Why do we work in DR Congo?
Imagine that you never feel safe, not even in your own home.
You are perpetually at risk of violence, rape, theft, famine and disease.
You, or someone close to you, has been the innocent victim of an endless, senseless and brutal war.
This is today's DR Congo.
Although a peace accord was signed in 2003 to end a devastating civil war, violence still rages—and women bear the brunt. With your help, Women for Women International in DR Congo is working with women to rebuild their lives.
Download the DR Congo PDF to learn more
What you help us do in Congo
Our programs in DR Congo include direct financial aid, rights awareness classes, job-skills training and emotional support. The one-year program was developed for DR Congo’s special challenges and demands, and includes vocational training that helps women earn an income and support themselves, through:
Tie-dyeing – because tie-dyed fabrics are very popular and can be sold in both local and global markets
Ceramics production – to give women the skills they need to create practical household items for sale in local markets
Bread-making – for program participants to learn the basics of baking and earning an income from the sale of baked goods
Other courses include:
- Agriculture
- Beauty care
- Culinary arts
- Soap-making
- Retail sales
- Tailoring
Our Success
Women for Women International has operated in DR Congo since 2004. We are privileged to have Christine Karumba as our Country Director, overseeing programs that have helped more than 39,000 women.
Of Women for Women International-DR Congo program participants and graduates:
- 88% report improvements in both physical and mental health
- 83% report improvements in their economic situation
- 77% are using skills from job-skills training to earn an income
- 85% are actively participating in key household decisions
- 98% of participants leave the program with knowledge of their legal rights
- 90% of women train and mentor other women in their communities
Meet Lucienne
Lucienne, a victim of rape in the DR Congo, is a single mother of three daughters. Lucienne's husband was away when men entered her home in December 2006.
Lucienne describes the horror that happened next: "When we got to the bush, they pulled me down to rape me in front of my brother...As he hid his face in shame, they struck him with a gun and pulled him away to kill him."
Lucienne spent three-and-a-half months as a sex slave, becoming pregnant with a child.
Upon return to her village, Lucienne's husband shunned her from the community. Lucienne needed help, and she came to Women for Women International. Lucienne reflects that, "Joining the program has been a salvation...my life has changed and my children are healthy. I recovered confidence through the [Women for Women International] training."
