FEBA
Our Story
Femme Berceau de l’Abondance began in 1999 when an ecumenical group of women in Kinshasa organized this non-profit to respond to systemic poverty and violence against women in the DRC. The name they chose comes from the Bible verse John 10:10 in which Jesus says that He has come to give life abundantly. The founders of FEBA see that women – although themselves systematically marginalized – are called to be the cradle for God’s abundance and, acting in Christian faith, they are courageous enough to answer this call.
After some years of difficulty, in 2010 FEBA was relaunched by its visionary president Mme Monique Misenga Mukuna in her own home, until the new Women's Center was built. FEBA has created a community where about 1200 women gather to share their stories and envision breaking the cycle of poverty and violence.
Leaders and Teachers
Director and Administration
Monique Misenga Mukuna
President and Director
Mme Monique was educated through university in French and pedagogy. She was a secondary school teacher and principal. Then she opened her own sewing shop and created a good business with international activities. For more than 30 years she has used all her varied abilities to lead women to find their voices and develop their own skills. She serves as the Director and inspiration and practical visionary for all of FEBA’s work.
Nelly Bitota Massamba
Associate Director
Mme Nelly completed university and a masters in computers in Kinshasa; she is fluent in four languages, including English. She has experience in small business management and administration in South Africa, where she has spent many years. Nelly is apprenticing to become Director of FEBA and already making a significant impact.
Angelique Bitota Ngoyi
Market Manager and Culinary Teacher
Mme Bitota was trained in culinary skills though she has done a variety of other kinds of work. She is treasurer of FEBA and for many years has been the strong right-hand helper for Director Monique. She also has primary responsibility for the shop where FEBA's sewing creations are sold.
Nadine Biata Lukusa
Nurse and Financial Assistant
Mme Nadine is educated as a nurse. She serves FEBA as its primary medical officer, and adds various other roles as needed. She is one of Maman Monique's key assistants, taking special care of the physical needs of the students, and manages the petty cash.
Jeannette Adiyo
Office Manager
Mme Jeannette was educated as a seamstress. She has been with Maman Monique for many years as the head teacher of sewing. She has recently moved to become the senior site manager for the Women's Center.
Henriette Kibadi Nzeyi
Assistant to President for the Farm
Mme Henriette was educated as a nurse and has also done other training courses such as tie-dying and jewelry making. For many years she has served as the chief assistant to Director Monique for projects like the farm, education of children, and other roles that require a flexible schedule.
Judith Mukuna
Administrative Secretary
Mme Judith has a degree in nursing and advanced education in computer science. She is a very efficient administrative secretary; one of her particular responsibilities is bookkeeping.
Lufuluabo Fortunat
Farm Coordinator and Purchaser
M. Fortunat was an orphan whom Maman Monique adopted and sponsored through his education. He has become her main assistant for managing the farm, paying the workers and purchasing supplies; he also helps other tasks which require strength.
Mukuna Enock
General Assistant and Salesperson
M. Enock has received educational assistance from Maman Monique's family. He serves as a general assistant and salesman for the products of the sewing department and an extra pair of hands with heavy loads.
Literacy
Laurienne Mangituka
Literacy and Sewing Teacher
Mme Laurienne completed her secondary training in pedagogy and is a talented instructor for the beginning students who have never been exposed to reading or writing. She also teaches sewing.
Luyeye Christophene
Literacy and Cosmetology Teacher
Mme Christophene works with students who have some skill in reading and writing, to enable them to achieve full literacy. She also teaches cosmetology, and may provide hair styling services for local clients when the number of students allows.
Sewing School and Production Department
Monique Milolo
Lead Sewing Teacher
Mme Monique completed secondary school and began university but could not afford to continue. She enrolled in FEBA’s sewing school and excelled. After apprenticing with Maman Jeannette, Mme Monique has become the lead teacher in the sewing school.
Chantale Musau
Sewing Teacher and Production Associate
Mlle Chantale is a graduate of FEBA’s sewing school. She now serves as one of the sewing teachers and works in the production department which is an important part of the sewing program's self-support.
Fifi Nsimba Mundeke-Odito
Senior in Sewing Production
Mme Fifi is a gifted seamstress. She graduated from an earlier program which Maman Monique led. She is very talented in creating various products which FEBA sells, and so she has been able to support herself and her little daughter. She is the leader in making school uniforms, an important contribution to the sewing program's self-support.
