Denying death they choose to act
Torn apart by the two wars of 1996 and 1998, the Democratic Republic of the Congo suffers still today the results of this conflict and face a dangerous economic and political crisis. For several years now the women of Bukavu mobilise as members of the Association for the promotion of female entrepreneurship (APEF), our on-site partner, to ensure the survival of their families, their husbands absent at war, dead in action, unemployed or unpaid. Today several hundreds of small businesses and shops have been started and a system of micro-credits put in place. Renewed hope for hundreds of families!
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Survival becomes economic diversity
When women come to APEF it’s to take up survival actions such as selling of food goods. Little by little they can improve their revenues, obtain micro-credits and launch production activities : embroidery, woolwork, henhouses...
With APEF’s help – access to training and equipment – a light but regular economy has grown over the years, hundreds of women have improved their quality of life and in some cases even started a savings account. Their vigorous work and enthousiasm are regularly the seeds of new ideas and new activity. We say bravo and keep up this energy !
A new position in society
APEF gives women the means of acquiring a new position in society. Because they are united they are better able to demand their rights on the public markets, negotiate with suppliers and put up resistance to abuses of military power. Micro-credits provided by APEF keep them away from unscrupulous usurers. This way they get themselves out of the neglect and isolation of which they are victims. Now that they can provide for the needs of their households, particularly as concerns healthcare and education for their children, they gain creidbility not only in the eyes of their families and neighbours but also with local authorities.
In our May 2002 mail-out, we invoked a project to build a training center. 18 months later, we are pleased to announce that this strusture, still in construction, already offers several practical training courses: embroidery, woolwork, farm animal breeding. Much of the material needed for training and local economic development has already been purchased :
- 3 knitting machines and 4 sewing machines
- 4 embroidery machines
- woolwork and embroidery accessories
- fruit processing equipment
- soap factory equipment.
| APEF :
Since 1998, Frères des Hommes backs the Association for the promotion of female entrepreneurship (APEF) which regroups several hundreds of women with low incomes. In order to meet the needs of their families, these women have organised themselves in order to create their own economic activity, small shops providing a variety of products (food staples, clothing, soap…) and small service businesses.
In order to escape the claws of unscrupulous usurers who hold them captive and dependant for life, they have instored a rotative system of solidarity micro-credits, the repayment of loans provides the cash for the next loans. Besides economic development, this project improves the position and role of women in their families and communities. As well, in this region troubled politically, this project obliges dialogue between families of different ethnic origins and so contributes to obtaining peace. |
