The socioeconomic situation of our country, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is precarious. The unemployment rate is very high, and in many cases, a family can afford to send only one or two children to school at a time. Often, boys are selected first, which means girls are left at home. Many of these girls become mothers before the age of maturity. This is why my husband, Léonard, and I are keen to help young women and give them back the value they have lost in the eyes of society.
We launched a sewing-skills training course for the young women of the community of Maluku, about 20 miles up the Congo River from Kinshasa. We partner with local churches that are in touch with young mothers, ages 15-25, who are unable to attend school and do not yet have skills to earn money. Despite our own financial limitations, we embarked on this project to reduce unemployment and prostitution among women. Concurrently with this project, we have been immensely blessed by a woman in the United States who makes "Days for Girls" reusable hygiene kits and provides them to us free of charge. We distribute these kits to girls at several orphanages and schools across southern Congo. Most girls cannot afford sanitary napkins, so they stay at home during their monthly cycle.
Our daughter, Dedrinelle, who is studying medicine, helps with the education that accompanies our distribution. Sex education is not taught in schools. Most parents consider it taboo and don’t discuss it with their daughters. Consequently, girls are left to learn about their menstrual cycle on the street. This often leads to confusion, shame and sometimes disastrous consequences. By providing Christian education on God’s plan for the gift of our sexuality, along with training on how to make use of the "Days for Girls" kits, more girls are staying in school. More importantly, they catch a new vision for their dignity as persons wonderfully made in God’s image.
Léonard, Dedrinelle and I are happy to invest in the supervision, support and education of vulnerable girls in Maluku and elsewhere. It is a joy to see young mothers emerge from bearing the humiliation of their condition. We want to teach them skills and knowledge that they aren’t taught elsewhere. It is our sincere hope that, in time, these young mothers will learn to make the "Days for Girls" kits right here in Maluku.
We have already purchased three sewing machines and have 25 young women eager to learn sewing skills. We also hope they will engage in helping others value and care for their bodies.
Watch a video of the "Days for Girls" program and soccer camps, which are another way to affirm young women’s dignity and worth.
