A Legacy of Commitment

A Letter from Larry and Inge Sthreshley, serving in Congo

Spring 2023

Dear friends,

January 1^st began a new chapter of our service here in DRC. Larry has moved from being Country Director of IMA World Health to working globally in an advisory role for Corus International (of which IMA World Health is a subunit).

On January 2O, the staff at IMA World Health held a celebration of 22 years of IMA World Health in DRC under the leadership of Larry.  When we showed up for the celebration there was an extremely large picture of Larry on canvas with the words “Thank you, Larry”.  I shared the photo with our children. Hugh’s response was “That picture is huge! Clearly a mark of enormous appreciation ….”

Larry and Inge Sthreshley January 20, 2023.

Indeed, it was! Over 200 people attended; the General Secretary of Health and other officials from the Ministry of Health, representatives from the major donors and non-governmental organizations, IMA staff, and others Larry had worked with over the years.  The tributes to the impact Larry had on individuals and on the health care system of the country were very moving.   Most notable is his instrumental role in helping develop SANRU which has become one of the largest local health NGOs in Africa, and the district health information system (DHIS2) that now covers the DRC, an area a quarter the size of the USA.

It all began when Larry as a young missionary in Mbuji Mayi saw that the local churches and non-governmental organizations could do a better job solving health issues than international NGOs that dropped in. So, over the next decades, he worked to get funding for local churches and local NGOs to address the health care needs in DRC and give them a voice in determining the health care of the country.

To prepare for Larry’s celebration, the IMA team asked me for pictures of Larry when he was a young missionary. As I looked through old photos of Larry building health centers in Kinshasa with the Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa (CPK), meeting with church leaders and doctors at rural hospitals of the Presbyterian Community of Congo (CPC), I was reminded that what was achieved by IMA staff under Larry’s leadership in the last 22 plus years would never have been possible without the support and stable base provided by the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the PC(USA) and Presbyterian churches throughout the USA who have contributed to our sending and support over all these years.  

That stable support allowed for a long-term presence and commitment to the country, time to build relationships, and develop an in-depth understanding of the healthcare needs and challenges. It also allowed for insights into pathways and opportunities to meet those health challenges which Larry shared with the ministry of health, donors, and NGOs. The result was not just millions of dollars of funding going to health care for millions of people every year but also support for systemic changes that will bear fruit for years to come and result in a stronger healthcare system for the people of DRC.

Larry with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Donor Representatives

Whether you have been supporting us since 1987 or anywhere along the way, Larry and I thank you for your prayers and support and for journeying with us! We can all celebrate together what has been achieved, the people healed and lives saved.

Larry’s new title with Corus International is Senior Advisor for Innovation, Localization, and Partnerships.  He is still under joint appointment with PCUSA, but his primary work is now with Corus International. His focus will be on developing new programs and activities like the water ATM and cookstoves etc., advising on capacity building of local organizations, forging new partnerships, mentoring other country directors, and consulting on health system strengthening programs.  Already he has enjoyed the time he now has to research and focus on new ideas. As Larry’s “chapter” as country director for IMA World Health closes and a new one begins, he will of course support and work for a strong healthcare system for DRC as opportunities arise.

I will continue working for PCUSA, seconded to IMA World Health.  My focus this year is on leading the nutrition component for the SEMI project, which stands for Essential Services for Maternal and Child Health in Dem. Rep. of Congo). The project serves a population of 5.5 million in the Kasai province. We work with government health zone doctors and nutritionists to carry out nutrition activities at health centers and in the community to prevent and treat malnutrition in young children and pregnant women.    

A pilot activity I’m also excited to be working on is introducing village savings and loans associations (VSLA) in the Kasai to young mother groups.  The VSLAs will receive entrepreneurial ship training through the Congo Leadership Initiative.  Another synergistic component will be providing the VSLAs with improved seeds, hermetic agriculture storage sacs for conserving grain, and improved cookstoves.  This activity will be implemented through the Programme de Developpement du Kasai (PRODEK), a local nongovernmental organization with Presbyterian roots.  

And on the topic of new roles and changes, the best news is that we will be grandparents soon.  Our daughter, Lisa, and her husband, Hugh, are expecting their first baby in March. We are looking forward to meeting our first grandson! 

With gratitude for all your support,

Inge & Larry

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: ….” Ecclesiastes 3:1