Fatuma and Andre don’t know each other but they have several things in common.
- They live in Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- They’ve both suffered as a result of conflict
- In differing ways they’re vulnerable and have children to look after
- Both are being supported to live independent lives by Tearfund
‘Extremely helpful’ is how Fatuma describes the help she’s received. Her husband died in 2014 after being forced to do hard labour by a militia group. The 58-year-old suffered from TB and deprived of access to medication, succumbed to the strain of having to carry 65kg loads as a porter.
Fatuma was left with a small plot of land and some orange trees to support her mum and three children.
With funding from the European Commission’s Humanitarian aid and Civil Protection Department, Tearfund is helping Fatuma develop a livelihood which will enable the family not just to survive, but thrive.