. >> reporter: her name is letitia. the rapist gave her and her baby hiv. doesn't it overwhelm you? >> it is sometimes just breaking my heart, but i feel that i'm powerless. >> reporter: but dr. mukwege is far from powerless. over two decades, he's operated on more than 45,000 rape survivors. militants in congo use rape as a weapon to frighten villagers off their land. especially if the land is rich with minerals. dr. mukwege has to ng tried to kill him. d >> i can see how women are strong to fight. this is something really pushing me to go on and say it's not the end. but you have to fight. >> reporter: dr. mukwege was here performing surgery when he learned he'd won the nobel. now his work giving care and hope is being recognized. but sadly, it's not finished. richard engel, nbc news, bukabu, congo. >> a brave hero being recognized around the world tonight. >>> still ahead this evening, beautiful coral reefs so vital to sea life. but also in danger. now the accidental discovery helping them grow in record time. discoverym grow in record time. a coffee h. rinsky's coffee house is o