Building Hope, Justice and Peace in the

Mining Communities of Kolwezi (DRC)

Good Shepherd ProgramsInterim Report - March 2014

The Good Shepherd Programs started working in the mining communities of Kolwezi in 2013 to:

1. Increase food security and family income through an Alternative Livelihoods Programs

2. Decrease gender discrimination through an Economic Empowerment Program for the most vulnerable girls and women

3. Strengthen child protection policies and improve nutritional and education services for children through a Child Protection and Development Program

4. Strengthen cohesive citizenship for an equitable distribution of resources and accountability of the mining companies through a Civic Strengthening Program.

Here are some of the results so far…

Children

Since October 2013, 719 children are regularly attending the informal school program. 95% of the children-miners registered in the program have attended a wide range of child development activities. Daily porridge provision at school contributed to the improved attendance rates.

More children

go to school

All children engaged in the program now understand the dangers of going to the mines and report that they prefer to remain in ‘school’ rather than to “go there”.

As a result, less than 10% of the registered students continue to work in the mines. Of those, they enter the mines for work only occasionally.

Fewer children are

working in the

mines

70% of the parents show increased commitment in the educational development of their children. For the first time ever, parents have started following up on children’s progress and discourage them from going to work in the mines.

Parents give more

value to children’s

education

30 of the children registered are orphans and their lone meal of the day is provided by the program. Still, they prefer to keep out of the mines even if they are hungry. Thanks to the improved nutrition levels, the teachers observed a significant improvement in the motivation of the students and in their overall performance compared to last year.

All children can now eat at least

once a day and don’t have to work in

the mines to survive.

Children participate in the Children’s Parliament and in the Culture, Justice and Peace clubs. They have become friendlier and less bullying is occurring. 10% shows great potential in creativity and arts. 20% still exhibit violent and physically abusive behavior with peers and need additional care and support.

Fewer incidents

due to violent

behaviours

The community around the Child Protection Program has turned the Good Shepherd Centre into a ‘crime reporting venue’. The Centre is becoming more aware of the rate of violence in the community, especially against women and children; it is working intensely in advocacy and education on human rights.

Victims of violence

now have a place

to ask for

protection

Girls and

Women

Additional research by the local team found that over 80% of girls/women in the mining area can neither read nor write.

The majority have two pregnancies in a 12-month period.

70% are forced to remain in their homes and can’t leave the compounds.

90% of neighbours are strangers and are suspicious of each other.

Tribe/province divides and witchcraft are a major factor of tension and suspicion in the community.

103 Women of the mining community have been educated on the importance of literacy and on healthy and safe ways of generating income as alternatives to artisanal mining.

Thanks to the project

women now are

aware that a better

life is possible

134 illiterate and vulnerable girls and women continued their training in literacy, arithmetic, knitting, sewing and other home-management and business skills.

They also received education on prevention of HIV / AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, family planning, personal hygiene and legal counselling on human rights and violence prevention.

A radio spot on the women’s improved condition in Kolwezi was prepared by the staff and aired. It has been so successful that it was aired two more times due to the public demand and request.

More girls

experience

empowerment

Following parent’s meetings, participation and interest in supporting the development of the girls has improved by 5%. 15 parents contributed towards the repairs of machines and made consistent provision for their daughters’ training materials. 30 parents/guardians attended meetings regularly.

And more girls feel

they are valued by

parents and community

Two girls with blood related complications whose parents had given up on because of their inability to afford medical care, were successfully treated by the District Health administration at no cost, due to the positive working relationships with the Good Shepherd programs.

Girls know that now

someone listens and

responds to their needs

Community

30+ women and men whose income used to come solely from dangerous miningactivities, are now fully engaged in the newly established “Maisha (life) Farm Cooperative” in20 acres of land donated by the Diocese.

From mining

to farming

The Government donated crops and the mining company Kamoto Copper provided a tractorwith driver and an agricultural officer to plough and plant the land. The members of thecooperative have been trained in pig and goat rearing, poultry keeping, nursery-bedpreparation, and general crop care. 58 people took part in cleaning the land for planting.

24 young men were trained in fish farming and are now participating in the digging and preparing of two fish ponds.

28 families secured vegetables for consumption

and sale following the first successful harvest

Members of the farm coop participated in a joint exhibition with World Vision to market the produce. TV, Radio and local authorities appreciated the event and the products. Local business owners and Government agencies signed an agreement to develop a market for the Maisha Farm’s produce.

A market

for the

Farm

To all our friends at Misean cara Ireland,Harris Fraser VCF,GS of Singapore/Malaysia,GS of Taiwan,Youth for Economic Justice and many others, who made this start-up possible, a BIG

Thank you!