News
Since 2012, the "Yanga Cooperative Support Association" in Switzerland (Unterstützungsverein Kooperative Yanga) has been cooperating with the partners in Yanga by financing small and precisely defined projects. As always in the past since its foundation in 1977, responsibility for all activities of the Yanga Cooperative lies in the hands of the partners in the Congo.
After the passing away of Dr. Emile Okitolonda, the head of the Coopérative of Yanga in October 2019, our key contacts are:
- Sister Jeanne Otemankoy (Kinshasa)
- M. Jean-Pierre Onyumbe (Tshumbe)
- Rebecca Toko (Tshumbe)
- Father Pierre Ohanga (Tshumbe)
New Maternity ward in Yanga
After extensive planning, this ambitious project was approved by the Executive Board on 21 October 2018 and the money transferred on 5 November 2018.
Responsible: Dr. Emile and Sr. Jeanne Otemankoy
Amount:
Building: 22'792 USD
Water system: 3'035 USD
Solar energy: 6'264 USD
Total: 32'091 USD (+ 1% bank charges in Congo)
THANK YOU
our friens
who provided
the pictures for this website:
Debora and Christoph Federer-Scherrer, Münsingen / BE
Albin Föllmi, Wollerau
Manuela Kleeb and Thomas Sedioli, Urtenen-Schönbühl BE
Sabine Mäder-Mori, Tschugg BE
Cilgia Osann, Wädenswil
Hans Scheurer, Aarberg
Hans Häfeli, Meisterschwanden AG
19 February 2021: Opening of the new Maternity ward in Yanga
During a small celebration and with great participation of the population, the maternity ward was inaugurated as an extension of the dispensary in Yanga. Two doctors from Tshumbe supplement a team of three nurses and three midwives for several days every month. The great rush of patients shows how important this service to the population is.
As the medical sector is not self-supporting and further equipment and medicines were needed, the Board approved an amount of 5'020 USD (+ 1% for bank charges in Congo) on 17 March 2021. The money was transferred on 18 March 2021. This money was also used to finance the monthly doctor visits in Yanga and the treatment of really very poor people. The monthly reports, which arrive regularly, give a good overview of all the consultations, births and treatments that have taken place. To maintain this important service to the people, the Board approved the following further credits (always plus 1 to 1.5% Congo bank charges):
- on 25 August 2021: 2'080 USD for September to December 2021, transferred on 26 August 2021
- on 4 March 2022: 3'120 USD for January to June 2022, transferred in March 2022
- on 26 April 2022: 3'120 USD for July to December 2022. The money was transferred in June 2022.
- on 23 November 2022: 3'120 USD for January to June 2023, transferred in December 2022.
- on 25 April 2023: 3'120 USD for July to December 2023. The money was transferred in June 2023
- on 16 January 2024: 3'120 USD for January to June 2024, transferred in January 2024.
Reconstruction of the school building for kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade in Yanga Project
Responsible: Sr. Jeanne Otemankoy and Albert Ndjate
Project received on 9 November 2020
Project approved by the Board on 31 January 2021.
The small school building for kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grade in was severely damaged by a violent storm in autumn 2020. The Board approved the project of a new building on 31 January 2021. The money was transferred in tranches from February 2021. The construction cost including basic furniture was13'693 USD. The new building was completed at the beginning of the school year on 4 October 2021. This project was thus completed for the Board.
Toilets for three school buildings
Responsible: Sr. Jeanne Otemankoy and Albert Ndjate
Project received on 9 Novmeber 2020
Project approved by the Board on 31 January 2021
Old and young people in Yanga and the surrounding area keep dying of typhoid. Sr Jeanne saw and sees the problem mainly in the fact that (too) many simply "relieve themselves" somewhere in the open. The construction of toilets near the existing school buildings is intended to remedy the situation and, above all, to get the young generation used to a reasonably hygienic way of life.
Amount: 5'342 USD (+ 1% bank charges in Congo)
The money war transferred in three stages until 26 August 2021, based to the progress of construction. The final account of 17 March 2022, with many photos, was approved by the Board on 26 April 2022, closing the project.
