(Note - This blog was written by the refugee Project Facilitator for this project. As English is not his first language, there may be some minor grammatical errors in his writing. Care was taken to clarify any passages that were confusing, while leaving most of the blog untouched in order to preserve his original tone.)
Summary
Classes under CDRC have continued. Participants are always eager to learn and know more about Congo, build their skills and talents through Business Economics and other related subject and courses taught at the centre. Repatriation has also continued though the convoy which had left last Thursday has returned since the ship was rescheduled when the convoy was already at the port. This trip has further been designed to be by road on 8th September.
I. Youth group activities (project)
Summary
These activities educate youth peer educators, equips them with information to educate other youth about repatriation process and what they can expect upon return to DRC. This is a good opportunity for youths to come together and discuss their fears, concerns, issues and hope regarding repatriation. Youths use the arts (poetry), dances, songs, theatre and so on… to express their feelings about repatriation and educate other youth. The youth performed on stated topics and the community was impressed with the education behind the performance. Some of the parents said that they were encouraged to go home through the sketches since these sketches removed fear in them and also give hope to all to return to their country which is their true home and heritage.
Up coming project activities and events
Youth group would like to have a performance about repatriation and its effects in kala and the changes brought about in community during the repatriation process. Some families and marriages are breaking down as a result of repatriation. This happens when people within the family start to argue about which province they should be repatriated to. Who wants o be resettled or not. These youth performances help in family bonding, conflict resolution, non violence communication within families so that all people should be listened to and not impose ideas on others but resolve differences amicably.
II. REINTEGRATION (project)
Summary
The purpose of this project is to provide the training to the refugees on how they can reintegrate in new community once they arrive in a new place especially back home in Congo especially after leaving home for a while, finding that those who never left the country took over plots and so on. It has empasis on looking at life anew and uniting with neighbours in Congo so that together people can rebuild their nation.
Substantial problems / issues
The statistics has gone so low because the volonteers are weakening with sensitization. The volunteering spirit in kala camp is always limited and measured. The few staff (3) in the project need to work hard to sensitize within the community so that the classe can reagain it statistics. The other option could by hiring one person to be particularly sensitizing people in the community about these classes.
Up coming activities
A new reintegration class will start soon since the old one just graduated
III. REPATRIATION INFORMATION SESSION (project)
Summary
In repatriation information session, we are privileged to have the opportunity to teach a bigger number of people right from the departure centre. This is done to re emphasis on search for common ground , non violent communication for returnees so that when they return back home they can live in peace.
Up coming activities and events
There is a plan to have some kind of repatriation theatre in the community to give people more information on repatriation and unite.