Friends of Butoke, Inc., USA
Friends of Butoke, Inc. is a small NGO that began informally in 2005 to support Butoke in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Butoke ministers to the nutritional, food security, educational, emergency and primary health care needs of the area's poor people.
Butoke was founded by Dr. Cecile DeSweemer, who passed away in 2018 after a long period of failing health. Dr. Jean Lumbala Muamba, her adopted son and long-term partner, is Butoke's Executive Director. The name "Butoke" means light in Swahili.
Butoke brings "Light "to the world.
(Primary and Emergency)
(Primary and Emergency)
HEALTH CENTER
HEALTH CENTER
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
NUTRITION
FOOD SECURITY
FOOD SECURITY
ORPHANAGE
ORPHANAGE
WHAT WE DO
WHAT WE DO
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.
VISION
We want the children to be fed, clothed, housed and educated, such that each person becomes a unique and free individual who can contribute to the well-being of the Congolese society and lead a promising, productive long life.
ABOUT US
Friends of Butoke
Friends of Butoke supports the work of Butoke, a humanitarian NGO in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Butoke provides food, clothing, and housing to orphans, education to children, treatment of malnutrition to the area's poor people, including the elderly, primary and emergency medical care, and food security, including the growing of crops. It has established a self-supporting clinic and a maternity hospital in the Kasai province of DRC, and a pharmacy in Kinshasa.
In 2010 Butoke was awarded a certificate of national recognition as a NGO by the Minister of Justice in the DRC, which bestows tax-exempt status and other benefits on Butoke.
Friends of Butoke was awarded tax exempt status as a public charity under section 501 (c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. 99 percent of donations go directly to support Butoke in the DRC.
Dr. Jean Lumbala Muamba
Dr. Jean is the Executive Director of Butoke. He met Dr. Cecile, the founder of Butoke, in about 2005. They developed a relationship of mother to son over the years.
"She made me who I am today. She taught me not to be discouraged even if the situation was complicated, that I must always have hope in Jesus Christ. She taught me to serve others, especially those who are vulnerable. She taught me how to cope in life. I am a doctor today thanks to Cecile who not only paid for my studies but especially made me a gentleman."
Dr. Jean with Board Members, Jeannine White and Adrienne Scott, in 2018. Dr. Cecile DeSweemeri is seated in front.