04-12-2024 | di COOPI

Mapenzi Mave: a journey of rebirth in the Democratic Republic of Congo

In the village of Bubbu, located in Mongala Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, lives Mapenzi Mave together with her two children. Born in Fataki in 1996, Mapenzi's life was deeply impacted by sexual violence at the hands of members of her own community.
Despite the pain and devastating impact of this event, thanks to her strength of will and the support of the workers of the european humanitarian aid office -funded project ‘Multi-sectoral integrated emergency assistance in health, nutrition, protection, EHA for the conflict-affected population in Ituri province and RRM response in North Kivu province’, Mapenzi was able to regain hope and serenity.
She asked for help and received shelter and medical care at the health centre in Djugu. Here her journey of rebirth began:

 

I was referred to COOPI, where I received psychosocial support that was a decisive turning point in my life. The advice and support of the psychologists and COOPI workers enabled me to overcome my fears, calm my mind and recover my dignity.’

 

In addition to psychosocial support, Mapenzi participated in activities that were crucial to her reintegration, including a training course on starting and sustainably managing income-generating activities (IGA) and group therapy sessions.
These moments were crucial in transforming pain into strength, sharing experiences with other women who had gone through similar situations, always guided by COOPI's specialised staff.

 

Today, I have regained control of my life.’

 

Thanks to the project, Mapenzi also received economic support to set up an income-generating activity.

 

COOPI provided us with financial support to link the theory to the practice of income-generating activities and promised to continue to support us in their development. I am deeply grateful to COOPI for its commitment and support.’

 

Mapenzi's story is a testimony to resilience and hope. Her rebirth and reintegration is a clear example of the positive impact of the ECHO-funded project, which has enabled Mapenzi to regain her dignity and continue to be a valuable example to her community.
 

COOPI, present in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1977, constantly carries out Protection activities, promoting psycho-social support interventions and free health care, managing prevention and protection projects against the recruitment of children in the context of conflict, promoting school and professional reintegration activities.  Since 2011, COOPI has been implementing projects funded by the ICC, which include the psycho-social reintegration of single mothers and the collective reparation of war victims.