African feel at GA 217

The 217th General Assembly (GA) had an African feel, from the official General Assembly tote bags and Chorale Presbytérienne du Congo, to the home-based care “wrap” project.

This year’s General Assembly tote bags were made by women at the Women’s Center Matete (Kinshasa) — one of the income-generating projects that PC(USA) supports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This income-generating activity decreases women's risk for HIV by allowing them to earn a small income so they won’t be at risk of prostituting themselves for the income they need to survive and buy food for themselves and their families. A limited number of bags are available for purchase for $8.00 each. Contact Audrey Cotten at (888) 728-7228 x5419 for information.

Also from the DRC came the Congo Choir. The choir is composed of 12 women and men, one from each synod, and is in the United States for a nine-week tour. The purpose of the tour is to inspire a more hopeful view as this country looks toward a democratic election in July, and to encourage United States involvement and aid in the DRC.

The home-based care “wrap” project was previewed at General Assembly. The wrap is based on the type of skirt women typically wear in sub-Saharan Africa, two meters in length, and wrapped over their hips and tucked in at their waist. The home-based care volunteers created the design for the wrap depicting different types of home-based care, Bible verses used by the volunteers and building styles of homes in Africa. The 2-meter length of material will be given as a thank you gift with a donation of $200 or more. The wrap project will be officially launched at the Presbyterian Women’s Gathering in July.