A new op shop has opened by a family in Murray Bridge supporting communities back in their home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Delice Mulimbalimba and her family had to flee the African country in 2019 due to an assassination attempt on her husband, Dr Luc Mulimbalimba. The couple migrated to Strathalbyn in 2019 and in the past month have made the move to live in Murray Bridge with their five children.
The new op shop at 20 Bridge Street, shop 1, aims to raise funds for vulnerable communities back home via an NGO the married couple founded in 2010 called Mission in Health Care & Development. Thanks to their friends in South Australia, an Australian chapter has since been established.
Delice said the organisation has helped build three hospitals and a large school for 1,200 students in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“It’s a country that’s very rich in minerals but the people are very poor because of corruption. So, rebels when they go into a village they’ll rape women, they’ll kill the men, so you find women giving birth to children that they don’t know who their fathers are. So, we decided to start this organisation to help these women and to help these children,” Delice Mulimbalimba said.
The charity also runs microfinancing programs, buying animals and supplies to help empower local women to become more financially independent.
The shoes, clothes and art the women make are shipped back to sell in the op shop, along with clothes and other items donated by local community members here in South Australia.
Hear more from Delice Mulimbalimba speaking with Jennie Lenman at her new op shop in Murray Bridge via the audio play window below:
The op shop is open Mondays-Fridays 9am-4pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm.
A fundraiser is being held on Sunday 8 October from 1.30pm at the John Dohler Hall in Murray Bridge with entertainment from the Murray Bridge Concert Band. All are welcome to attend. RSVP by 5 October by emailing moulymasu@gmail.com.
