IMPACT AND INSIGHTS
IMPACT AND INSIGHTS
Overview
RAF Global in D.R.Congo is driven by the vision of a resilient society that is free from poverty and where every woman, man, and child leads a fulfilling life with dignity, peace, and security of rights. The projects we implement and the way we plan, engage and leverage the collective strengths of various stakeholders define our endeavour to improve the quality of life of people in project areas.
We systematically monitor the ongoing programme/projects and have a constant desire and willingness for excelling at what we do. The effectiveness of project outcomes in bringing about a transformative change in the target population, and sustainability are key considerations for us. We understand opportunities on the ground, that there are several factors besides the project efforts that could contribute towards an outcome. We ask ourselves critical questions while designing development interventions that help us strengthen our work, and engage with multiple stakeholders in effective partnerships.
RAF Global’s National Presence in D.R.Congo and Reach
Strategic Partnerships
Beneficiaries Reached
%
Resources Allocated To Health Sector
Impact Videos
An Emerging Women & Child Development Hub at Mpasa, Nsele
Improving Access to Safe & Reliable water for rural communities in Kinshasa province (D.R.Congo)
Success Stories
Illuminating Lives- Story of a woman electrician
Mulumba Kasonga Beruth is a young woman, living in Quartier Mikonga of the Nsele commune. Mulumba could not complete her secondary education due to financial hardships. Later, when she came to know about the courses provided by RAF Global supported vocational centres in the locality, she decided to enroll herself.
Mulumba had studied electrical works at her school. She aspired to gain a greater technical understanding of the subject. After intensive training, today, she works as an electrician in the commune. Mulumba has also been offered an opportunity at one of the vocational training centres to assist the Professor of Electrical works and provide practical support to all trainees enrolled in the course on electrical work.
Case Study of a Group Income Generation Activity
In the year 2022, with the kind material support of Fourways SARL to 5 enterprising youth of Orphelinat Mama Koko, Kimbondo, RAF Global initiated one group-based income generation activity. The youth were earlier trained in the bakery and now, they are provided with one-time seed capital in the form of raw materials for baking bread as well as, making use of the orphanage’s bakery unit and equipment, during the hours when the kitchen is not operating.
The youth bake three types of bread with costs ranging from 200 FC to 500 FC. They have engaged 7 poor women who take the freshly baked bread early morning (between 4-5am) and sell them in the neighbourhood. 4 of these women are direct buyers ie. they buy bread from the bakers’ group every day and pay in cash. The remaining 3 women buy bread in large quantities for wholesale operations and are the main suppliers of bread, in their area of operation from whom small vendors as well as individuals buy bread for various purposes. Termed depositors, these women buy bread on credit and repay the next day.
The bakers’ group has also incentivised these systems so, an individual bread seller in this chain, gets 25 percent of the sales benefit at the end of the month while the depositors get 30 percent of the sales benefit, at the end of the month. The women prefer taking the sales benefit at the end of the month so that they could buy other stuff like tea, peanut, and butter. After paying off the incentives, the youth make a decent profit part of which goes into procuring raw materials for production.
While this initiative is less than a year old, we present it as a case of group income generation activity, involving two social groups, orphan youth whom we want to see integrated back into society and out of institutional living that is meant for minors, and poor women in the neighbourhood, looking for an income earning opportunity.
Lusilawo Georgine, who lives in Quartier Mbenseke, Kimbondo, is one of the women engaged in buying bread from the youth baking enterprise at Orphelinat Mama Koko, and selling them in her neighborhood. Lusilawo is a mother of 4 children and is presently divorced from her husband. Earlier, she was financially dependent on her husband to raise the children. Since July 2022, Lusilawo came in contact with the youth bakers and has been able to build an income by selling bread in her locality. Lusilawo earns up to 75,000 FC per week. As the bakery is within walkable distance and also, she does not have to stand in long queues to procure bread, Lusilawo is able to do the work effectively. Thereafter, she returns to running the errands of her household, having earned an income in the morning from the sale of fresh bread. With this income, she is able to take care of the children and herself.
Nabuni Merveille on the other hand, is one of the youths from Mama Koko orphanage who is engaged in the bakery production (a group income generation initiative). Nabuni studied science in his secondary school. Thereafter, he received training in bakery for 3 months, through RAF Global’s efforts. This year, along with 4 other youths, Nabuni started bread production for sale outside the orphanage campus. He states that the group has a corpus of USD 500 now, with the business running profitably. The bakers’ group aspires to set up their bakery unit, someday. Nabuni lives in a rented accommodation now, outside of the orphanage. With training in bakery, Nabuni has finally found a sustainable source of income. He is very good at his bakery work too, at par with a professor.
