Project Administration

Désiré Murhima

While working as a nurse Désiré saw the struggles of so many in his country. For this reason he decided to found PROLASA. Since the time of the agency’s founding, roughly 20 years ago, Désiré has functioned as the Project Administrator. Full of ideas and energy Désiré is always striving to enhance PROLASA and the services which the organization is able to offer.

Having done post-graduate studies in Montreal, Québec, Désiré has also had the opportunity to experience Western society and culture. He says that this was a valuable experience for him, enabling him to understand and work extremely well with the project’s North American and European partners.

Project Director

Dr. Barry Wecker MD, MPH, DTM&H

Dr. Wecker is an MD working in New Brunswick who spent 7 years working and living in Africa. Barry has extensive experience with consultations and patient management in a tropical setting and recently completed the Gorgas Tropical Medicine program for his Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Health. Barry works extensively with designing and implementing projects in Congo from Canada and also visits the projects in DRCongo regularly to work “hands on”.

Barry enjoys working directly with patients during consultations and has plans and high hopes for the future of PROLASA’s medical program. In the near future, as funding becomes available, he hopes to implement quality programs which will address diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the major pillars of tropical disease: tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria.

Logistics Coordinator

Daniel Hanscom RN, BScN

Daniel works in the same medical clinic as Barry which is located in New Brunswick. While some time is spent in direct patient care most of his efforts are channeled towards the overseas health programs of PROLASA.

Daniel works to coordinate projects and resources as well searching for new resources which can be used to further PROLASA’s mission. He has traveled from Canada to DRCongo on a regular basis in order to work directly with the projects there.

Work overseas has broadened Daniel’s field of practice significantly… From performing minor procedures to implementing appropriate technology measures to improve health status of the locals. “Who ever knew that nursing would be quite like this?” Daniel says jokingly.

Medical Director

Dr. Jonathan Odinga MD

Dr. Odinga has been working with PROLASA’s medical work since the completion of his studies in medicine. Currently Jonathan is stationed at PROLASA’s small medical clinic based in the city of Goma.

The clinic is currently quite small. The last site of PROLASA’s Health Centre was a rented lot and building for which the lease has expired. Land has been purchased for the construction of a new health centre in Goma. A perimeter wall is currently under construction and Jonathan, as well as the rest of the medical team, is very eager to see the new facility built and operational in order to be able to expand services to the area of Goma.

We are very appreciative of the work of Dr. Odinga as well as the rest of the medical team. Thank you all for your commitment to service.

Children’s Village Director

Aline Nkuruziza

The Children’s Village Director has been working with PROLASA for several years. Throughout those years her love for children has helped to brighten the lives of the many kids that she has worked with. Never far from the little ones, she is the acting director for the Patmos Children’s Village located on the island of Idjwi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

We certainly appreciate Aline’s work and the work of the entire staff at the Children’s Village for their commitment to the program and to the children that it serves.