Introduction:
For the month of September, all the programs under CDRC run successfully. All the activities in the project progressed well. Unfortunately, two of the CDRC staff Andrew and Le Bon are a little bit unwell, recovering after being hospitalized.
BUSINESS AFFAIRS & COMMUNITY ECONOMICS
i. Introduction:
Business Affairs and Community Economics classes have become so valuable and well liked within the Kala community as many people have realised how important it is to be knowledgeable about doing personal or collective business with guidance and rules for sustainability. With the education given to the community through Business Affairs and Community Economics, no one wishes himself to fail in what he does, instead the people now aim to succeed for self sufficiency and development.
ii. Indicators and statistics:
I think the that this year’s Theme on World Women’s Day, “Investing in Women and Girls for Sustainable Development,” made an impact on the lives and decisions of women in kala as women and girls were reminded of the active role they need to take as co-workers with men on matters related to development. It is good to see a high number of women that participated in Business Affairs and Community Economics as women now also realised that they can rise to heights in society if they work hard.
iii. Substantial problems/issues:
Students need to know and work with the related business affair accountancy documents such as ”ANALYSIS BOOKS,” which can not be purchased from Lusaka not Kawambwa. We request Alyssa to make this purchase on behalf of the CDRC Project.
iv. Wishes/request
Bigger numbers of participants request that these classes get conducted from within their sections to cut on distance of going to attend these classes from the high school. Analysis Books can be purchased from one time capital request from Alyssa so that students can have their lessons simplified.
v. UPCOMING PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
CDRC / Business Affairs and related lessons should also be taught at the departure center during repatriation days in order to re-emphasize well on what students learned and how they should always practice what they’ve acquired from C D R C business affairs /community economics skills for self sufficiency once they reach Congo D R. instead of becoming beggars relying on community or family assistance.
NON VIOLENT COMMUNICATION
I. INTRODUCTION
The project it still providing the Kala refugee community with skills for communicating compassionately with each other and with people whom they will find to Congo after they repatriate. is that we are still doing the best in order to start a new session.
II. INDICATORS AND STATISTICS
III. SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS/ ISSUE
Non Violent Communication run smoothly in September as there were no problems encountered during the month.
IV. WISHES AND REQUEST
Nothing big to be pointed out
V. UPCOMING PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
There is a plan to have a new session in the community for nonviolent communication to cut down on distance to the past learning venue so as to attract big numbers of participants in the community.
YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITIES
1. INTRODUCTION
This project has an ambition of educating youth to come together in order to discuss their concerns about repatriation and reintegration in their new communities in Congo. Unfortunately, as a result of many meetings that happened in the camp on repatriation, the youth became so busy following these meetings to get information for themselves from delegates in the end missing their classes. It was also difficult to organise these youth as many of them were on school holiday meaning that they became busy doing piece works around the community so as to find school materials and other essential needs when schools re-opened end of September. Youths have to be re-organised soonest as they can be found in school in bigger numbers now.
2. INDICATORS AND STATISTICS
N/A
3. SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS/ ISSUE
The Youth Group is also lagging behind because management did not see the need to purchase equipment for the youth like Microphones and a big radio which is a dependence syndrome difficult to rub off from this community as other IPS have already spoiled refugees into thinking that refugees can only perform if they have instruments. The youth though interested in these activities see the need to be paid a salary by FORGE Management for their time since they have many needs to meet in their lives.
4. WISHES AND REQUEST
Request for two youth groups employees so that they organise the group at 15hrs per month
5. UPCOMING PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EVENT
There will be a meeting on 12th of October, 2008 so that the youth group can be re-organised.
REINTEGRATION
i. INTRODUCTION
Reintegration information is vital to the Kala community as people begin to see the importance of starting life anew even after disorganization of war. This becomes a turning point for hope, for a brighter future and learning to stay in peace with others.
ii. INDICATORS AND STATISTICS
iii. SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS
The Statistics and Indicators have reduced so much because volunteers are no longer motivated to sensitize for participants in the community as they feel that they have volunteered enough for FORGE. The CDRC project has only three staff who are suppose to teach so hiring an extra staff to sensitize and raise awareness campaigns and recruitment of participants for sessions will benefit all the programs under CDRC
iv. WISHES AND REQUEST
To hire 1 Recruitment staff who will work 15 hrs per Month
v. UPCOMING PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EVENT
Continuation of current program
REPATRIATION INFORMATION
I. INTRODUCTION
Repatriation Information Sessions have continued attracting huge numbers of participants probably because repatriation has continued and people are anxious about going back to Congo. Participants want to know the process of repatriation so that they can make informed decision about going back to Congo. Because of continued speculations about fights in various parts of Congo, refugees aren’t registering in big numbers to go back to Congo. Of course, there are other lame excuses given by refugees about not wanting to return home like people are still preparing themselves but the above session help people to see the importance of repatriating home and being participating in rebuilding Congo as a nation not individuals.
INDICATORS AND STATISTICS
II. POSSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR INCREASE IN CLASS ATTENDANCE
In Repatriation Information Session there is big number of participants also due to the sessions that are being done at the repatriation transit centre during repatriation convoys. It means each and every one who is going back to DRC can not leave without getting some information concerning repatriation.
III. SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS
The CD player / radio stopped functioning properly. This became a hindrance in terms of sessions progression as this program involves playing of CDS and tapes in some cases.
IV. WISHES AND REQUEST
Buying a new radio will be necessary for these sessions in future. It will also become necessary to acquire some updated repatriation information materials from UNHC about the different places people are planning to repatriate to about security, health, education, and life in general.
V. UPCOMING PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EVENT
There will be a repatriation theatre entitled: NO PLACE LIKE HOME...
SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND
i. INTRODUCTION
The program for Search for Common Ground went on very well. People were as usual interested in the sessions both at the office centre and at the departure centre. The only draw back was with the radio which stopped functioning well. This means that people could not listen to the Search for Common Ground tapes and CDS.
ii. INDICATORS AND STATISTICS
iii. SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS
The people in the community are so interested in getting the news for themselves from the radio so repairing it will help attract a lot of participants at the centre. New information about Congo will also benefit participants more on issues about Congo which seem difficult to acquire in Kala
iv. WISHES AND REQUEST
There is need for a new radio which has a CD player so that listening sessions can continue. Forming a drama group for conflict transformation activities (Peace Acting Group) will also facilitate in neighbour conflict resolution as people return to Congo which will lead to an easy way of mingling as citizens of the same country.
v. UPCOMING PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EVENT
There is a plan about forming a peace group that will present sketches on matters of peace and reintegration at the departure centre.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
I. INTRODUCTION
In this month the department has gone more positively because all the participants are very much encouraged to attend the class. Because of some of explanation we gave about the skill we are giving and how it can help them when they will be repatriated in Congo. This program achieved its goal during the past month. People are happy to get this training as it helps them become leaders in themselves. After attending classes on Community Development people get empowered with skills on integral development of the whole person, therefore being agents of development for themselves and for their communities. This is important as it brings about self reliance and creativity in all individuals.
II. INDICATORS AND STATISTICS
III. SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS
The department had no major problems during the month. A good number of people attended the classes on community development despite for disturbances of un foreseen meetings and food distribution which caused participants to be late for classes on certain occasions.
IV. WISHES AND REQUEST
An additional staff requested above will help in the smooth running of this project under CDRC.
V. UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Continuation with the current sessions to the end.
