TESTIMONIALS
Meet the people that your investment impacted.
TESTIMONIALS
Meet the people that your investment impacted.
Adela Ruhembe
Basket Weaver
Goma, North-Kivu, DR of Congo
The loss of her husband over 15 years ago impacted her life and those of her 6 children.
Aziza Chakupewa
Basket Weaver
Goma, North-Kivu, DR of Congo
Overcoming life’s obstacles has been a fight since she became a widow over 10 years ago.
Kito Chabilwa Berta
Goat Farmer
Musenge, North-Kivu, RDC
A widow that struggles to provide a living for her two children.
Furaha Faida
Basket Weaver
Goma, North-Kivu, DR of Congo
Single mother, struggled with the weight of meeting the need of her family
Elysée Bamwisho
Basket Weaver
Goma, North-Kivu, DR of Congo
Being the bread winner for her 7 children has been a challenge over the years.
Akida Messe
Basket Weaver
Goma, North-Kivu, DR of Congo
Single mother struggling to provide for her child and elderly grandmother.
Get to know the issues we’re working to solve in communities that we serve in Canada
Adela Ruhembe
Basket Weaver
I am Adela Ruhembe, a 68-year-old widow, responsible for a household of 6 dependents. My husband passed over 15 years ago leaving my children and I with no financial means to take care of ourselves. During all these years I never received any assistance, neither in cash nor in kind. It was a great joy for me to encounter BLFA. I received a great financial aids and was also introduced to the basket making business.
With the little savings I could do with my business, I was able to contract a loan and started another business. I would buy first necessities (Tomatoes, Salt, flour of manioc, Oil, condiments, etc.) and resell them. The combination of the receipts from both businesses allowed me to meet our monthly needs.
BLFA gave us hope and made us see the light. We are no longer afraid of the future, but now we look forward to it and to continue growing our businesses. Thank you BLFA.
Aziza Chakupewa
Basket Weaver
My name is Mrs. Aziza Chakupewa, I am 58 years old, I am a widow and responsible for my 10 children. Taking care of my children was a burden for me. I was stressed and sad to not be able to put food on the table. I spent many nights praying and crying that we will come out of this situation. God’s answer was to bring BLFA into our lives in 2020. The donations were a relief for us but the real change in my life came from learning how to make and sell baskets, a trade that I could do to survive.
My health conditions changed, and I was no longer able to make the baskets. BLFA was there for me. Not only did they help me with my health, but they also worked with me to start a business more fitted with my health. They assisted me in the transition and today I am in the ember business, I even have a warehouse for my business.
One can only imagine the type of distress I was in. Not having enough financially and having health limitations. BLFA was there for me. I am now able to take care of myself, my medical bills, my children’s education. I am happy. BLFA put a smile back on my face.
Kito Chabilwa Berta
Goat Farmer
My name is Kito Chabilwa Berta. I am 50 years old and have been widowed for over 10 years. I live with my two children and I am the sole provider. In December 2022, BLFA gifted me with goats and I learnt about the breeding process with this information I was able to raise live-stock. I am truly grateful to all of the donors. With these goats, I will be able to May God Bless you.
Furaha Faida
Basket Weaver
Separated from my husband for many years, with 4 children, I have been struggling to meet the basic needs of my family. The separation left me in a lot of pain and stress not being able to meet our monthly needs. I was striving for our survival.
I am grateful that BLFA introduced me to the basket making business. Once I started making and selling baskets, my conditions improved tremendously. I used the capital gained to start another business, which consists of the commercialization of plastics (basins, cups, dishes, etc.). Within a year, the businesses grew. A motivation to work harder and make even more profits.
I could not thank BLFA enough for its donations and training. I can testify that if it wasn’t for BLFA, if it wasn’t for this opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to take care of my children. Our lives were transformed, a great improvement in our conditions. I can now meet my family’s need, all thanks to BLFA.
Sincerely, we say thanks to BLFA for its generosity in favor of the marginalized and the most vulnerable people.
Akida Messe
Goat Farmer
My name is Akida Messe. I am 17 years old and a mother of one. I am also the caretaker to my grandmother. I hope to resume my studies in humanities one day. With the incredible donations from BLFA I can provide a better life for myself and my family.
Thank you to everyone that donated.
Elysée Bamwisho
Basket Weaver
My name is Elysee Bamwisho Mihiya, I am 54 years old, widow and responsible for my family well being. It’s been almost 10 years since my husband passed away. My life fell apart after his passing and the struggle, the difficulties, and challenges I went through since then are indescribable. My nights were full of cries and tears.
BLFA first trained me in making and selling baskets. I was also supported and assisted when I started another business reselling loincloth. Today, I sale the loincloth in different cities. I am the happies woman today because of BLFA. I was consoled, I was taught, I was trained, I was accompanied on the path to a better life.
No more sleepless nights for me. BLFA restored my hope and got me back on path of a better life.