Our Projects
Mama Cecile's is dedicated to providing resources to empower the small, fishing village of Kyavinyonge in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our work centers around meeting direct needs and equipping local families to support themselves over time. Learn more about our projects and join us in supporting the lives of families in Congo.
Education
Vocational training can be a powerful tool for equipping people with practical skills and knowledge that lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. At Mama Cecile's we provide practical education in skills that lead to jobs or business opportunities.
Tailoring
Tailoring is a prevalent trade in Eastern Congo. Learning this skill enables trainees to create their own clothing and design products to sell to others. Trainees make uniforms for the orphan students each year. They also are seeking more resources to produce reusable sanitary pads for menstrual health of the women and girls.
Salon skills
Participants are taught hairdressing, barbering, and salon management skills. Trainees find opportunities to learn braiding techniques and fade styles, as well as customer service. They can take these skills and build their own businesses.
mechanic
Learning to repair vehicles opens up many job opportunities, providing skills that are always in demand and can lead to a stable and rewarding career.
Cooking for nutrition
We train caretakers on how to cook nutritious meals to ensure a balanced diet. These women also help cook the meals for our weekly feeding program. This training addresses the malnourishment of many children in the area. Due to the lack of fish in the lake, many families are eating only simple carbohydrates, like bugali from cassava flour, and need to know about more sources of protein, such as beans. These beans are also grown in our agriculture project.
Economic Empowerment
Economic empowerment focuses on providing people, mostly women, with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to achieve financial independence and stability. By offering vocational training, access to microfinancing, and support for entrepreneurship, they can start their own businesses, secure employment, and participate fully in the economy. This empowerment not only improves the lives of the women and their families but also strengthens communities and fosters economic growth across the region.
Microfinance savings group
Microfinance is a non-traditional and community-based form of small loans. Funds are generated by the members of the group through a rotation of savings contributions. Members of the group not only benefit from receiving a small loan to start a business or address an emergency financial issue, they develop strong social ties and discuss solutions to community issues.
agriculture
We operate a small farm in collaboration with local partners to grow crops that feed the community. Crops we grow, such as beans and greens, feed hundreds of children weekly during our meal distributions. Since we began in 2019, we have distributed over 285,000 meals to orphans and children malnourished due to poverty.
Community Building
Community-building projects, like youth soccer programs and partnerships with local organizations, have a profound impact on communities in need. Engaging local partners amplifies these benefits by leveraging local knowledge, resources, and networks. This collaboration helps create sustainable initiatives tailored to the community's specific needs, encourages community ownership, and strengthens social bonds, ultimately leading to a more resilient and cohesive community.
soccer teams
Soccer for youth engagement provides a safe and structured environment for young people to develop teamwork, leadership skills, and discipline. It also fosters social connections and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for emotional and social development. During training sessions, coaches also host forums to discuss community health and safety issues such as early teen pregnancy and child soldier recruitment.
Community partnerships
We prioritize meaningful partnerships with local community leaders to ensure projects remain relevant and responsive. We are grateful to the many community volunteers, organizations, and churches that support our work every day. These partnerships are crucial to building a resilient community for everyone in Kyavinyonge.
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International partners such as Legs for Africa helped 6 of our disabled community members receive much-needed physical therapy and prosthetics.