All health care workers are heroes in our books. But Marc Bombite is something straight out of a Marvel movie.
As a medical transporter for health centers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Marc is accustomed to the tough terrain. Roads are often in poor and unsafe condition and during the rainy season, usually impassable. There is violence and civil unrest, blockades and insecurity. Marc drives through it all.
His medical supplies contain PEP Kits, which prevent HIV and other diseases and are given in the immediate aftermath of sexual assaults. The caveat is that survivors must take the medicine within 72 hours of an attack to prevent disease. When stock runs low in certain areas and a survivor needs a kit, Marc goes wherever he needs to, no holds bar.
Nothing will stop him in his mission. Not even a literal volcano.
During a recent volcano warning, Marc rode his motorbike to save kits from a warehouse and bring them to an area where people had fled. The warehouse staff had already evacuated, and since Marc was the only one nearby, he went instead. He saw the lava flowing and knew there was a good chance of encountering dangerous thieves taking advantage of the opportunity. He took his chances anyway.
When reflecting on his experience, his humility is inspiring.
“We took the risk because the community needed us,” he says. “There was a need, there was disease,” Marc says. “We needed the kits. So, I worked.”
![PEP Kits help survivors prevent disease post-attack but must be used within 72 hours. Here, a nurse at the Kitoyi health center in Goma, DRC instructs a patient on its usage.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/RS40970_stafford-goma-pepkits-3032_0.jpg)
Dr. Alice Mudekereza, who leads the PEP Kits program, praises Marc’s courage.
“We saw the top of the volcano that was red. The summit was red,” she says. “During the minutes that he was taking the medicine and running, he was at risk.”
“It was a case of a young girl who was there and there's no way to do otherwise. The time limit was 72 hours,” said Dr. Alice. “We had to take the kits there and transport them by motorcycle very quickly to make sure that before we go to sleep, she's OK.”
“We feel tired, but we have to save people first,” Marc says. They even pray for us to arrive in peace, that we bring them the kits. They really need it.”
“We take the risk for the good of the community,” he says.
Marc shows up every single day to help his neighbor, no matter the distance or danger. Your support walks alongside him every step of the way. Thank you for equipping life savers to save lives.