Ongoing Projects Congo development health women

HandUp Congo supports the efforts of the resourceful Fondation Lucie Otaenga (FLO), a grassroots nonprofit developed by Congolese women in the village of Lotumbe, Equatorial Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. FLO’s founders, Chantal Befeko and Antoinette Mapele Bolembo, are transforming their village as the result of a gift from HandUp Congo's founders: two manual sewing machines, fabrics and supplies to produce surgical gowns, sheets, and doctors’ and nurses’ uniforms to the local hospital.

From the gift of two sewing machines an exciting and varied range of new initiatives by the villagers has evolved. HandUp Congo seeks funding partners to carry out other initiatives they and their community have identified.

Properly outfitted doctors, nurses, & patients
— a program that continues today.

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FLO Sewing School.
After supplying the hospital, Chantal and Antoinette started a sewing school where local women learn new skills that generate income for their families.

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Prenatal Care.
Sewing students produce newborn shirts and blankets that they give, free of charge, to attract pregnant mothers to the hospital for prenatal exams and to give birth.

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Education Support.
Sewing students make uniforms for school children.

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Income Generation.
Neighbors in the surrounding area heard about the sewing school and began paying to have items made. Profits are paying for:

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A Start-Up Microbusiness.
Women operate a small ‘cafe’ outside the hospital.

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Health initiatives.
Sewing school profits have paid to:
- purchase mosquito nets for mothers & infants
- pay hospital fees for women too poor to afford medical treatment.
- build a community garden where fast-growing, nutritious vegetables supplement the local fish-based diet and combat malnutrition.

A savings-based microfinance program continues.

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What began as experimental community garden expands to individual households.

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A community store finds a permanent, more secure home.

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One motorized canoe brings the regional doctor to remote villages. Another serves as a floating general store.

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