News Briefs
2007
Microfinance Internship for FLO President
Thanks to connections made by HandUp Congo, FLO president Chantal Bolingo interned with Hope International to prepare Lotumbe to be a pilot savings-based microfinance project. Director Lucy Hobgood-Brown connected HandUp Congo with CNEC Partners International in Australia, which funded Chantal's travel and living expenses.
Lotumbe Loan Fund Grows
Donor gifts funded FLO's own small loan fund in fall 2006, starting with 23 borrowers. More than 40 are now being served as repaid loans with interest growing the fund.
Director Trip to Congo Makes Connections
Director Lucy Hobgood-Brown participated in an action-packed, self-funded trip to Congo as part of a medical and community development team working on projects in Goma, eastern Congo, and, on behalf of CNEC Partners International, evaluated a variety of Australian-sponsored projects. She also explored links for projects in Goma, Lotumbe and Kinshasa -- the power of two continues to be multiplied many times!
Widows Fund
HandUp Congo, in partnership with CNEC Partners International and Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, has launched an income-generating project to support vulnerable widows. You can help.
Eyecare Initiative
Remember our eyeglass collection? This project spurred a partnership with a range of eye care organizations, as well as Congo's Ministry of Health. In July 2007 experts met in Kinshasa, Congo's capital, to plan a range of potential training programs. Stay tuned!
New Projects Funded
Proceeds from Fran Zone's 2006 World of Good Holiday Auction purchased a motorized dugout canoe for Lotumbe’s doctor, who has regional responsibilities. He coordinates his travel with market days in neighboring villages and thus simultaneously expand trade possibilities for Lotumbe.
With the rest of our auction proceeds and support from other generous donors, HandUp Congo is funding additional health care projects as well as education support, including books for the school library and additional training for the teachers.
We purchased a laptop computer, which will greatly aid the doctor, teachers, and our FLO partners, all of whom share the computer. They can’t access the Internet in Lotumbe, but their record-keeping burdens are greatly lessened. Another donated NEW laptop would be a wonderful gift!
Sanyo Oceania Pty Ltd donated a state-of-the-art digital movie camera, which FLO can use to document its projects and keep its partners in the loop.
LATE 2006
Fondation Lucie Otaenga received official status as a non-governmental organization in Congo.
General Store Opened!
A hugely successful general store allows the local population to buy necessities that would otherwise entail a week of paddling in each direction to the nearest large town.
Sewing School Expanded!
A US Embassy grant we wrote in April 2006 is rehabilitating a larger space for the sewing school -- and has purchased more machines and supplies. Aid for Africa Down Under in Australia transported donated sewing supplies and medical goods for Lotumbe; these arrived in late 2006.
Media Awareness & Fundraising Successes
Fall 2006 saw lots of media attention for HandUp Congo thanks to San Francisco's KGO-TV and the amazing Fran Zone and her Holiday World of Good Auction benefiting HandUp Congo. More...
