Ishimalanga, Fisher-Woman in Lake Tanganyika, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ishimalanga lost all of her property during the enduring years of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With 79 million inhabitants, 31 million live below the poverty line earning less than CF$2463 (US$1.25) a day, making it one of the top 11 poorest countries in the world. Ishimalanga suffered the trauma of rape and physical abuse, while most of her family members were killed. Women for...
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Ishimalanga, Fisher-Woman in Lake Tanganyika, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ishimalanga lost all of her property during the enduring years of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With 79 million inhabitants, 31 million live below the poverty line earning less than CF$2463 (US$1.25) a day, making it one of the top 11 poorest countries in the world. Ishimalanga suffered the trauma of rape and physical abuse, while most of her family members were killed. Women for Women, a U.S. based non-profit, has helped train thousands of women in this area through work skills programs that help them regain their dignity. The women achieve financial stability and a sense of community via microloans and a “merry-go-round program” in which women pool their money and take turns accessing the pot at the end of the month. Despite fishing being an unusual profession for women, Ishimalanga, shown here with her boat on Lake Tanganyika, bought a large fishing net with her proceeds. “I learned to fish here when I was little girl. Now I can pass this skill onto my children and they will always have a livelihood. I feel like this job has given me a sense of purpose and hope in my life.”
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