PROJECTS
EDUCATION
A child’s right to education entails the right to learn. Yet, for too many children across the Congo, schooling does not lead to learning. Over 1,500 children in Uvira are unable to attain minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics, even though two thirds of them are in school. For out-of-school children, foundational skills in literacy and numeracy are further from grasp. Children are deprived of education for various reasons. Poverty remains one of the most obstinate barriers. Children living through economic fragility, political instability, conflict or natural disaster are more likely to be cut off from schooling – as are those with disabilities, or from ethnic minorities. In some places, education opportunities for girls remain severely limited. Even in schools, a lack of trained teachers, inadequate education materials and poor infrastructure make learning difficult for many students. Others come to class too hungry, ill or exhausted from work or household tasks to benefit from their lessons. Compounding these inequities is a digital divide of growing concern: Most of the school-aged children do not have internet connection in their homes, restricting their opportunities to further their learning and skills development.
Without quality education, children face considerable barriers to employment later in life. They are more likely to suffer adverse health outcomes and less likely to participate in decisions that affect them – threatening their ability to shape a better future for themselves and their societies.
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Board member Mary Rashidi handing out school supplies to one of our atudents
There are no public schools in Congo, so without money for tuition, students are unable to receive a formal education. Individual students can be sponsored at $100/year. This provides school fees and supplies, giving this child a greater chance of a successful future.
Maria receiving schools supplies from KCCA board member Mary Rashidi
NEW BUSINESS STARTUPS
Start up cash for new businesses
- $100 start up project for single
mothers and widows, 20 women
in the farming community of
Luvungi and 20 in Uvira were
chosen. They had many ideas of
the businesses that they could
start and were very excited.
KCCA will check them monthly
and in 3 months they need to
show that they are making a
profit. If they are not they are
pulled from the program and
any money left needs to be
returned. The women will
each give $1 to KCCA/month
to encourage others to the future.
​​The KCCA Congo Board told us that with a farm we could grow maize, the basic food they eat, helping to address the malnutrition that is such a serious problem. With a $4,000 donation we purchased land that now grows maize/corn. Due to extremely dry conditions this year we are needing to ration it to the community.
FARMING
Years when the rains are good, we have enough to feed the community as well as sell any excess. Pray for rain!
We would like to add some livestock as we have the land. We have some pigs that have been bred and plan to sacrifice one at Christmas as a very special treat for the children! We would like to expand our livestock with more pigs, chickens, goats and cattle. Donations for livestock and to support the farm would be greatly appreciated.
SEWING
During Summer 2022Joto and Mary spenta month in Uvira, Congo observing, listening and building relationships with the local community. They were there to see what is working well and what the most pressing needs are and how best to apply our resources and donations. They heard from many women that desperately want and need a way to support their families.
The solution that arose was to rent a community center with one of the uses to start a sewing center. Joto and Mary purchased 10 sewing machines, some are basic and some do very elaborate embroidery. Two accomplished seamstresses volunteered to teach women interested in learning sewing. Many women signed up to learn but the enrollment is capped at 120 to start lessons. There are 3 classes/day, 5 days a week.
BUSINESS STARTUPS
Widows in DR Congo, Uvira and Luvungi were selected, and started with a 3 hr. seminar given by a business man on how small businesses work. Rules were set and they agreed to work and support KCCA for this small business program that will give them hope for tommorow.
FISHING​
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The KCCA Board in Uvira informed the Lexington Board that there was a great opportunity to have a fishing operation on a local lake. The operation could offer jobs and provide needed food/protein to the community. Several generous donors made that a reality and KCCA now has the largest fishing business on Lake Tanganyika.
FUTURE PROJECTS....
KCCA SCHOOL​
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There are currently no public schools in Congo. At KCCA, we firmly believe in the importance of an education and therefore plan to build a school one day. With our own school, we would be able to ensure orphans of all ages have the ability to attend class from elementary through high school. We'd also have the option of collecting tuition from students outside of our organiztion.
FARM TRACTOR​
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Much of the cultivation and harvesting on our farm is currently performed manually. While this is adequate for a small yield, we hope to acquire a tractor someday. This would enhance the size of our crop, and not only provide more maize to eat, but will also allow the sale of the excess crop.