Since 2014, we have impacted the lives of more than 428 men, women, and children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are at the forefront of authentic development where skill meets compassion and commitment eliminates poverty.
Our ROOTS
Our first cooperative meeting was held in the village of Aru in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2014. Our founder, Katie (Hile) Patrick gathered with ten local, Congolese women to create the first-ever artisan co-op in northeastern DRC. Due to the lack of government presence and support, local initiatives, such as cooperatives are key to the positive growth and formation of communities across the developing world. In 2015, we partnered with Alternativ, to provide an interactive, discussion-based Entrepreneurial Training Curriculum that empowers our artisans to leave behind a life of poverty and vulnerability by learning to implement ethical and effective business skills. Our cooperative was never the same.
“This [business training] has shown me all the possibilities in life that I never knew existed.””
Our Pillars
HANDCRAFTED TO SERVE
We educate and invest in our artisans and entrepreneurs so that they can create and manage successful businesses of their own.
In 2020, our artisan cooperative in Aru, Congo served 778 customers.
From 2018 to 2020, we maintained Fair Trade Federation verification, which meant that every item you purchased from our artisans was ethically-sourced in accordance with the highest of standards reflecting our deep commitment to the principles and values of fair trade.
ENTREPRENEUR EMPOWERMENT
We educate and invest in artisans and entrepreneurs so that they can create and manage successful businesses of their own.
Since 2016, we have provided sewing training to 76 women through our Apprenticeship Program.
In 2018, Totonga Bomoi partnered with the parishioners of the Římskokatolická farnost děkanství Polička Catholic Church in the Czech Republic to raise funds to support Félix, a Congolese entrepreneur, so that he could launch his own bakery (Bread of Life) in Congo.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Apprentices learn how to make school uniforms so that they can start earning an income almost immediately after completing our sewing and business trainings. During their training, uniforms they make are given to orphans and other families in need.
Our cooperative members always take care of each other. When any member or apprentice encounters a family, financial, or health-related obstacle, our cooperative takes up a collection to help out that individual.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND HUMAN DIGNITY
We value and engage in economic principles that respect the dignity of our artisans. Monthly cooperatives meetings are held to ensure that all members have the opportunity to voice their concerns and problem-solve together.
Totonga Bomoi has provided community supports, not just for those enrolled in classes or part of the cooperative. In 2017, a young man approached our cooperative for help. He never attended school, had no home, no food, and no money. Our cooperative welcomed him in and offered to teach him some basic sewing, and he was a part of our community until he passed away in November 2018 from complications with diabetes. Every day, he worked alongside our artisans and had friends to talk with him, teach him, laugh with him, and care for him. He will be missed.
CREATED TO INSPIRE
Your donations impact sustainable growth and development in Congo.
Totonga Bomoi has been invited to implement our Apprenticeship Program in multiple villages throughout northeastern Congo.
Your donations sustain our work by allowing us to continuously provide technical skills training and business education to aspiring entrepreneurs across the Congo. We are deeply grateful for your support and would not be here without you. Thank you!