By Good Shepherd International Foundation
When women and girls are given equal access to opportunities and resources, they can work wonders. Joséphine Bolamba, from the town of Tshala, in Lualaba Province, knows this better than anyone. She was in her third year of secondary school when financial hardship forced her to drop out. In an attempt to support herself, she began selling vegetables in her neighborhood and at nearby mining sites, working long days from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The main activity of the Lualaba Province is copper and cobalt mining, precious minerals that are supplied to the rest of the world. Yet, extreme poverty compels many children and adolescents to work in or around the mining sites just to earn a small living. Despite her hard work, Josephine’s income was far from enough to enable her to return to school. The demanding labor left her exhausted and frequently unwell, with recurring headaches, and on top of all that, she had to face constant harassment and cruelty from the miners. But holding on to her dream of becoming a strong, independent woman, Joséphine refused to give in to despair and persevered day after day.
Her path took a hopeful turn when she learned about Bon Pasteur Kolwezi during an awareness session held at the mine. For over 15 years, Bon Pasteur has supported vulnerable youth living in mining areas through vocational training. Josephine immediately understood that this was the opportunity she had long been waiting for: she left her job selling and enrolled in a 6-month sewing program. Upon arriving in Kolwezi, she was warmly welcomed by the coordinator and staff, who treated her with respect and kindness.
After successfully completing the course, she began sewing from home, using an old family sewing machine and another one temporarily provided by Bon Pasteur to support her start-up phase. Courageous, passionate, and determined, she also decided to return to school, attending classes in the mornings and sewing for clients in the afternoons. As demand for her work grew, Joséphine invested in her dream by purchasing two additional sewing machines and four mannequins to showcase her handmade designs. To have more time to focus on her education, she invited her aunt and younger sister to help run the workshop.
At only 20 years old, Joséphine is now a skilled and admired professional in her community. She is in her final year of secondary school, studying sewing and fashion design, and preparing for her state exams. She continues to work diligently, carefully saving to cover her school fees and purchase essential sewing materials, such as scissors, fabrics, and textiles, for her business.
“I no longer need to count every centime and can afford clothes of my choice, beauty products, and shoes. I can even support the education of my younger siblings!”
Josephine also actively raises awareness among girls in her community about the importance of education and encourages them to pursue training at Bon Pasteur and let their dreams be the motor of their action.
“No matter where you start, with hard work, determination, and the right support, you can change your story. I have learned that education and skills open doors to independence and opportunities. That’s why I say to every girl in my community: believe in yourself, stay focused on your dreams, and never let challenges stop you from becoming the person you want to be.”
This article was first published by GSIF, here: www.gsif.it/storiesofchange/josephine-drc
Learn more about the Good Shepherd mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo here: https://rgs-ecap.org
