Our history

On August 26, 2003, women from the Democratic Republic of Congo living in Boston, Massachusetts, USA met for a bridal shower. They talked about the difficulties faced by Congolese refugees and immigrants in the USA: language and cultural barriers making it difficult to access social services thus impeding their adjustement to life in the USA. They decided to create an association which goal will be to assist refugee and immigrant women and their families adjust to American life, achieve self-sufficiency and become productive citizens. They also planned to do humanitarian work in the Democratic Republic of Congo and help improve the welfare of women and children.

  At the initial meeting of the group on September 16, 2003, the mission, vision and goals of the association were identified. On October 5, 2003, a board of directors was developed and officers were elected. On November 1^st 2003, the first conference of the Congolese women of New England took place. On August 21^st 2004, CWANE hold a conference themed: “the Congolese woman and life in the United States: dialog on the adjustment process.” On May 21st 2005, a fundraiser to benefit gang-raped Congolese women in eastern Congo was held. Profits were sent to Docs On Call For Service, a non-profit organization in Goma, Eastern DRC to provide health care and psychlogical counseling to rape survivors.