Hold Goma - Marti Waals

HOLD GOMA - MARTI WAALS

HOLD GOMA is a recognized humanitarian organization for sustainable development. In the war-torn province of North Kivu in eastern Congo, HOLD has been working for more than a decade to provide vocational training for teenage mothers.

In addition to sewing, there are options, like  hairdressing, make up, hotel and restaurant services, cleaning, and even plumbing. Through courses of alphabetization and training in managing their own micro-enterprises, these young women are given a chance to stand on their own two feet and earn a stable income for themselves and their child. After being expelled from school and also from their families, they regain in that way their self-esteem and self-respect. Many of them also testify about their experiences in secondary schools and health centres. In the last period, more than 1100 teenage mothers and other vulnerable people have already been trained, more than 80% of whom are now living independently!

In view of the enormous number of refugees in the region (no less than a third of the population is on the run), HOLD now wants to offer this training in the IDP-camps as well. In addition to this training, a life-saving protein-rich porridge is distributed to malnourished children and other vulnerable groups, while raising awareness about hygiene, a balanced diet, their rights, responsible sexuality, etc.

From Belgium, Marti Waals, a development officer with almost 45 years of experience in the region, in collaboration with WERELDMISSIEHULP/WE MAKE HOPE and HELPINGNET, is committed to sending useful materials and the necessary resources to support the organisation's volunteers in Goma to offer even more young women this "chance for life". Despite the constant tension and insecurity, these people work every day, voluntarily, to improve the perspectives of these vulnerable and marginalized group..

Email address: martiwaals@hotmail.com