DR Congo: YMUKA - The Future That Carine Chose to Rebuild
“I can take care of myself and my child. That’s all I ever wanted.”
At just 17 years old, Carine’s voice carries a quiet strength, the kind found in girls who had to learn far too early how to fight for their place in the world. In this simple sentence lies her entire journey: after years of uncertainty, she is finally in control of her own life.
When the future already seemed closed
Carine’s life has never been easy. Orphaned of both parents before the end of her childhood, she was forced to drop out of school in the fourth year of primary education. With that abrupt stop, her dreams and plans collapsed as well. Without family support or resources, she endured years marked by hardship and isolation. In such a context, every decision becomes about immediate survival, and the future feels too distant even to imagine.
A turning point through the Axe-Fille project
The turning point in her life came when World Vision teams identified Carine during outreach work in vulnerable neighborhoods in the Mweka territory, in Kasai province. The Axe-Fille project, funded by the people of the United Kingdom, specifically targets adolescent girls at risk of poverty and school dropout.
Carine seized this opportunity and joined a vocational training center. She chose tailoring, a trade she hoped would restore her dignity and provide a stable life for her child. The training was demanding: learning how to cut fabric, mastering sewing machines, developing precision, and maintaining daily discipline. Yet Carine showed remarkable determination. Day by day, she rebuilt herself, both technically and personally.
YMUKA: a cooperative born from solidarity
At the end of their training, the girls did not receive individual kits. Instead, machines and accessories were given to the group, encouraging cooperation and the creation of a sustainable activity. It is in this spirit that YMUKA was born, a small cooperative where young seamstresses work, learn, and grow together. Each member contributes, takes part in decisions, and progresses alongside the others.
Carine plays a key role within the group. As the leader, she coordinates activities, manages orders, organizes work sessions, and motivates her peers. Her leadership stands out, not through authority, but through commitment and example.
Today, YMUKA carries out clothing alterations, produces school uniforms, and makes custom garments. The income generated allows the girls to improve their living conditions and reinvest in their work.
For Carine, this success goes far beyond financial gain. She now provides for herself and her child with dignity and independence.
“I have a skill. I can make my own decisions. I can offer a better life to my child.”
A transformed future, a collective momentum
Carine’s story is not an isolated one. It is part of a broader impact: more than 60,000 children, 60% of them girls, have been reached by the Axe-Fille project. Across the Mweka territory, adolescent girls who were once excluded are finding their place in society again, gaining a voice and acquiring the skills to build their future. Through YMUKA and stories like Carine’s, an entire community is moving forward, with greater resilience, stronger solidarity, and above all, renewed hope.