NEWS FROM THE CONGO

Rebellious Dreamers in the DRC
We hear from the Rebellious Dreamers group, women who accompanied First Step Initiative founder Chingwell Mutombu to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in late 2011. The women were looking forward to connecting face to face with the women whose dreams they have helped make possible. Did the trip meet their expectations? Let’s find out!

Click here to read the Rebellious Dreamers interview!

 

SUCCESS  STORIES

Stephanie is almost 50 years old and has eight children—five of whom are currently in school. Stephanie used her first loan from First Step Initiative to purchase food items to sell in the market. Soon Stephanie had raised enough money to pay back her loan. More...

Seraphine has big dreams. The 43-year-old mother hopes to see each of her nine children attend university. At around $50 per semester, a college education is something that most families in the DRC simply cannot afford. But with the profits from her small business, Seraphine is on her way to making this dream a reality. More...

Charlotte is a 52-year-old mother of eight who has started her own business selling second-hand clothes that she buys in town. Of her eight children, ages 7 to 20, four are currently in school and four have yet to go. More...

Read more success stories...

 


    QUICK  FACTS

    • A $150 donation is enough for a woman in the Congo to start a business that will support and feed her family. When she repays her loan, the money is then be loaned again to another woman.


    • First Step Initiative is currently working with over 700 women who have received microloans.


    • First Step Initiative focuses on financing women because when women generate income through their business activities, they invest their earnings in improving the lives of their children and families.

    Learn more...