Learning is for Health

It’s never too late to learn! FEBA sponsors health seminars for its members. To make it more effective, smaller groups of women attend each (identical) seminar.

Maman Monique introduces Dr. Muepu, who explains how to stay safe in a world full of disease. Ebola is in the news, but typhoid is a much more common ill which, combined with endemic malaria, is a major cause of death for malnourished elderly or children or even “healthy’ adults. For those whose education was very limited, learning about germs and how to prevent common infections is new and important.

Students are encouraged to ask questions, and they also express their appreciation.

31 Sixth-Grade Grads

They don’t give up! Despite war all around, despite Ebola hovering nearby, the students and teachers of Community Charity School (CCS) in Goma have persevered… to come to graduation. Passing the state exams is another feat, yet here they are! Celebrate with us!!

Fun with FEBA Clothes

Thanks to the PC(USA) Synod School (Synod of Lakes and Prairies), in late July Elsie (McKee) and Sarah (Dickinson) had the chance to tell interested new friends about Maman Monique and her home world in Congo, and set up a very popular market for FEBA creations.

Check out the article: https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2026/8/7/moyo

Here you see some of the happy participants in their bright new shirts and dresses.

Continuing Challenges

East: War and Disease

    M23 and their Rwandan supporters were supposed to be gone from Goma by July 15, but they are still present, still killing: going into houses and dragging people out to abuse or murder them.

    Ebola is spreading. Mercifully, so far no one from CCS has died of disease or random murder.

    This is the context in which CCS classes will begin in a few weeks. Some school supplies are being bought but they are waiting for funding for a new photocopier to replace the one stolen in Jan. 2025.

West: Inflation and Disease

     Cost of transport is so high in Kinshasa that many students cannot get to sewing class, and FEBA can no longer subsidize. It has gone from $2/day (about what a poor person lives on) to $5/day.

     High prices mean more food insecurity. HIV/AIDS medicines cost more but are also much harder to find at all since the loss of USAID.

     Climate change has played havoc. After months of the “rainy season” when the temperature never got below 90, the chill winds of the summer “dry season” have brought down malnourished bodies, and sickness and death are taking a heavy toll.

     But the new school year is coming, and FEBA is preparing to provide the children with uniforms and school supplies…

OUR PARTNERS NEVER GIVE UP!!!

A Peek at New Homes

One sign of hope is the building of new houses in Munene village, near Uvira, step by step. Foundations have been laid, bricks made, houses are going up…. More next time…