Winnipegger 'beyond words' proud of friend Denis Mukwege's Nobel Peace Prize

Mukwege, a gynecologist treating victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, isone of two recipients of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

"It's quite beyond words," said Winnipeg-based music producer DarcyAtaman.

Ataman, founder of the internationaltherapy program and charityMake Music Matter, said Friday's announcement "was very surreal considering I was just with him in Congo about a month ago andto go from that back home to Canada and receive word that he justly won the Nobel isI honestly just don't have words."

Ataman brought Mukwege to Winnipeg in 2014 where he gave a lectureat the University of Manitobaand received an honorary doctorate from the University of Winnipeg for his work.

Mukwegeis the founder and medical director of the Panzihospital in eastern Congo, which offers free care for female sexual assault survivors and has become known as a refuge.

It is estimated more than a millionwomen in the war-torn regionhave been raped or severely mutilated. The Panziintegratespsychological and physical treatment with social support to help women cope with the stigma many face after anassault.

In 2013, Atamantravelled to the eastern Congo and worked withMukwegeto implement his music programfor victims of war, sexual violence and AIDS.

Since then, small recording studios have been set up in hospitals, schools and community centres to give victims a chance to open up through music.

Specially trained psychologists work with producers in theprogram known in the Congo as Healing In Harmony to help participants heal by writing and recording songs about their emotions and experiences.

"The artists come in, write and record songs about their experiences with a local music producer and a local psychologistthat unlocks trauma that has never been talked about," Ataman said in a previous interview.

The songs are written and recorded in Africa, thensent via the internettoMetalworksStudios in Mississauga, Ont., for post-production.They get played on radio stations and sometimes released as albums, helping to empower the artists in their recovery.

Last month, Atamanwas in the Congo withMukwegeto planhow to expand Healing and Harmony tosites throughout Africa and parts of the Middle East.

With files from Meaghan Ketcheson