Women of Hope – Help for women and children in a battered region
Beni, the provincial capital of the North Kivu region in the Congo, looks like a besieged city. While the city center is largely safe due to the presence of UN peacekeeping troops and the Congolese army, the outskirts of the city and especially the surrounding area form a death zone that claims human lives every day. It is especially the women and children who fall victim to the rebels. More and more people are fleeing their fields to Beni. The UN now estimates that 20,000 people have fled. The consequences for the refugees are severe, but the whole region is also suffering from the situation. But there are also signs of hope. As is so often the case, it is women who take their fate into their own hands to help their children. Numerous women’s groups have emerged in which the women exchange ideas and develop ideas on how they can earn an income in order to become independent of the help of their relatives. The women are well organized and function like self-help groups with elected leaders and clear rules. All decisions are made together. Before the decision is made, there is a discussion and the arguments put forward, only if a majority supports the idea is it implemented.
Together with our local partner, CHAM (Community Hope Action Ministry), Dolsys supports 3 women’s groups in Beni. These women’s groups select 60 women who each receive a small loan for opening a business in order to earn a living. This loan is repaid by the borrowers and new groups can be formed again. As a result, a donation helps not just once but again and again and thus has a great effect. Your donation for “Women of Hope Beni” not only brings back dignity and self-confidence to the women – it also particularly helps the children of the recipients. The participation of the group in the selection of business ideas and the borrowers minimizes the risk and increases the repayment rate. Experience shows that more than 93% of the loaned funds flow back. So far 3 groups have been formed, but the need is enormous and only a few aid organizations help the refugee women and children. Further funds are urgently needed to give the victims of violence in Beni a better future.
Put a sign of hope! Help the victims of the cruel terror in Eastern Congo now. 100% of every donation is received and specifically helps to fight poverty and misery. All donors are regularly informed by us about the use of the funds. All donations are tax deductible and all donors automatically receive a donation receipt for the Fianzamt at the beginning of the new calendar year. On behalf of the women and children of Beni, we thank all supporters!
