June 5, 2025
News
39-year-old Falone fled with her family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zambia, where she tried to start over. However, her difficult past still haunts her. Rebels attacked her family in Congo – her father was killed in the attack and her mother died years later from cancer triggered by severe stress. In order to provide for her large family, Falone opened her own shop selling household items and fashion. Today, her business is thriving – thanks in part to Caritas Czech Republic.
From war to uncertainty
The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has affected the lives of millions of people. One of them is Falone. When rebels attacked the village where she lived, everything changed for her in an instant. Her father lost his life. Her mother, who was pregnant at the time, collapsed upon hearing of Falone’s father’s death. After some time, she developed cancer and passed away a few years later.
Falone has now been living in Zambia for three years, taking care of her five children. Her husband is seriously ill and unable to work. One of her sons also suffers from health issues. Despite all the challenges, Falone never gave up.
When she joined Caritas Czech Republic’s programme, she was in a very difficult situation. She had just given birth to twins. “We had absolutely nothing. No food or milk for my newborn children,” recalls Falone, who at that time knew nothing about business and didn’t even know how to sew. But Caritas Czech Republic extended a helping hand.
Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, Falone now supports her entire family
Falone took part in training provided by Caritas Czech Republic, where she learned how to start and run her own business. A great source of support for her was also Beatrice – a woman who now works with her in the shop. “Beatrice taught me not only how to sew but also how to run a business,” says Falone.
Today, Falone successfully runs her own shop selling household items and fashion. She owns a sewing machine and makes clothes to order – for weddings, family celebrations, and Sunday church visits. Although finances still pose a challenge, she is now able to support her family on her own. “In the future, I’d also like to start doing make-up, because there’s high demand for it here,” Falone adds.
Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia
Caritas Czech Republic, in cooperation with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), supports refugees from countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Burundi, and Rwanda. We help women like Falone regain stability and start a new life free of fear. One of them is 19-year-old Elody, who built her business from scratch with the help of Caritas Czech Republic.
