Networking WORKS
Applause, please:
FLO's Microfinance Efforts
Tom Kocsis, DRC country director for FINCA International (leading microfinance organization that came to Congo in 2003),
and his wife Yvette Pennacchia recently made the 17-hour canoe trip to Lotumbe to observe FLO's micro banking efforts there.
“They are a doing a very good job,” he reports. “I like their self sufficiency, creative commercial activities
that support community development, and their savings-led micro finance model, that ensures ‘rainy day’ emergency
funds."
Speaking of one of FLO's borrowers, Tom observed, “Patience is a living example
of how microcredit works. She now has the only home in the village with an electricity generator, lots of chickens and goats,
and a small fleet of canoes that are rented out. Her daughter is also able to pay school fees."
The biggest challenge for FLO’s micro credit program, says Tom, is “more capital” and training in strategic
planning."
HandUp Congo and FLO are seeking training funds and additional capital for this
vital initiative. Might you consider giving a hand up with a donation? Leadership Training
for FLO
& Other Community Leaders
Australian Jacky
Gendre joined Lucy in Mbandaka in November, where she led a two-day leadership development workshop for more than 20 community
leaders and FLO members. Merci, Jacky!
Rotary Clubs Collaborate
with HandUp Congo and FLO
We’re thrilled to report that Rotary Clubs in the nation’s capitol, Kinshasa, have also
collaborated with HandUp Congo and FLO to launch the first Rotary Club in Congo’s Equatorial Province, in Mbandaka.
More than 200 members there are now working to foster a range of community development initiatives. Chantal Bofeko, FLO’s
president, serves on the club’s board. The Fisherman’s Wharf Club in San Francisco, the Kirkland Club in Washington
state (USA), and the Castle Hill and Wingham clubs in New South Wales, Australia, also lent support. Already, Kinshasa clubs
have worked with the Mbandaka provisional Club to bring in wheelchairs for people in need.
US Embassy
Provides Radios
HandUp Congo introduced Rev. Eliki Bonanga, legal representative of the Disciples community
in Congo (including Lotumbe village, where FLO is based) to Becky Ward, US Embassy in Kinshasa. Becky facilitated a US $15,600
grant for two-way radios that will help link Lotumbe with their peers in other remote villages.
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Australian Partners Send Medical Textbooks
to Université
Protestante au Congo
Thanks to Fiona Boyages, McGraw-Hill publishing in Sydney, hundreds of new medical textbooks
are now being catalogued by UPC's library staff and will soon be put to good use by UPC’s medical students. The
shipping was made possible by Medical Students’ Aid Project at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. A great collaborative effort!
Artists Draw
on Their Talents for Congo
Artists in Kinshasa and Taipei also collaborate with HandUp Congo. Led by
Jean-Marie Nzuzi (third from left), a Congolese artists’ co-operative has designed UPC’s Christmas cards and a
2010 calendar . The co-op also exhibited their paintings and sculptures at UPC’s Fiftieth anniversary festivities, and
contributed 50 percent of their proceeds to UPC scholarship funds – an amazing gift, considering that each member lives
on less than US$ 1 a day.
Jean-Marie and Roma Mehta (HandUp Congo director and Taipei-based
artist) co-designed FLO’s logo in 2005.
Happy Anniversary, UPC
After a turbulent
history, due to civil war and chaotic political regimes, UPC celebrated its silver anniversary in November 2009. Anne and
Lucy contributed expertise in communication and financial management, working side by side with UPC staff and other volunteers
to ensure this university’s sustainabili. For more info on UPC and its current needs, please visit www.upCongo.org.
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Farewell to a Talented FriendLéon Ngwangwata, a Kinshasa-based
artist who was active in a Congolese artists’ co-op (CAACM) that collaborates with HandUp Congo, has died of tuberculosis
(TB). The DRC ranks #10 out of the world's 22 high-burden TB countries. TB is one of the leading causes of death Congo, with
around 245,000 new cases each year and an annual death rate of 50,000. Ngwangwata was born on October 12, 1963. After
showing great talent in writing and calligraphy his colleagues suggested that he try painting. In 1987 he graduated from Kinshasa’s
Fine Arts School. For the artist, the palette was more important than realistic representations. He liked the artistic freedom
of handling and mixing colours. He held collective and individual exhibitions nationally and internationally. He was an active
member of CAACM, and participated in various projects that also supported l’Université Protestante au Congo scholarships. PHOTO: CAACM artists’ co-op members include (l to r) Léon
Ngwangwata, Diabatungi, Jean-Marie Nzuzi-Bakulu, Silva, Kayamba, Mukandila and Tshitoko. Other resources
and organizations Congo Sans Frontières Ben Affleck’s Film “Gimme Shelter”
about refugees in Congo
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