Case Story of a Cataract Surgery Beneficiary
Ngoy is a middle-aged man who lives in Mpasa, in the commune of Nsele. For the past 9 years, he was experiencing acute impaired vision due to cataract in his eyes that made him completely dependent on his wife. Ngoy could not afford the cost of medical consultation as well as the operation. It was by chance that Ngoy attended one of the community outreach events of RAF Global in D.R.Congo and came in contact with the team that arranged for his physical examination as well as the operation at one of RAF Global’s partner hospitals, free of cost. Ngoy recovered from the surgery and his vision was restored. Everyone in his neighbourhood was pleasantly surprised. Thereafter, Ngoy also found employment at a local school and has an income to support himself and his wife. Ngoy thanks RAF Global in D.R.Congo for bringing about a positive change in his life.
CATARACT SURGERIES FOR THE POOREST ELDERLY PATIENTS
The sense of sight is important to our being for a fulfilling life. Loss of vision afflicts a large number of people across the world, especially in developing countries due to a range of factors, including delay/neglect of simple surgical interventions mainly due to poverty conditions. In D.R.Congo, cataract remains a key reason for blindness among the local population.
In the year 2022, through its strategic partnership with local hospitals such as CH Roi Baudoin (Masina), BDOM (Lemba), and CH Etonga (Nsele) and the significant benevolent financial contribution of its donors, RAF Global in D.R.Congo has been able to restore the vision of 1,444 cataract patients, mostly senior citizens, covering all communes in the Kinshasa province. A total of 1503 surgeries were coordinated. This has involved an intensive process of community outreach, awareness campaigns, facilitating screening process at the partnering hospitals, and providing, pre-surgery consultation as well as, post-operative follow-up and support to the patients. This is an ongoing programme for RAF Global in D.R.Congo running since the year 2017 which is scaling up through the network of partner institutions, with each passing year
Case Study of a Beneficiary of Community Water Tank Initiative
I am Mboma Joseph and live in Efobanc quartier, Nsele commune. In our entire area, Avenue Mikonga 1, there used to be one open borehole to meet the needs of an entire community of 3000 residents. There were other challenges too. During the rainy season, fetching water from this source was difficult. The water would get contaminated and used polythene, mud, and other contaminants would flow into the water. Still, we had to rely on this water source and often, fell sick. The newly constructed water tank is well covered, and now accessing clean water anytime, is possible. The water source is now well protected. Water is also available free of cost. If possible, a strong shed for the water table could be made, for protection against heavy rains. I thank RAF Global for constructing this water tank in our area.
A beneficiary from another location, Madelene Mwandi confirms that the drudgery of women has been reduced by this community asset. ‘Now we can easily fetch water for doing household chores’, she says.
RAF Global in Media
RAF Global in D.R.Congo demonstrates outstanding results pertaining to Cataract awareness & surgeries ( March 2023)
RAF Global in D.R.Congo inaugurates its first Early Childhood Education centre in Nsele commune, KInshasa province (July 2023)
Annual Reports
Donors and Partnerships
Our esteemed donors and partners are integral to our work and contribute towards creating a telling impact. The donation of many individuals and institutions help us in offering a bouquet of services to the local communities. We thank them as well as, partner institutions who share our mission and values to serve the most marginalised, vulnerable and poor in the project areas.
Key Partners
Commune
Partnering Institution
Kimbanseke
ACEDEFE: Association Chretienne pour le Development des Femmes et Enfants
St.Joseph de Turin
College St.Frederic
E.P Mukasa
E.P Misani
Lemba
Bureau Diocésain des Oeuvres Médicales (BDOM) hospital
Masina
Roi Baudouin
Mont Ngafula
Monastere Benediction de Mambre
Foyer Pere Monti
EP Mputu
Mama Koko Orphelinat
Nsele
Centre Nutritionnel Soeur Veronique Natival, Mpasa
Centre Social St. Matthieu
Centre Social St. Matthieu
C.H.Etonga
Mere Marie Augustine school (Mpasa)
E.P.Pasteur Mayele
Espoir Congo-SABEC (Kikimi)
APEC
Selembao
C.S La Palmier
E.P. LokoloMoko
E.P Mbengo
Key Donors