Another very bad piece of news came in April 2019: Sr. Jeanne was recalled from Yanga by the superior of her congregation. The reasons for this decision are a mystery to us. A few weeks later, she had to move to Kinshasa. Now she is responsible for the formation of young nuns in the capital. The search for a capable and reliable successor proves to be very difficult, especially after the passing of Dr. Emile.
29 Oktober 2019: Dr. Emile passed away
At the beginning of April 2019, Dr. Emile, the head of the Cooperative of Yanga, fell seriously ill. An operation in South Africa became necessary because no hospital in the Congo was able to perform the necessary operation.
After long weeks under medical supervision, Dr. Emile was able to return to Kinshasa on 30 June. Unfortunately, his health did not improve as everybody had expected. There were complications and finally he had to be hospitalised again in Johannesburg at the beginning of October. There he died on Tuesday 29 October 2019 at the age of 70. The funeral took place in Kinshasa on 9 November 2019 with great participation of the population.
The death of Dr. Emile was a heavy blow for the Support Association in Switzerland. Not only did we lose a very good friend, but also our most important contact person. Our partners in Congo have not been able to find a successor until today.
In December 2019, Sr. Jeanne sent an interim report of expenses of 20'345 USD for the building.
At its meeting on 19 May 2020, the Board approved the financial report for the building. It also approved an amount of 2'000 USD to buy necessary medicines. The final report was accepted by the Board on 31 January 2021. This amount of 2'000 USD made it possible to officially open the maternity on 19 February 2021 (see above).
After the forced departure of Sr. Jeanne to Kinshasa in April 2019 and the serious illness of the Yanga head Dr. Emile, which led to his death, the solar energy and the water system were not realised, although the money was already transferred at the end of 2018.
The sad truth came to light in 2022: After long, time-consuming investigations and incessant insistence, the Board got the sad certainty that the money for the solar energy and the water system of the new Maternity ward had been misappropriated by the closest relatives of Dr. Emile, who died in 2019, when these people gained access to the bank account before Dr. Emile's death. It is a total of 9'299 USD. We regret very much that this happened despite our very careful handling of the donations. These people also branched off other funds that were in Dr. Emile's Yanga account in Kinshasa in 2019 for the projects:
- Fish ponds in Lombo, a neighboring village of Yanga: 2'297 USD must be considered lost for the same reasons and
- the training of a mechanic for Yanga (1'500 USD) could also not be realised: After the unblocking of the bank account about half a year after Dr. Emile's death, this money was also gone.
Solar energy for the "House of Directorate" in Yanga
Responsible: Sr. Jeanne Otemankoy (and Dr. Emile)
Project submitted: 14 May 2016
Project approved: 24 May 2016
Amount: 2'910 USD (+ 1% bank charges in Congo)
The money was tansferred on 20 Februaryi 2017. The project startet in February 2017. On 5 November 2020, we received photos showing that solar energy is installed and working in this building. On 17 November 2020
we received the final report from Sr. Jeanne, which was approved by our Board on 22 November 2020.
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Current projects and news:
Care of the cattle herd
Since 1980, Yanga has owned a herd of cows that has survived both civil wars and many other difficulties. Currently there are about 20 animals. These cows, a flagship of Yanga, needed mineral salts, medication and a visit from a veterinarian. In addition, the walkway had to be repaired, where the cows are treated with anti-parasite medication, among other things. In order to cover these important expenses, the board approved an amount of 1'500 USD (+ 1% bank charges in Congo), which we transferred on 11 May 2021. The vet was in Yanga at the beginning of June, and on 17 June 2021 the final report with photos arrived, which was approved by the Board on 20 June 2021.
Reconstruction of a school building in Yanga Village
Responsible: Sr. Jeanne Otemankoy and Albert Ndjate
Project received on 12 May 2022
Amount: 11'454 USD (+ 1% bank charges in Congo)
Project approved by the Board on 22 September 2022.
