Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion campaign is helping people like Irene from the Democratic Republic of Congo to secure a brighter future for herself and her family.
Irene is a 25-year-old single mother of two boys. After her father died in conflict, Irene, along with her mother and siblings, was displaced. Her mother became the sole breadwinner for the family and despite the difficulties in affording school fees, Irene attended school for as long as she could.
When Irene was a teenager, she became pregnant and was subsequently abandoned by her child’s father not long after the baby was born. Irene’s lack of education and limited job opportunities further complicated her ability to support her family’s basic needs.
Thanks to Caritas Australia’s partners, Caritas Kongolo, Irene was able to join the “Youth Capacity Strengthening Program” and take up a sewing course. She also attended agricultural training sessions, enabling her to grow and produce food for her family.
Irene’s newfound skills not only provide financial stability to her family but have also enabled her to take on a mentoring role, training other young women to sew.
“With the earnings from this job, I can not only buy my own clothes but also for my family members … Regarding the children I send to school, there are my orphaned nephews from my late brother. I make sure to provide for all their needs,” Irene said.
“Our lives are so different now. Before, women depended on men’s income, but now, with our sewing skills, we can take care of ourselves.”
Irene is currently safe amid the worsening conflict in the DRC as the fighting has not reached her diocese. However she is feeling the pressure of rising prices of household necessities.
Details: Project Compassion.
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Project Compassion helps Irene secure a brighter future for herself and her family (Caritas Australia)
