In the heart of Kinshasa, within the parish of Saint Kizito, a group of young women once faced a grim reality. Abandoned, neglected, and left to wander aimlessly due to financial hardships, their future seemed uncertain. However, a ray of hope emerged through the Centre de Formation et de Promotion Féminine (CFPF) at Foyer Saint Kizito, where a transformative opportunity awaited them.

AJAN has been actively supporting the women and young girls at CVX- Saint Ignace, Kingabwa-in Kinshasa, DRC providing critical resources and training through the Bringing Resilience to Women and Girls in Africa program. This initiative has enabled marginalized young women and teenage mothers to acquire vocational skills such as tailoring, literacy, and domestic economy, equipping them with the tools needed for self-sufficiency. Despite the challenges of limited training materials and infrastructure, the program has been instrumental in transforming lives by fostering independence and sustainable livelihoods.

Through the generous support of the Christian Life Community (CVX) and AJAN, these young learners were given the chance to break free from the cycle of poverty. The road was not easy—limited training materials, insufficient sewing machines, and a dilapidated learning space made their journey challenging. Yet, through perseverance and the dedication of a team of skilled and compassionate trainers, they overcame these obstacles.

Today, they are no longer just women struggling to find a path. They have learned to read, write, calculate, and, most importantly, master the art of sewing. Their hands, once empty, are now filled with skill and determination, ready to shape a better tomorrow. All they need is a little more support—equipment that will allow them to put their newfound knowledge into practice and build self-sustaining futures.

Giving her feedback of how CVX-Saint Ignace has supported her Anto NZANGILA says,

“During his surprise visit, Father Michel found me at my place of service. His presence brought me the peace and joy of Christ. This image sums up all my joy, my gratitude to the Cvx Saint Ignace who has been helping us for several years. I can only praise the Lord because you have given me this fund to carry out this small business. Frankly, my husband and I no longer suffer from hunger. Taking medication will no longer be a problem because I go to the center whenever I want. I sell bread, omelettes, sweet drinks, sausages and pure water. The sale begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends around 11:00 p.m. in the joy of the profits made each day.”

With heartfelt gratitude, the young women extend their appreciation to CVX and AJAN for funding their education. They also acknowledge Reverend Father Blaise Emmanuel Evagle for his unwavering spiritual and moral support, as well as their trainers for imparting invaluable lessons in life skills, domestic economy, literacy, civic education, and the craft of tailoring.

As they step into a future filled with hope and purpose, they pray that this initiative does not stop with them but continues to uplift others who face similar struggles. Their success is a testament to the power of education and community support in transforming lives.

“May the Almighty God be praised. Long live the CVX/AJAN-CFPF partnership. Long live the parish of Saint Kizito.”

By, MAVUNGU NKAZI,
CVX- Saint Ignace, Kingabwa, DRC