Mrs Julienne is a living reference for us. This woman has suffered from eye problems since her youth. At the age of 22, she became completely blind. She has learned to support herself, and even others, in an admirable way.
She followed some basic training which enables her to make juice, soap, Julie coffee (liquor), cassava bread, washing products which she sells.
With the revenue from her products, and without external aid, Mrs Julienne has built an information centre for handicapped people, for those who are deaf-mute or blind, and for orphans. From the revenue she pays her teachers.
Although the centre is still incomplete, it functions as a NGO, still without any external support. It's in this current school year 2005-2006, that the National Institute for Blind People has accepted to support teachers. This promise is not realized yet because of the country socio economic situation.
The HEART team at DRC is already providing Mrs Julienne with support, and is working on a development plan with her.
In addition to the current activities which HEART will be strengthening, we aim to assist the centre to provide the following services:
- Training the handicapped people in useful crafts - such as dress making, shoes making, carpentry etc.
- Farming of vegetables and cassava.
- Support for those with HIV/AIDS.
- Physiotherapy.
- Increase revenue:poverty in the rural area makes it very difficult for the sale of the products.
- Transportation: for supervisor and handicapped learners.
- Equipment: desperate need for benches and desks.
- Pedagogy materials: specifically for deaf-mute and blind learners.
- Basic materials: brushes, shelves, basic instruments, books etc.
Farozia from HEART International approached Stanborough Pathfinder and Adventurer Club who were looking for a worthy cause to support. The Stanborough Pathfinder club aim is to increase the awareness of the children for people less fortunate than themselves, and a sense of responsibility to help others and wanted to adopt a specific project where the pathfinders and Adventurer Club could see direct results. They choose to support the project of building a stairway and other improvement plan for Mrs. Julienne School for Handicap children and adults. To raise money the pathfinders age from 4-15years together with friends, parents, counselors and leaders all walked an impressive 10 mile Sponsored hike along the canal in Cassiobury Park Watford on the 22nd of April 2007.
In August 2007 labourers was hired in DRC and materials purchased and the work commenced.Following the construction of the stairway the government of DRC has recognised the needs of the school and will be supporting them. There will be an official opening of the stairs by the Vice-Governor of Kinshasa Mr S.E Bafiba Zomba Clement-Patrice, on 14th September 2007.
After the construction of the stairway there were left over funds enabling us to build windows and doors for the school. HEART would like to replicate this kind of work in other part of the DRC, but more funds are needed. We guarantee that your donation will be put into good use and we will keep you updated of the results.
On behalf of Mrs Julienne and HEART we thank the Stanborough Park Pathfinders and Adventurers Club for their kind generosity of contributing £1,500. In raising this fund, the handicap children and adults now have a staircase and safe access to the school. We would also like to thank the donators and family member of the Pathfinders and Adventures club for their support.
A special thank you to Eliel Jayram in his support and contribution towards to work of HEART.
