Providing hope, help at Kent’s Mother Africa

Vicky Folo Lituka fled from the Republic of Congo to America to get away from the war-torn African country.

But the transition to living in the U.S. becomes very challenging for Folo Lituka and other African women and their families, so that is where Kent’s Mother Africa resource center steps in to help.

“In Congo they are fighting and killing people that’s why we are here,” Folo Lituka said through an interpreter at a press conference organized by King County Executive Dow Constantine on Dec. 15 at Mother Africa, one of 27 nonprofit groups chosen this month by county officials to receive grants of $150,000 each as part of the Best Starts for Kids levy approved last year by voters.

”Life is very expensive in America,” Folo Lituka said. “They (Mother Africa) are doing good job with African women in this country. … They give me hope in life because they are helping me and African women in building skills that we didn’t know.”

The mother of two children, Folo Lituka explained how tough it can be to find a place to live.

“We want you to help us not just today but continue helping us and Mother Africa,” she said. “We don’t want to be homeless in this country. We ask you to help us with low-income housing because rent is very expensive. We cannot afford to pay $1,700 for two bedrooms.”

While Folo Lituka came to the Kent resource center from Congo, women also come here from Sudan, Somalia, Uganda and many other African countries.

Risho Sapano works as the executive director of Mother Africa, located since 2014 on the second floor of a Central Avenue South strip mall but a resource to African women since 2004.

“We serve about 200 families a year,” Sapano said. “They come not only from Kent but from across King County.”

The county funds will allow Mother Africa to expand its services.

“We will be able to provide a full-time case manager to assess the individual or family needs,” Sapano said. “From there we will tailor funds to meet their needs for intervention and prevention. Some might need small amounts to pay rent now or long term to pay for classes, open a bank account or build credit. Our clients are new to the U.S., so they don’t have credit history so when they apply for an apartment they are denied because they don’t have credit.”

Monia Vamulia, another Mother Africa client, came here about two years ago from the Republic of Congo.

“I have five kids, I found a job, had an accident on my job so I stayed home for many months,” Vamulia said through an interpreter. “Then I had another accident at work, so I am home with my kids and do not have money to pay rent. Mother Africa is helping me.”

Sapano said Mother Africa’s mission is to help the women build skills so they can advocate better for themselves and find better jobs. She said the center also helps assist in housing.

“A few of them receive public assistance, but they are eager to learn English and to excel in their jobs, and sometimes they are overworked but underpaid,” Sapano said. “We are trying to help them with resources and information, and with the flexible funds we will be able to support them to be stable in their homes.”

Constantine said the program to help families and kids is based on pilot project by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that starts with case managers who ask an important question of what do you need to avoid becoming homeless? He said that could mean help with a damage deposit or first month’s rent or clothes for a job interview.

“This is less expensive than falling into homelessness and needing emergency shelter,” Constantine said at the press conference. “We will ensure more families and children in our region have a safe, healthy, and warm place to live and the foundation to then take on other challenges in their lives.”

County officials picked Mother Africa to announce the funding awarded because of the work it does.

“Mother Africa helps women who came here as immigrants and refugees from across the African continent successfully transition into their new home,” Constantine said. “They provide resources and skill building to help women and children.”

The nonprofit groups applied to the county for funds. Kent Youth and Family Services also received a $150,000 grant.

County Councilman Dave Upthegrove, whose District 5 includes Kent, also spoke at the press conference.

“This Best Starts for Kids is new, different and really cool,” Upthegrove said. “It’s flexible dollars for families. Caseworkers will determine what kids and parents need to prevent homelessness with no strings attached.”

The county, however, will track how agencies use the funds and whether they were able to keep families from becoming homeless.

Upthegrove’s familiar with Mother Africa.

“Risho (Sapano) has been doing lots with very little with the women and families they serve,” he said.

Now Mother Africa can do more.

“We want to thank King County leadership for spearheading this and welcoming refugees and doing the right thing,” Sapano said.

The funds will help Mother Africa reach more women and children.

“In African immigrant communities it’s very shameful to be homeless,” she said. “They lost homes back home because of the war and violence. Some were housed in refugee camps a long time. So coming to the United States and feeling the threats of becoming homeless again in a country where they don’t speak the language becomes very challenging and traumatizing for them. We try to help them with resources they need to be successful.”