Women
Of Congo
Women are the backbone of society in the DR Congo. The Women of Congo program aims to help heal the physical, emotional and spiritual wounds, while providing practical training-literacy, language, arts and vocational skills.
ABOUT WOMEN OF CONGO
Women of Congo (WOC) rehabilitates, trains, equips and empowers the women of DR Congo and reminds them of their invaluable roles in society. The end result is a restoration of dignity and self esteem as the women reintegrate and contribute to society. Women graduate in tight knit groups that provide ongoing support for women-led business collaborations.
WOC works to strengthen women's capacity to act by helping them develop their knowledge and skills, promoting self-confidence and facilitating access to resources. Many of the women have been through unimaginable abuse and assaults. They go to WOC when they have no other place to turn. WOC empowers them by reminding them how precious and vital they are to their families and communities. WOC trains women in literacy, financial literacy and social etiquette aiding them as they reintegrate into society and start their own businesses. WOC equips them by providing facilities as well as sewing machines and other tools to teach them how to make clothing, other goods and trades. The training they receive, the businesses the women set up and the newfound self confidence they gain, empower the WOC to step into their God-given roles in society.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
In the Women of Congo program, women delve into the Word of God. WOC teaches that real, lasting change cannot occur outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we teach the subject of transformation, it always begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is through Christ’s healing and renewal that the women are able to realize their full potential to step into the lives God had always planned for them.
IMPACT
Women and girls discover their true identity in the Lord, rebuild self-confidence, become agents of change in their communities and discover their personal life mission
Women become financially independent by embodying the spirit of resourcefulness, creativity and initiative through entrepreneurship
Women regain mental, emotional and spiritual balance
Women become leaders who return to their homes and empower other women in their communities to become leaders
Women become change agents and contribute financially to their household expenses
INFLUENCE
Training Center in Katoyi completed and operational for training and income-generating activities
1,592 women trained directly since January 2021 – 9,188 since the start of the program
39 small women's groups in which 585 women are trained by women leaders
20 groups have common economic activities for the financial autonomy of women
$31,000 annual budget
TESTIMONIALS
“I don't know who I would be if I hadn’t met the Women of Congo program. This program opened my eyes. I was already destroyed by the weight of Congolese customs which made me believe that I was of no value, only because I was a woman. Today I know who I am and I feel useful to my community. I became a leader.”
— Mama Annette
“The abuse I have suffered since I was a child had negatively impacted my life – I felt very inferior, I felt dirty, unimportant. I thought I was created only to give pleasure to men, to take care of children in the household, etc. I was not allowed to speak in front of men, I was not allowed to have an income, I had to depend on my husband who did not care about my needs, let alone my children. Thanks to the training received in the ‘Awakening of the Women of the Congo’ program, I found my place as a woman; I am healing from my inner wounds. I know that my life does not depend on my husband but on God. I am a wonderful creature and now I know that God has a wonderful plan for my life.”
— Madame Kahindo
FREQUENTLY ASKED WOMEN OF CONGO QUESTIONS
What is the biggest challenge women face? +
Change has never been easy, but it is possible. This is the reason “a new day" exists. A woman is encouraged to believe what the Word of God says about her and not what customs and culture say about her. People will value her based on how much she values herself. Women learn to appreciate and value themselves through Christ first, before those around them can appreciate them.
What is the key to reaching more women in Goma which has a population of over 2 million people? +
We’ve found that many of our women come to us through word of mouth. Sometimes it’s through someone who attended our Leadership Academy, or through our Sons of Congo program, our Primary school, or some who simply heard of Un Jour Nouveau and the work that we do.
How does the program change women's lives for the better (at home and in their communities)? +
Women learn to value themselves and their roles in their home and communities. They are empowered to step up and step into whatever plans God has for them. They are given literacy training, financial literacy training and they learn a trade that further boosts their confidence. As a result, they are no longer held back by what they view as inadequacy.