Friends of Butoke, Inc.,USA

Friends of Butoke, Inc. began informally in 2005 to support Butoke in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Butoke was founded by Dr. Cecile DeSweemer, who passed away on 11/27/18 after a long period of failing health.  Dr. Jean Lumbala Muamba, her adoped son and long-term partner is Butoke's Executive Director. Butoke ministers to the nutritional, food security, emergency, primary health care and the educational needs of the area's poor people. Butoke brings Light to the world. 

"Whoever is kind to the needy, honors God"   Proverbs 14:31

Dr. Jean remembers Dr. Cecile - Feb. 2018

Butoke Beacon - Nov. 2018 

Report of Butoke Activities 

Butoke provides for poor people in the Democratic Republic of Congo in four areas.

• Education

• Health Care

• Nutrition and Food Security

• Protection

 Orphan on her sleeping mat

Make a Difference Through Sponsorship

If you can, please sponsor the children of Butoke and help Dr. Cecile and Dr. Jean to care for the children. We don't need to be there to physically do the work and to help. All we ask of you is your prayers and your support. That is sufficient.

THINK ABOUT IT - PLEASE

 Dr. Cecile DeSweemer

1936-2018

World Council of Churches - Doer of God

  Children at Nutrition Center

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Mission

The Mission of Friends of Butoke, Inc. is to educate and raise funds among foundations, organizations and individuals in the United States for a humanitarian, nongovernmental organization entitled “Butoke” (Light).  Located in the West Kasai Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Butoke ministers to victims of poverty, oppression and abuse in areas of Food Security and Nutrition, Education, Access to Health Care, Malnutrition, Care of Those with Disabilities, and Human Rights. Friends of Butoke, Inc. shall serve in a supportive and advisory capacity relevant to the stated ministries of Butoke.



 Muela and Mujinga

The mother came in late November 2006 to the clinic in Tshikaji, severly ill, HIV positive. She had two children with her:  Muela, maybe 5 years old, carrying his little sister of 10-12 months.
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Dr. Jean Lumbala Muamba

Dr. Jean (center) met Cecile in about 2005, introduced by a neighboring night watchman.  Dr. Jean explained that he had long had a desire to be an MD but the family chose agriculture and he had worked in that field for 9 years while supporting his family. He said that he had two more years in medical school, but was running out of money and feared he would not be able to finish. Of special significance is the fact that he had worked for eight years as an agronomist, director of a technical college, provincial supervisor of seed multiplication and with agricultural extension.  Cecile had been working to stimulate planting of fields so people could become self-sustaining, i.e., collective fields and made a deal with Dr. Jean to be the technical coordinator of Butoke and she would support his medical studies.