Much has been written about the mass rapes of Eastern Congo, mutilations and other inhumane violence that women are being subjected to by rebels and armed forces. Additionally, women struggle to receive an education and to make a living for their families, being too often abandoned by the men who gave them children.
To address this latter issue and provide life-long solutions, Espoir Congo offers struggling women, orphaned or underprivileged teenage girls, and unwed mothers opportunities for education, employment and micro-enterprise.
Tailoring classes are offered to unwed teenage mothers, as well as to orphaned girls. Espoir Congo sponsors training and materials for 15 of them.
Agriculture is also made available to destitute single mothers to help feed their families and pay school fees.
Espoir Congo’s medical center is being run by Florence (pictured above), a registered nurse and midwife.
Ante- and post-natal care and education are given to expecting and new mothers at Kikimi.
Women are also employed at the primary school as teachers.
The school's medical center employs nursing assistants, and tailors are also trained and hired to produce school uniforms.
Several women are benefitting from the micro-enterprise program, which is enabling them to for example, cover the tuition fees for their children to attend school, or pay for their own university studies.
Espoir Congo has also provided a number of women with secretarial training to improve their employable skills.