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Ending fears of an uncertain future

Caritas Goma runs projects assisting people, such as Adela, with returning to their home after the worst of the conflict has passed [Richard Wainwright]

Since inter-ethnic wars erupted in 1993, the North Kivu Province has experienced serious insecurity. Caritas Goma runs a series of projects to help the population recover from the conflict

The Masisi population that was formerly to be prosperous due to thousands of heads of cattle in its possession found itself impoverished and pauperised due to armed conflicts.

Before the 1993 war started, those living in the North Province made a good living from farming, but agricultural production in the Masisi territory sharply dropped because of constant population movement and insecurity.

This insecurity was also made worse by households not being able to exchange their goods because markets were inaccessible.

Schoolchildren have been the first victims of different armed conflicts; the majority either being enrolled in the army by force or abandoning their village to seek refuge.

The future of these children remains uncertain and bleak because even with the existence of some school buildings, schools equipment still lacks.

The Masisi population is now returning home slowly and getting back to its former activities. To stabilise this population, Caritas Goma has relaunched farming and got children back into school.

Youth component

CAFOD supports two partners working with young people in eastern DRC: CAJED (Concert d’Action pour les Jeunes Enfants Défavorisés) which specialises in street children and Caritas Bukavu, which started out with child soldiers.

Both partners now work together on a joint programme to re-integrate disadvantaged children through skills training, and facilitating the children returning home.

Examples of activities include creating youth solidarity clubs, organising briefing sessions and exchange visits between the partners, organising peace campaigns, HIV/AIDS and other awareness raising.