It is inspiring to work with our wonderful partners in Congo! They have so little materially, but they have the biggest hearts. Here are several stories about their generosity - and creativity in sharing. First, a word about the humanitarian crisis in Congo to which they are responding.
As explained in our May newsletter, the endemic war in eastern Congo has reached new heights in the past year. Goma is the major city to which refugees have fled because the M23 militia surrounding it have promised no attacks in its boundaries. But besides the many hundreds who have found a place in the city with families who have opened their doors to strangers, there are many thousands in camps round about. Food is scarce in the city; in the camps there is virtually nothing. Starvation and death are close at hand for people whose best hope is getting a little water from an NGO, never mind something to eat or a blanket for a newborn baby.
CCS Students Learn & Share
Mme Annourite Shabani, wife of the Community Charity School (CCS) principal, is a licensed professional seamstress. She has started Club Rafiki Cheryl to teach CCS students and some refugees to sew. They will learn a trade and provide new uniforms for themselves to replace their ragged hand-me-down's and help supply some clothing for refugees.
HAW has sent money to buy an additional sewing machine (besides Mme Annourite’s own) and fabric. Students gather after school and on weekends. They have made several trips to deliver the clothes and see the refugee situation, helping those more destitute even as they barely survive (thanks to the HAW food delivery last month). HAW hopes to buy several more sewing machines.
FEBA Supports Refugees
While themselves struggling to recover from extreme flooding and illnesses (see May news), members of FEBA have reached out to the refugees around Goma. Maman Monique, who has friends all across the country through the National Federation of Protestant Women, is in contact with those in the Goma region. Last year she sent food and clothes to Maman Jeanne in Goma for the orphans (see last December news). This time she asked us to help the refugees (with money that might otherwise have gone to feed FEBA’s own hungry).
The Federation women in Goma bought food and made sacks of cassava, rice, beans, salt, and a bit of dried fish for each family, starting distribution with women with babies. Note those waiting their turn in the church; bombs and other dangers make it too difficult to try to distribute in the camps.
FEBA also sent big bundles of clothing: some donated, some bought, some sewn for this specific purpose, to help the refugees, most of whom only have what they were wearing when they fled their homes.
Reaching New Audiences
As you may have noticed, our social media presence has just taken a giant step forward! Follow us on www.facebook.com/WomanCradleofAbundance
See what our talented volunteers Riannon Zorn and Maren Sonstegard-Spray have done to give us a great new start. (Dinosaur Elsie is most grateful that people who know the business are leading us now.)
Plus we have now added Instagram and TikTok, thanks to our newest board member, our talented and very savvy Emily Ramkishun. Do check these out.
PLUS: To our great delight and equal surprise, we now have generous friends in the UK and Australia! MW in Melbourne found us on TikTok.
INTRODUCING EMILY RAMKISHUN
My name is Emily Devi Ramkishun. I was born in Georgetown, Guyana, now and live in Hamilton, NJ. I have just finished my junior year at TCNJ, where I am majoring in criminology and have 2 minors in graphic design and journalism. Since I was 16, I have been interested in the field of social work, especially assisting with child protection. I want to develop knowledge about the CPS industry; there are many preconceived connotations made by society to degrade this field. What is lacking, that I can contribute to?
My hobbies include cooking (mainly Caribbean dishes), drawing, reading, and riding my bicycle. Fun Fact: I have a motorcycle license and would love to get a boat license as well!
We are so glad to welcome Emily!!!
A Welcome Surprise
Congo’s new prime minister is a woman! Judith Suminwa was appointed on April 1, 2024. She began service at the end of May when Congo’s National Assembly officially approved the government. All attention is focused on conflicts in eastern Congo, so most other business, e.g., support for schools, is moving slowly.
Tragedy & Suffering
Kayiba, a 17-year old student in FEBA’s sewing school, has disappeared. She is an orphan, brought up by her grandmother who has barely been able to scrape together food and shelter while working at the most precarious jobs. Often they don’t have anything to eat, and FEBA has been providing food and transport for Kayiba and help for rent.
Several weeks ago, Kayiba left home to take the bus for the long trip to the Women’s Center for her classes, and has not been seen since. Her frail grandmother and FEBA have been seeking her in all the ways they know, but no word. The next step may be to check the city morgues for her body.
The Courage of Widows
Maman Kalubi, an elderly widow and long-time FEBA member, supports herself and “banks” her pennies in the micro-savings program. Now alone and in need, she rejoiced to have FEBA leaders Mme Nadine & Mme Judith visit her, bringing some of her savings and an additional small gift from FEBA.
Annie Mbombo is a new widow now in severe difficulties. Thanks to FEBA loans which she faithfully repaid, she worked to educate her 6 children with her small business. Recently her husband suddenly died; she had to get his body to the morgue, but had only $10. The kind taxi-driver told her to pay the morgue instead of him. After struggling to bury her husband, Annie Mbombo became seriously ill herself. Now that she is well, FEBA is giving her a new microloan from the gala Fund-A-Need, and helping her third son pay the state exam fees to complete his secondary school.
Celebrate women of courage!!! Thank you for helping them!!!
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