Miriam Esombo Malinga
Leader in Production
Mme Miriam completed secondary school but found that her sewing skills were not sufficient to support herself. She enrolled in FEBA’s sewing school and excelled, becoming the top graduate in the national exams. Now she serves as one of the leaders in the production department which contributes to the sewing school's self-support.
Mireille Ngomba
Production Associate and Saleswoman
Mlle Mireille is a graduate of FEBA’s sewing school and excelled, second in the national exams after her classmate Miriam. Now she doubles as a leader in the production department and manager of FEBA's little shop outside the Women's Center where some of the sewing articles are sold on-site. (Other items go to the central market in down-town Kinshasa.)
Elonga Fifi
Production Associate
Mme Elonga is a widow from another province. She came to her husband's family in Kinshasa with her baby son when her husband died. She enrolled in the FEBA sewing school while selling peanuts to support her baby. After she graduated, her in-laws kept the boy and kicked her out. FEBA has become her adopted family and she serves in the production department to help support the school.
Kisanga Omega
Production Associate
Mlle Kisanga Omega is a graduate of FEBA’s sewing school. She works now in the sewing production department which contributes to the sewing school's self-support, and assists with the sewing students. During her studies she became very ill with tuberculosis and owes her life to FEBA's care.
Pamungu Maro
Production Associate
Mlle Maro is a graduate of the FEBA sewing school and works now in the production department which contributes to the sewing school's self-support..
Lumbaya François
Production Associate and Assistant Chaplain
M. François is a specialist in "siffilage," a popular form of decorative sewing which requires an electric machine and considerable skill. He also assists with the community devotions when Mme Monique or other leaders are not available.
Computer Science
Bayingana Ndala Miriam
Computer Teacher
Mme Miriam is the talented computer teacher and assists in keeping digital records for FEBA. At times she also assists with literacy classes as needed.
Kanyinda Tresor
Computer Services and Financial Consultant
M. Kanyinda earned a university degree in computer science and has an advanced degree. He is employed in a local school, managing all its technology. He is consultant and occasional teacher for FEBA.
Cosmetology
Makanda Maguy
Cosmetology Teacher and Stylist
Mme Maguy teaches in the small cosmetology program. She also serves as a stylist for the local community when the number of students allows. Practicing her profession helps advertise the skills which the program offers.
Semi-Retired
Antoinette Muleka
Medical and Educational Associate, semi-retired
Mme Antoinette was educated as a laboratory technician and worked in the Kinshasa blood bank until she was widowed and lost her job. For many years she served as the main teacher of reproductive health and life skills for FEBA’s members and students, and led the tie-dye project. Now semi-retired, she continues counseling as her health allows.
Ernestine Mianda
Literacy Teacher, semi-retired
Mme Mianda has various kinds of training, in business and literacy and child development. For many years she was the main literacy teacher for FEBA’s students. Now she continues to support the work as her health allows.
The Women's Center
Because the problems of crippling poverty and violence against women are complex and far-reaching, FEBA's approach is multifaceted and growing, but the central role of the Women's Center remains a constant.
The architect's drawing is definitely idealized! In reality, the Center is located on a narrow street and is surrounded on all sides by one-story houses. The building was begun in 2014, completed in 2018, with additions in 2023.
The Center is the beating heart driving of all of FEBA's Kinshasa initiatives. It provides space for the monthly fellowship gatherings, where women also bring their meager savings to participate in micro savings and microloan programs. Its classrooms serve the vocational programs, literacy lessons, gender equality and human rights education, and commercial skills training. It is the place where women come for refuge, for counseling, for food from the FEBA farm and medical assistance. There is a small residential area for occasional needs, and on the ground floor office space for FEBA leadership.
Inauguration
The Center was officially inaugurated in July 2023, when North American visitors, representing all who had supported the building, came to celebrate with FEBA. The women are so proud to have their own place! The Center's assembly area accommodates about 120, but many more wanted to share the event, so after the ribbon cutting and speeches, the rest of the celebration was held in a church.
Maman Monique's Story
Cradling Abundance is the inspiring story of how one African Christian woman has empowered women and fought systemic poverty in her community and across the Democratic Republic of the Congo.