awareness and understanding of the importance of mental health care in the area.
THÉLEMA, which means ‘Get Up’, currently receives almost 100 patients per day and helps them to get up, following the example of the Good Samaritan, who does not pass by and stops to help the marginalised and vulnerable.
About the Anesvad Foundation Awards – IX Edition
The Anesvad Foundation Awards promote and recognise impactful health projects. In its 9th Edition, it will highlight the work of organisations and individuals who fight daily for the right to health in the most forgotten places in sub-Saharan Africa, especially those working to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The gala, which will be broadcast live internationally, will this year recognise Sister Ángela Gutiérrez for a lifetime of work dedicated to defending the right to health of the most vulnerable populations in Kinshasa and the rest of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
