The Vision
My Child & Me, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to stabilizing families by elevating the quality of life of the abandoned mothers with children living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The overall objective of My Child & Me, Inc. is to see the families of these abandoned mothers stabilized and productive. These mothers will recognize they are valued members of the society and will take their places as business owners, entrepreneurs, and mothers full of integrity and self-esteem. They will become empowered to the point of knowing that they too can be change agents and reach out to help someone else.
My Child & Me recognizes the devastating impact of war and sexual violence on women and children in the Congo. Many fathers have abandoned their families resulting in dislocated families, physical and psychological trauma, sex crimes against street children, child labor and prostitution, poverty, as well as a general denigration and deterioration of the family unit.
My Child & Me, Inc. is working to provide the means for these abandoned mothers with children to regain their foothold in the society by empowering the mothers through education, training in life skills, and offering them the tools they need to provide for themselves and their children. My Child & Me, Inc. is working to strengthen the capacity of these abandoned mothers to protect and provide for their family units by undertaking the following programs:
- The operation of a Distribution Center to facilitate the distribution of food products such as rice, flour, and beans to the mothers who will in turn sell them for a profit. My Child & Me will then educate and train these mothers to manage these profits for food, education for their children, and other necessities; and
- The operation of a Training Facility to provide abandoned mothers with education, coaching, and life skills training such as basket weaving, sewing, jewelry making, soap making, etc.
- With the support of churches and other organizations, My Child and Me brings together volunteers to rebuild and repair the homes of its abandoned mothers with children. These mothers work hand-in-hand with volunteers to rehabilitate and transform their houses into stable, permanent homes.
Founder: Josette's Story
Josette Zahinda is the founder of My Child & Me, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to stabilizing families by elevating the quality of life of the abandoned mothers with children living in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Josette came to the United States on a scholarship to further her education. While in college she met her husband, and they began a family. Josette looked forward to married life and to accomplishing her dreams. This was not Josette’s reality. Her life took a dramatic turn when she found herself in an abusive marriage, full of fear and pain.
After 10 years of marriage, Josette was abandoned and homeless with two young children and a baby on the way. She was referred to an agency that saved her life and the lives of her children. This organization gave Josette a home, food, protection and knowledge to break free from the cycle of domestic violence. As a result of the support Josette received, she now has a stable career; her children are successfully pursuing higher education, and her family is stronger from the experience.
During a visit to her homeland of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Josette was struck by the number of abandoned mothers and “street children.” Many of these “street children” are the result of years of sexual violence against women. The Fathers have abandoned their families due to the stigma attached to sexual violence. The Mothers are left to provide for the children in any way possible. These mothers have very little means to earn a living or to provide food and shelter for their families. As such, their children live in poverty and are often recruited into child labor rings and prostitution.
Josette immediately identified with these abandoned mothers. She realized that her life could have been the same had it not been for the help she received in America. These mothers desperately need help, and this realization stirred the beginning of Josette’s passion to help abandoned mothers. Josette’s suffering would not be in vain. She would now reach out and help someone, just as she had been helped. Out of her personal ashes was born My Child & Me, Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President & Founder
Josette Zahinda is President and founding member of My Child and Me, a nonprofit organization dedicated to stabilizing families by elevating the quality of life of the abandoned mothers with their children presently in Congo DR. For the past 19 years, she has worked in the sales and customer service departments for United Airlines.
Josette is a mother of three children. When Josette was pregnant with her third child, she found herself with two young children in a women shelter due to domestic violence. That experience led her to become a strong advocate for women and children victims of domestic violence. Josette presently serves on the Board of Directors for the Loudoun Citizen for Social Justice also known as LAWS, an organization that provides assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Virginia. Josette holds a bachelors degree in Christian education and an MBA.