Empower Displaced Women in Goma with Skills

Introduction

In Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, thousands of women and girls are living in precarious conditions after being displaced by armed conflict. Forced to flee their homes, they have lost everything: their safety, their possessions, sometimes even their loved ones — but above all, their dignity. Many of them are survivors of violence, left without resources, support, or prospects for the future.

In response, we launched the project "Empowering Displaced Women in Goma", which aims to train 100 women in basket weaving and sewing, provide them with psychosocial support, and help them establish income-generating cooperatives. The goal is to help them regain autonomy, rebuild their self-esteem, and reclaim their place in their communities.

Project Objectives

• Train 100 displaced women in sewing and basket weaving.
• Create local cooperatives to support the production and sale of handicrafts.
• Promote financial independence through marketable, income-generating skills.
• Provide psychosocial support to aid emotional healing.
• Facilitate the social and economic reintegration of women into their communities.
• Contribute to long-term peacebuilding by empowering women to act as agents of local change.

Humanitarian Context

The humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC is one of the longest-running and most complex in the world. The displacement camps in Goma are overcrowded with families who have fled violence. Women in these camps live in extreme poverty, often without access to education, employment, or adequate healthcare. Many have experienced sexual violence and deep psychological trauma.

Without access to skills or income-generating activities, these women remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and dependence. Our project aims to break this cycle and restore hope.

Activities Carried Out and Planned

Although full funding has not yet been secured, the first steps have already been taken:

• Identification of the most vulnerable beneficiaries in displacement camps.
• Mobilization of qualified local trainers in sewing and weaving.
• Preparation of safe and accessible training sites.

Thanks to our partnership with GlobalGiving, we are confident that we will mobilize the resources needed to implement each phase of this project.

Project Budget

The total project budget is $15,000 USD. This amount covers training costs, materials, facilitators, logistical support, psychosocial assistance, and the creation of women's cooperatives.

So far, no funds have yet been raised, but with the help of GlobalGiving and the generosity of donors around the world, we believe we will reach our goal.

Expected Impact

• 100 trained women engaged in handicraft production and economic activity.
• Sustainable income generation, enabling women to support themselves and their children.
• Improved mental health and well-being through psychosocial care.
• Stronger community cohesion, with women becoming leaders and peacebuilders.
• Long-term skill transmission, benefiting families and future generations.

Call to Donors

We are issuing an urgent call for support. This project is more than a vocational training initiative — it is a bridge between despair and hope, between survival and dignity. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps change a life and build a future.

Supporting this project means restoring dignity, empowering mothers and daughters, and giving displaced women the tools they need to rebuild.

With your generosity and our collaboration with GlobalGiving, we believe this project will soon become a reality.

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank all those who have expressed interest or moral support so far. Your compassion and encouragement are a powerful source of motivation for our team and the women we support.

Together, we can build a more just, dignified, and humane future.

Conclusion

The “Empowering Displaced Women in Goma” project is not just a humanitarian initiative. It is a movement of resilience, solidarity, and transformation. We invite you to take part and accompany these women on their journey of rebuilding.

Let’s help them rise. Together, let’s restore hope.