Project Jobs

Through your generosity, Mwendo Congo raised the full $155,000 for Project JOBS. As an all-volunteer organization, we are awed by what can happen when people come together, are inspired, and give from their hearts. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the construction crew in Bukavu, DRC – including many workers trained at Let Africa Live (LAV) – completed the construction of all three production spaces in October 2020. 

The new production facility will serve as a workshop with equipment received from generous donors in Scandinavia.. The three services at this new facility will be welding, auto mechanics, and carpentry. Read more here about the partnerships that made this project possible.

The existing facility in downtown Bukavu will continue to serve participants in various professional skill training programs and provides safe housing in a dormitory for vulnerable girls who experienced rape, along with their children. The acquisition of land and construction of the production facility allows LAV to further its mission of providing services to high-risk, under-served youth in Bukavu and the surrounding regions. Be a partner in their impact: support their ongoing work by making a tax-deductible donation here. 

Virtual Event Celebrating the Completion of Project Jobs

We had a wonderful time meeting (virtually) with our partner organization Let Africa Live (LAV) in August 2020. The program included an update on the new production facility, including a virtual tour! We also learned how Let Africa Live (LAV) leaders and students are coping in the midst of the pandemic. Finally, we had some conversation about connections between LAV's work with trauma healing and what the US and world is going through in terms of racial and historical trauma. Check out the full video of the event below. In addition to the good conversation, there is a wonderful video showing the new production center that was put together by LAV, this video starts around the 16 minute mark in the video below.

Background

The conflict spanning more than two decades in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has stolen opportunity from the country's youth. Many have lost family members, stable housing, and educational opportunities due to the conflict. Others have been forced to work in mines or join armed militias. One of the organizations that Mwendo Congo supports, Let Africa Live (LAV), provides vocational training, trauma healing, and other services to support affected youth in the South Kivu region of the DRC. LAV has several training and production sites, but they have to pay exorbitant rent. To ensure the sustainability and increase the impact of their program, LAV invited financial investment from their network of local and international partners to support 1) purchase of land for a production site, and 2) the construction and furnishing of three production facilities on that land. These facilities will be a valuable resource to local youth affected by the conflict, and to the local commerce of the city of Bukavu.