Our partners are so important and we accomplish a lot together. Take a look below to learn about some of the individuals and communities we work with.

Our first cooperative in Aru began with a simple request. While volunteering in the Congo, I met a young woman named Marie. She was a sewing instructor at the all-girls high school in our village. Marie asked me if I could help build a home for her family. Recognizing her talents as a seamstress, I asked if she could make 25 handbags for me to sell to family and friends in the U.S. For two years following, she and several other women in the village made and shipped me handbags made from beautiful African printed cotton that I could sell during the Christmas season. In 2014, I returned to Congo to meet with the women and together we established the first-ever artisan cooperative in northeastern DRC. At that time, we weren't sure what our business model would look like, but what we did know is that my year spent as a volunteer in Africa changed so many lives, including mine. Since then, we have provided sewing classes and business education to more that 250 women across Congo. A day never goes by when I am not inspired by the creativity and resilience of our artisans.

Katie Patrick, Founder

The cooperative in Watsa started in 2017 when our instructors in Aru were invited to travel to the interior of Congo to a village called Mangoro, which is located right next to Watsa. Totonga Bomoi provided three months of intensive sewing instruction to 30 women living in Mangoro, Watsa, and surrounding villages. All of these villages are located next to a large goldmine in Durba. The poverty in this part of Congo is severe. Because of its location deep in the jungle, it is difficult for many people including businesses and healthcare workers to access. Many of those who work at the mines spend their money on alcohol, which contributes to a lot of economic and social despair. Quite a few of the women we work with have either been abandoned by their partner, or are caring for grandchildren because their own children have either died or left. It is a desperate place, which is why we intend to continue serving here. In 2021, most of the 30 students have also participated in our business education training. We are now supporting them in cooperative formation. If you would like to learn more, or help with start-up costs such as rent for their boutique/workshop, sewing machines, and modest stipends, please click the donate link above.

BONIFACE TATSIMA, Program Manager DRC