Apprenticeship program (Kinshasa, DR Congo) – International Resource Information

To learn a trade through three workshops: sewing, IT, and cooking.

Where: Kinshasa, the Kimbondo and Ngafani neighbourhoods.

Project summary: promoting the socio-professional integration of young girls at high risk of marginalisation through practical training in three workshops:
• A sewing workshop;
• A cooking/pastry workshop;
• An IT workshop.

Beneficiaries: 150 girls, between 12 and 18 in extreme poverty, with little or no education.

Partners:

– Local partner : Le Centre Congolais de Culture, de Formation et de Développement (CECFOR). CECFOR is a Congolese non-profit organisation which promotes education, basic training, health and development projects in D.R. Congo.
– Have supported or support this project:
– The King Baudoin foundation. by opening a “project account”, thanks to which IRIF, education promotors donors were able to benefit from tax exemption for donations above 40 €.
– ING Bank & Insurances. The contribution of this institution made it possible to equip the computer workshop with new and quality equipment: 7 laptops, 2 scanners, current stabilisers, etc.
– GROS Schilde. For more than 20 years, the support of this Antwerp municipality has made it possible to renew and maintain the equipment of our various workshops.

How can you help?

By sponsoring material from one of the following items:
• A textbook for each student: 15 €/textbook
• Starters pack (fabrics for sewing lessons or kitchen utensils): 30 €/student
• Raw materials for restoration courses: 130€/year
• A sewing machine: 300€
• A teacher’s wage: 500€/month

How can you help?

By helping us finance the purchase of a generator and its transport. Our project is supported by the King Baudouin Foundation and any donation over €40 is tax-exempt.

By sponsoring material from one of the following items: ….

• a few hours of electricity (GEN fr)

Your support, however modest, can make a big difference! Marcelina, one of the students, testifies:
I’m 17 years old and I would like to become someone good. I live in the Kimbondo neighbourhood with my uncle. I’m the third in a family of seven children. My uncle signed me up for the Kimbondo project to learn to read and write. Schools in my country are abandoned and classes are not regular. I would love to learn how to make cakes to have my own little cake shop. With the money I’d then save, I would like to help my unemployed father bring my little brothers back to Kinshasa. I want to know how to read and write so that one day I can have my place in society.