Bakana-Nkana wise widows

In some African communities, such as those populating the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, women who lose their husbands are deprived of all possessions and social dignity. The brothers of the Nyantende Fraternity have brought together several elderly widows in need of assistance in a group called Bakana-Nkana, wise widows. This group fosters spiritual, moral, material and social support for women through a variety of activities. The Bakana-Nkana group has over 125 elderly widows, many of whom survive on providence. Some engage in small businesses (selling salt, palm oil or cassava flour), while others cultivate small plots of land. The project in their favor aims to support their productive activities by providing the necessary tools for agricultural and household work, thus nurturing their autonomy.