This school building, which dates back to the 1980s, has been in need of a renovation and repair for quite some time. Then, in March 2022, a storm almost completely destroyed the building. The budget for a new building was 11'454 USD. This amount was transferred at the beginning of October 2022. By mid-November 2022, the construc-
tion work had progressed to the point that classes could begin in the new building. The final report, dated 18 January 2023, was approved by the Board on 25 January 2023.
Help for widows ("Widows10")
Responsible: Sr. Jeanne Otemankoy, together with the parson of Yanga, Abbé Lokanga Sylvain
Project description received on 2 August 2023
Project approved by the Board on 8 September 2023
Amount: 2'245 USD (+ 5% for distribution + 1% bank charges in Congo)
This 10th project to support poor widows in Yanga and the surrounding area helps 34 elderly women whose husbands have died. It includes a pagne (for clothing) and a pair of light shoes for every widow. The money was transferred in October 2023.
Project "Orphans10": Support for 28 orphans
This is the 10th project to help orphans in the area of Yanga and surroundings since 2013.
Responsible: Sr. Jeanne Otemankoy, together with Abbé Lokanga Sylvain, the parson of Yanga
Project description received on 2 August 2023
Project approved by the Board on 8 September 2023
Amount: 2'940 USD (+ 5% for distribution + 1% bank charges in Congo)
24 orphans aged between 6 and 20 receive school fees, school supplies and school uniforms. The project also includes the costs of the state examination for three graduates after the 12th school year. The money was transferred in October 2023.
Salary for a teacher still not paid by the state (09)
Responsible: Sister Jeanne Otemankoy
Project approved by the Board on 25 April 2023
Amount: 1 x 768 UD (+ 1% bank charges in Congo).
The kindergarten teacher Oloko-Omokoko Willem is waiting since 2015 for the Congolese state to put him on its payroll. Therefore, we pay him the salary also in the school year 2023/24. The money was transferred at the beginning of December 2023.
Credit for important tasks of Sr. Jeanne (05)
Sr. Jeanne is regularly asked for help to solve smaller and larger problems, although as a nun she has no money of her own. After the good experience with credits for such emergencies in recent years, the Board decided on 16 January 2024 to provide Sr. Jeanne with an amount of 2'500 USD (+ 1% bank charges in Congo). This way she can continue to help quickly and unbureaucratically when people can no longer cope with their problems on their own. The money was transferred the same month. The final report is expected by December 2024.
Renovation of the kitchen "Direction"
This kitchen is important to cook for the doctors from Tshumbe during their visits to Yanga. The 1'200 USD approved by the Board for this purpose on 26 April 2022 was transferred in June 2022 and the final report of 6 August 2022 was approved by the Board on 13 August 2022.
Repair and renovation of the secondary school in Yanga (Building 1)
Responsible: Sr. Jeanne Otemankoy, Pascal Okitadjanga and Jean-Pierre Onyumbe
Project application received 15 May 2023
Amount: 11'543 USD (+ 1% bank charges in Congo)
The project was approved by the Board on 21 May 2023.
In 1988, thanks to the generous support of the catholic parishes of Rapperswil SG and Freienbach SZ, two school buildings were opened to accommodate classes from the 7th to the 12th school year, i.e. to the state exam. In recent years it has become increasingly clear that these buildings need to be renovated. In order to make this project financially makable, one of the two school buildings will be renovated this year and one next year. The cost estimate for House No. 1, including repair of the foundation, is 11'543 USD. A first instalment of 5'000 USD was transferred on 23 May 2023. This enabled the most important material purchases to be made. The 2nd instalment was transferred at the beginning of February 2024.
Project "Albinos10": Support for 34 people with albinism
Thanks to our help Father Pierre Ohanga and Rebecca Toko can effectively support 34 albinos aged 3 to 65 in Yanga, in Tshumbe and in Lodja.
Project submitted: 15 September 2023
Responsible: Rebecca Toko and Father Pierre Ohanga.
On 29 September 2023 the Board approved 2'740 USD (+10% for distribution) for these people in need. The money was transferred in October 2023. The final report was submitted at the end of January 2024 and approved by the Board on 8 February 2024.