Newsletter
Third Quarter 2015
Just Funded – Vegetable Garden Grows
Five women (Julia, Laetitia, Melissa, Dorcas and
Corine) have been farming successfully outside
Lubumbashi, selling produce in the market to
support their 17 children. Recently, the neighboring garden plot
became
available.
They
approached
FSI, asking for a
grant to cover the
cost of the land, and
additional materials
and equipment. FSI
approved the request. Now, these
women will be able
to increase their
productivity
and
grow a greater variety of vegetables. As you can
see, their garden is growing.
100 Women, 200 Shoes
Partnerships
work!
FSI and
Books for Africa
combined forces
to ship 200 pairs
of crocs to Africa.
The crocs came to
FSI through a program
O,
The
Oprah Magazine
and Crocs sponsored. But how to get them to Africa affordably?
Problem solved by piggybacking on space available in a shipment by
Books for Africa. Now, these comfortable, sturdy
shoes are in Rwanda.
Project Update – Open
Air Restaurant
In November 2013 a group
of 10 women received FSI
funding for enhancements
to their open-air restaurant.
They used the funding to
move into rented space, and
to purchase restaurant furnishings (chairs, tables,
plates, etc), a refrigerator
and a generator for their
restaurant. The restaurant
is located in a poor area of
Lubumbashi. Using profit
from this first restaurant,
the women now have expanded to a second location, seen below, in a more
prosperous part of town.
Is Outside Aid Effective in Lifting the
Ultra-Poor Out of
Poverty?
So many challenges face
the people FSI serves,
that it can be easy to feel
overwhelmed and question whether our work
makes any difference. A
recent research project,
published in the May 15,
2015 issue (Vol. 348 no.
6236) of Science reports
that sustained benefits
occur when the
“Graduation model” is
used. In this model there
is an initial investment in
an asset that serves as the
basis for livelihood. Then
the recipient is surrounded with supportive services. FSI grants provide
the initial funding and
our DRC staff, who are
trained in best business
practices, provides follow
-up and support to grant
recipients.
We will Miss You
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Nadine Bulaya, one of our three colleagues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nadine was
the dedicated mother of three
young children and a passionate
leader of First Step Initiative's
work since 2008. Our board is currently considering
ways we can honor Nadine and her legacy. We will be
back in touch on this topic as soon as we've established
the path forward.
Welcome, Violette Mpagazihe!
Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Violette grew up in Goma in east
Kivu and Kinshasa the capital
and is fluent in Swahili, Lingala, French and English. She is
graduate of Carleton College
with a BA in Economics,
earned an MBA from Hamline
University, and works at the
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development as the Coordinator of the Minnesota Angel Tax Credit Program. Violette previously served as a member of the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association Board of Directors. She is excited about working with FSI and serving the women of Lubumbashi.
Decorah, Iowa Supports FSI
At the end of June, long-term supporters Candace and Dave
Arp hosted a wonderful fundraiser at their Decorah home.
The high point of the evening was the introduction of a new
video featuring Chingwell Mutombu, FSI’s founder. She talks
about daily life in the Congo, her commitment to improving life
in the Congo, her belief that women hold the key to family
prosperity and FSI’s accomplishments over the past ten years. The event allowed us
to connect with current supporters and build new relationships. It also was an opportunity for our clients in Lubumbashi to send a personal thank you (aksanti).
Thank you Volunteers!
FSI extends its reach through volunteers. The following three people exercise their
commitment to international work by contributing their skills to FSI and the
women of the DRC.
Kim Kokett deser v es
multiple thank yous. She
began as a FSI volunteer
working on communications nearly three years ago
and now has moved into data management and event
planning. In her day job,
she is a preschool teacher/ family advocate. She
was drawn to FSI for its direct, meaningful impact on women in the DRC.
Palash Ranjan Sanyal is ta king on ou r
social media presence. He already is thinking
about how we can expand our media footprint.
Palash is a graduate student
at the University of South
Carolina whose current researching foci are climate
change, air pollution, gender, and the environment.
Travis Bumgarner has
taken over our website administration/maintenance.
Travis completed a Peace
Corps placement in Panama at the end of June and
will join us in August. He is
a Rutgers University graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering and a
powerful interest in programming and photography.
10th Anniversary for FSI and Fall Gathering Rescheduled
Spring 2016 marks 10 years of service by FSI in the DRC. Looking back over the
years, there is much to feel proud of and many reasons to celebrate this milestone. We will be rescheduling our fall luncheon gathering for the spring of 2016
and will celebrate our anniversary then. Watch the newsletter and your email for
details for how you can join in this celebration.
Contact Us!
Successful Mother’s Day Appeal!
Many thanks to our generous supporters
for the fantastic response to our Mother’s
Day appeal. Such a wonderful way to express appreciation for the work our own
mothers do and that of the DRC mothers.
First Step Initiative
4940 West 77th Street, Suite 30
Edina, MN 55435.
Phone: 952-215-5378
Email: [email protected]
www.firststepinitiative.org