We are learning, in spite of everything

The second trimester of Community Charity School in Goma concluded just before Easter.  See how proudly they study and take exams, in spite of war dangers continuing all around.

Spring Brunch Thanks!

What a lovely spring brunch decked out in yellow roses!  Thanks to our artistic director Susan Lidstone, it looked as if spring had come indoors.  Delicious food and a bright, cheery African market made a festive occasion.

We are very grateful to volunteers Ida Cahill, Ayushi Kagarana, and Rishi Palagummi for tending the market.  Ayushi and Rishi are students at High School North and leaders of our youth division, Hands Across the Water.

Guitarist John McGlaughlin provided a delightful medley of tunes which diners had fun identifying while they enjoyed their coffee.  Many thanks to John & to Dr. Daniel Shungu, our kind volunteer photographer.

Elsie McKee shared some stories of the amazing courage and resilience of our Congo partners: students Rosalie in Goma and Elonga Fifi in Kinshasa, and microloan recipient Maman Mushiya in Kinshasa.  A spring “Auction for Hope” invited guests to Fund-A-Need to support these orphans, widows, and their families.

THANK YOU, GENEROUS FRIENDS!

We are so very grateful to all who contributed, in person and from a distance!!!

Women’s Rights Seminar

At the recent monthly FEBA gathering 135 women, including the students in the vocational programs, delved into a very exciting study of their rights, with a presentation based on Numb. 27:1-11.

After lively small group discussions, one woman from each group reported back to the plenary.  On the right, one woman seems to want to add her thoughts: maybe the reporter missed something?

Besides the special seminar, the women continued their usual program.  In front of the woman reporting are the collection basket for the monthly offering of the Least Coin: even the poorest still find ways to share with others.  Alongside are the blue booklets in which microloan repayments and micro-savings are recorded.

THANK YOU, Nassau!

As noted in our last newsletter, the situation of those living with HIV/AIDS has become much more difficult since the USAID program was decapitated last year.

Thanks to the generosity of Nassau Presbyterian Church, a special grant will cover a year’s medication and quarterly check-ups for the 18 persons whom FEBA serves.  Like this woman, they will be able to continue to live productive, happy lives.

Farming East and West

Climate change and war have combined to make it very difficult for our partners to feed themselves.  In the east, even where fighting has move away from the villages near Uvira, it has taken courage for the women to return to their fields.  Last year’s crops were stolen by militias and the villagers fled.  Back in their homes now, the women are beginning to plant; though the growing season is half over, they work with hope for some short-term crops.

In the west, FEBA’s farm has been doing fairly well, producing a good crop of corn despite very unpredictable rains during the growing season.  A decent harvest is very important because FEBA assists a significant number of food-insecure people, especially elderly widows with no support.

The farm laborer is beating the dried, shucked corn to knock the kernels from the cobs. The corn is spread to finish drying in the sun.  Most of it will be ground into flour for the hungry, some will be sold to provide necessities such as oil with which to cook.