A grant of $5,133 from Baptist World Aid has helped provide an association of handicapped individuals in Congo to better support themselves.

A number of people in Congo suffer from physical handicaps as a result of tribal conflicts and war.

The Union of Baptist Churches in Congo (UEBCO) received the grant to provide support to ACHAP, an association formed by 25 handicapped individuals as a step towards more independent living.

The ACHAP members started out by doing needlework, begging and selling calendars in order to earn enough money to eat.

Since its formation, the group has grown to 75 members and its activities now include the buying and selling of clothes, fuel, beans and soaps.

With the help of UEBCO, bicycles have been made especially for the handicapped that are able to carry up to 200kg.

They have also acquired new sewing machines, one hand-operated and three pedal, to be used in their needlework business.

The BWAid funds also made it possible for the ACHAP members to rent property for one year as a base for their activities, supplies and needlework equipment.