The need in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is immense. The country has suffered from the deadliest outbreak of Ebola in history, civil war, and political unrest. Despite an abundance of natural resources and over $24 trillion in mineral wealth, many residents live below the poverty line. Five Talents started the DRC programme in 2018, in partnership with the Diocese of Aru and the Mothers’ Union.

The programme’s Groups will first receive literacy and numeracy training before they move on to our traditional Savings Groups where they will save and loan alongside business training. In 2020 we formed over 100 new Literacy Groups and all Groups formed in 2019 graduated on to saving & loaning.

The Programme

There are currently 4.5 million internally displaced people in DRC (UNHRC). Sadly, conflict is ongoing in many regions. Aru, where we work, is currently peaceful. The local communities there are excited for our combination of literacy, business skills training, savings and loans groups. Our CEO, Rachel, visited the programme in 2018 and received an enthusiastic welcome from new members (see video on right)!

Community trainers have already formed quite a few Groups, and currently there are over 1,700 participants who have graduated from literacy training and are now saving. We are continuing to mobilize the community leaders to support Aru. These leaders are also training Groups in trauma healing and sexual & gender-based violence protection to combat violence against women.

Where to next?

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