In the remote village of Kaheku, 60km from the nearest town of Butembo, Madame Pilipili sits breastfeeding her baby outside the community’s new health centre. “We carried the bricks and cement for this centre, and Merlin helped us constructing it,” she says proudly. “They’re waiting for the ceremony,” she continues, nodding to the curious crowd gathering under a temporary tarpaulin. “Merlin will handover the clinic back to our health authorities. I’m making a speech for our women because this clinic makes a huge difference to us.” Mme Pilipili knows this because when her baby was born 6 months ago, she walked 6km to the nearest clinic once her contractions started. Here the steep roads often leave walkers knee-deep in mud and there was no one to help her. Since she’s been elected community leader for all mothers in Kaheku, Mme enjoys reminding them that help is now close by.