Empowering Women

Sewing for Life:

Empowering Vulnerable Women in Eastern DR Congo

The Sewing for Life project is a holistic initiative dedicated to empowering the most vulnerable women in eastern DR Congo by establishing a training center and equipping them with sewing machines and entrepreneurial skills.

In regions devastated by conflict, countless widows have endured unspeakable atrocities and face severe social exclusion. Many of these women are the sole providers for children and the elderly, with 60% of children and 70% of the elderly in eastern DR Congo depending on widows for care, shelter, and food. Since the war began in 1996, over eight million people have lost their lives, and women and children have been systematically targeted, earning the region the heartbreaking title of the “rape capital of the world.”

Having witnessed the resilience of widows both in DR Congo and in the Nyarugusu refugee camp in Tanzania, we know that a simple gesture of love—like a sewing machine—can create lasting change. By listening to their voices, we’ve learned that sewing machine training is a crucial step toward sustainable income and dignity.

Our Vision

The Msenwa Foundation is raising funds to establish a training center to equip widows and other vulnerable women with life skills and entrepreneurial training. This initiative will enable women to:

  • Learn to use sewing machines effectively.

  • Develop business management skills.

  • Sew school uniforms and African clothing for children and women in need.

In the first stage of the project, we aim to purchase at least 50 sewing machines and essential materials, providing women with the tools they need to transform their futures.

How You Can Help

Together, we can empower widows and vulnerable women for life:

  1. Sponsor Entrepreneurship Training:

    • $1,000 covers training materials, enrollment fees, and startup funding for one woman.

  2. Provide Urgent Care:

    • $100–$500 provides medical and emotional support for a widow in need.

  3. Organize Fundraising Events:

    • Host a craft fair, walk, or run.

    • Screen Oliver Mweneake’s documentary When Destiny Calls to raise awareness.

  4. Invite Oliver Mweneake:

    • Arrange a speaking engagement at your church, school, organization, or family gathering to learn more about the project firsthand.

  5. Volunteer or Visit:

    • Join us as a volunteer or travel to DR Congo to witness the impact of our work.

  6. Secure Matching Grants:

    • Partner with a foundation, church, or organization to amplify the impact of your contributions.

Make a Difference

A sewing machine can be more than a tool; it’s a symbol of hope, independence, and a brighter future. Together, we can help widows rebuild their lives and provide for their families. Empower a widow. Transform a community.

Support a Child, Empower a Woman

When you support the needs of a child, you are also directly supporting a woman—whether it's a mother, a relative, or a community member who has taken the child in. Often, this selfless act increases the financial and emotional demands on her, but your support can make a meaningful difference in both their lives.

At our school, we currently support 300 children, 50 of whom reside at the Congo for Christ Centre. These children are in need of various resources to help them succeed and thrive. The school building requires ongoing maintenance, and there is also an urgent need to expand the solar panel system to provide children with access to computer literacy training and the internet.

How You Can Help

Your contribution can provide critical resources to the children and women in our community:

  • A Pair of Shoes: $15

  • Complete Outfit: $35 (Adds confidence and a sense of worthiness)

  • Personal Hygiene Products: $20

  • School Backpack: $20

  • One Year of Vitamins: $100

  • Mattresses: $100

  • Bedding: $60 (For a comforting sleep)

Your Support Makes a Difference

Every donation, no matter the size, has a profound impact on the lives of both children and the women who care for them. By helping to meet these basic needs, you are offering children a chance to thrive and women the support they deserve.

Together, we can create a brighter future for both.

  • Laptop for High School and University Students: $600

  • School Supplies: $20

  • Sanitary Pads: $10

  • Complete Bed: $300

  • Medical Needs (Transportation, Doctor’s Visits, Lab Work, and Medication): $150