On a cold, windy morning in Inongo, the main town of Mai Ndombe province, the beach across from the Mai Ndombe REDD+ project's main office is bustling with activity. Project staff, fishermen, and locals gather around a petite woman who seems to give attention to everyone simultaneously. She serves snacks to an ever-growing group of customers. With the lake's stormy waters preventing anyone from venturing out to fish, the crowd shows no signs of dispersing.
This sought-after, jovial merchant of tea and accompaniments is Jeanine Iyemebien, a 46-year-old native of the province. She embodies how community-centered conservation can positively impact local residents.
Married at an early age, Jeanine knew nothing beyond working in agricultural fields in her village and depending on her husband for financial support. After the young couple welcomed their first child, a boy, tragedy struck. Jeanine's husband developed a mental illness that required him to seek treatment in Kinshasa.
Left without support, Jeanine made the bold decision to relocate with her baby to Inongo, the province’s main town. There, with her infant strapped to her back, she began selling hot tea to afford modest accommodation and basic necessities. Initially, she struggled to make ends meet due to limited local interest in her products. Unable to provide for her son, she had to entrust him to her mother-in-law, who took him to Kinshasa.
Things changed for the better when she heard about the implementation of a community-centered conservation project’ offices in town. She targeted the Mai Ndombe office’s staff as her new customer base, as she noticed that they consumed tea daily and in large quantities. An even bigger opportunity arose when Marilyn Elembe, the project's gender affairs officer, noticed Jeanine's intelligence and honesty as a vendor and recruited her. Now, Jeanine works with the Mai-Ndombe REDD+ project, managing sales of agricultural products from women's groups. She plays a crucial role in women's empowerment initiatives, particularly in selling perishable goods.
After each sale, Jeanine and Marilyn travel to the project concession to distribute earnings to the participating women. She ensures that all women, regardless of marital status, benefit from their hard work through the Mai-Ndombe REDD+ project.
"I find satisfaction in selling women’s merchandise from the project zone, even when things don't go as planned," says Jeanine. "My joy comes from working with the Mai Ndombe REDD+ project to help women achieve financial independence and support their families."