Christian Aid Week (10-16 May), the UKâ??s longest running fundraising week, is this year being fronted by actresses Suranne Jones and Sally Lindsay. The close friends, who became household names after their roles in Coronation Street, have just returned from seeing Christian Aid's work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Suranne and Sally visited two Christian Aid partner organisations in the capital city of Kinshasa â?? Fondation Femme Plus (FFP) and AMO Congo. FFP works with HIV positive women and young children through a network of volunteers, offering counselling, advice, care and support in finding ways to make a living. AMO Congo runs health clinics across the country and supports orphans and families affected by HIV by providing food, clothes and education and giving adults job training and business loans. Both organisations educate the communities in which they work to increase understanding around HIV and its transmission and challenge the stigma and discrimination that surrounds it.During their trip Suranne and Sally met survivors of the countries brutal conflict, including a 45 year-old woman called Ambisa who contracted HIV after being raped by soldiers. They also visited a clinic supporting thousands of children orphaned by HIV and met HIV positive women and children whose families had abandoned them because of the stigma of their status.The conflict in DRC has resulted in over 5 million deaths, more than any conflict since World War II, and HIV rates could soar as people flee to escape the fighting. In addition widespread sexual violence by soldiers and disruption to education and health services has led to increased infection rates. It is estimated that 1.3% of the 66m population are living with the virus, but that figure rises to 4.1% amongst pregnant women.In a country with valuable natural resources, including the worldâ??s largest diamond reserves, Suranne and Sally learnt that under half the population have access to clean drinking water, 76% are malnourished and life expectancy is just 45.Suranne said: â??I visited Sierra Leone with Christian Aid five years ago and am sad to say many of the stories I heard in the DRC echoed those I previously encountered. Both countries have endured years of conflict and itâ??s always the ordinary people who suffer the most. But what encourages me is seeing women and children empowered to take control of their lives, often in very dire circumstances. It is the love and dedication of organisations funded by Christian Aid which give people the opportunity to turn their lives around so please give what you can this Christian Aid weekâ??.Sally said: â??I heard very distressing stories but met incredibly inspirational people. The HIV projects which Christian Aid supports are a lifeline for people who often have nowhere else to turn. The biggest tragedy was seeing the potential of a country rich in resources that has been decimated by war and weak government, but the positive was seeing that the work of local organisations supported by Christian Aid can turn things around and really does change peopleâ??s livesâ??.To see the film click herePlease visit www.caweek.org to show your support

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