CEML is located in the southern province of Huila and serves over 2.5 million people, many of whom have no access to medical care. While there are over 50 different tribal groups in Angola, the people have been influenced by the Portuguese who ruled the country for more than 500 years. In pre-colonial times, Angolans of various groups followed broadly similar religious traditions that revolved around venerating ancestors and worshipping territorially oriented deities under a creator high god. That religious system continues in some form in many places today. The Portuguese introduced Christianity into the Kongo kingdom in the 15th century and continued to spread Christianity in the regions inland of Luanda after the official formation of the Angolan colony in 1575. In the late 19th century, Protestant missionaries entered Angola and through the building of foundational schools and hospitals, facilitated the growth of the Protestant population to its 30% prominence to this day.