We are a network, working on a project to promote creative therapeutic methods in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In collaboration with the C.N.P.P (Centre-Neuro-Psycho-Pathologique) the largest public institution in Kinshasa, a training programme and complementary treatment for mental illness, using creative approaches is being implemented.

The population in Kinshasa and many regions of the DR-Congo is severely affected by psychosocial problems due to the context of ongoing social crises and conflicts. Music and culture traditionally play an important role in coping with mental health crises; however, music therapy in a scientific, medical sense has not existed until now. Since 2022, as part of international development cooperation, in cooperation with YWCA-DRC and on behalf of Bread for the World, we have been able to establish a programme for the further training of nursing staff and a range of music therapy services for patients. The projects that have been implemented have shown promising results, demonstrating that such interventions are capable of improving the precarious situation of both patients and nursing staff.