Past Events Spring 2009
In March and April 2009, AFRICaide hosted Marceline Kongolo-Bice in Madison. Marceline is the founder and Managing Director of SOS-FED (S.O.S. Femmes en Danger), another Congolese NGO that works with rape victims. SOS-FED is currently developing a number of programs and attempting to take new approaches to women’s rights and protection in Congo. These include:
-Developing a community radio program organized and produced by women in Kazimia (an especially afflicted community South of Uvira) so they can share their stories with larger audiences to reduce the feeling of isolation in their plight.
-For 2009, a small program to purchase and distribute manioc (cassava) flour mills, which will allow women in the community farm programs to find a broader market for their produce and to get fair prices. The difference between fields with mills and those without is significant.
-SOS-FED is also in the process of reaching out to NGOs and private donors to find dependable means of transportation between city centers and villages without access to roads.
During Marceline Kongolo-Bice’s visit, thanks to the generosity of friends and community members, AFRICaide was able to raise funds to help SOS-FED begin implementing some of the above programs. To date, these funds have helped purchase two motorcyles and pay school fees, uniforms, and supplies for a limited number of children. The all-terrain motorcycles will reduce SOS-FED’s reaction time to violations and allow them to carry out more extensive follow-ups.
AFRICaide was also able to provide financial support to Enfants d’Uvira, a local Congolese organization that provides educational programs to orphans and poor children. It endeavours to pay school fees for hundreds of children registered at the center, but needs regular funding to sustain its programs, including its small computer center that introduces students to information technology. Enfants d’Uvira also supports a small library and a community farm.
August 23, 2008
We want to thank everyone who came to “Building a Future for Congo’s Kids”, a benefit for Mutuelle Jeunesse Active (MJA) on August 23, 2008 at the Wil-Mar Center on Jenifer Street in Madison, Wisconsin.
The benefit was a great success: we raised approximately $2000 dollars to support MJA's work in Eastern Congo. It was such a wonderful show of support for a fraction of the population of South Kivu province who continue to suffer. We really appreciate everyone's enthusiasm for the cause. We hope everyone had a good time and learned something new about both the current situation in Congo and the ways in which AFRICaide helps provide a better future for children and youth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Thank you to all those who assisted with the setup, food preparation, performances, staffing different tables, and coordination of the event!
Proceeds of this fundraiser have made a real difference in Uvira, in South Kivu province. The money raised was used to purchase school supplies, pay school fees, organize peace building workshops and HIV/AIDS education programs, and to purchase soccer gear for youth of MJA . Schooling is the best way to reduce the number of street children as conflict in the region continues to break families, leaving children to fend for themselves. Part of the money was used to support a self-sustaining community farm program, which gives women some income to help care for their children. The farm program targets single and abandoned mothers exclusively.
Miel Musingi Kiragi tending the Enfants d'Uvira bee farm, June 2009, photo by Vincent Elocho
November 12,2005
"Mahôla ma Bôt." (Help to the People)
A Benefit Dinner for the Bôtbéa Health Center In Cameroon
Town of Middleton Center
7555 W. Old Sauk Road
Verona, WI 53593
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