In 1999 we met two gentlemen from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They were working for a month in South Burlington, Vermont.  We invited them over for dinner one evening and were deeply moved as we listened to them talk about life in the DRC. We put human faces to the stories they told of their country’s plight. 

At the end of the evening we asked what we could do to help from our home in Vermont.  One of the gentlemen, Baudouin Kutuka, promised to get in touch with us after he returned home.  Baudouin, who worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), began communicating with us by e-mail suggesting ways that we could help the people in the DRC.  Our first efforts involved Baudouin’s wife Masey.  She was a dress maker and ran a sewing program for pregnant women; most of the women were under the age of 18 and had no marketable skills.  With the training they received from Masey they were able to leave the street life behind and support themselves and their children.  After completing the program, each of them was given a sewing machine with the understanding they would begin to reimburse Masey after they had worked for 3 months.  Over a three year period we sent over 3,500 lbs of sewing materials and clothing to help support this program. 

Our Name

Henriette was born into an educated Congolese family on October 15, 1999. She learned to love God, people and animals. With her sister Sofia, they always made payers before going to bed and in the morning. She liked songs and prayers. One of the songs she liked very much was:" Hi my god! Hi my God, open my mind and help me to help others".

Just shy of her second birthday, she lost her life to malaria, a continuing scourge in much of the developing world. For her parents, Baudouin and Masey, and older sister Sofia, Henriette’s death in August 2001 left a huge hole in the family and how they spent weekends together.

Henriette was prepared by her parents to serve humanity through small humanitarian activities.  She was one year old when her parents began taking her and her sister, Sofia, to visit three of Kinshasa’s feeding centers-orphanages, sharing meals with the children, many malnourished and some abandoned. Most of the time, Sofia and Henriette gave a symbolic piece of bread to the malnourished children.  The family was moved by the joy that these visits brought to their children and those at the centers. It was a lesson and an inspiration the family took to heart. 

In searching for a way to honor the memory of young Henriette and her family’s devotion to Kinshasa’s orphans, we founded the US based Henriette’s Relief Project (HRP) and the Congolese based Henriette Kutuka Memorial Fund (HKMF).  Baudouin and Masey are happy to see the name of Henriette honored through this effort, especially if it helps mobilize people to be attentive to the plight of children suffering in the DRC and many other places around the world.

On Friday, December 28, 2001, Woods Tea Company played a benefit concert at the Peru Community Church in Peru, New York.  All ticket proceeds ($1300) went to the Henriette’s Relief Project via the International Rescue Committee. Those funds were used specifically for food and medicine for children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  Wood’s Tea Company (WTC) also decided, much to my surprise and joy, to donate 90% of their CD sales that evening ($625) to this fund as well!

This good fortune all began with a phone call I received from South Burlington resident Rusty Jacobs. He had read my first article in The Other Paper (our local small town paper) and called to say he was interested in donating some clothing.  He went on to say that he was the member of a local band that does a benefit concert every year and that if I told him more about my project, perhaps they could be of some help.  To my utter delight, it was the Wood’s Tea Company!  My heart sang for joy!  I was familiar with their music through First Night Burlington where my husband and I had enjoyed them for years.  They weave a musical trail through rousing sea chanties, lively folk music, spirited bluegrass and haunting Celtic ballads.  Shortly thereafter I met with the group, and without hesitation they were

We could not have known the sadness and difficult times that were to come.  Chip Chase died suddenly October 8, 2006, as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier that year.  Chip was a phenomenal fiddler, singer, and integral part of WTC.  Less than a year later Rusty Jacobs suddenly left us, he died from a heart attack.  Rusty sang, played the guitar, penneywhistle and bodhran and was the bands main spokesperson on stage.  We are forever indebted to these four outstanding individuals…Chip Chase, Rusty Jacobs, Mike Lussen, and Howard Wooden for their care, concern and generosity.  They made every effort to give us opportunities to get Henriette’s story and the plight of the Congolese people out.  

Now, after taking time to recover and regroup, the Woods Tea Company currently consists of regulars Howard Wooden and Michael Lessen, with Tom MacKenzie (a founding member) back on board and in 2009 Patti Casey will join the group.  For more information on the Wood’s Tea Company and their performance schedule, visit them on the web at www.woodstea.net.

Back in 2001when Rusty Jacobs first called me, curious to learn a bit about Henriette’s Relief Project (HRP),  how could I have known a most brilliant star was about to enter my life!  Being a Wood’s Tea Company fan and on the shy side, I was in absolute awe that someone of his stature would take the time and effort to learn about our tiny project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was more than a little nervous to come and speak to the rest of the band at his request!   They were very famous! 

Rusty became a friend and integral part of our small effort, allowing us to do more than we had ever dreamed possible with our bake sales.  Rusty joined our small HRP board, arriving at meetings always with blue shoebox filled with donations from their most recent tour!      

Rusty left us suddenly on August 16, 2007. I feel so privileged and honored to have called Rusty Jacobs my friend.  I will forever cherish his faith and trust in David, Baudouin and I and our efforts, and remember his warmth, humility, compassion and fun loving nature that has enriched my life beyond measure.