KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 30 AUGUST 2021- Kamoa Copper’s Community Relations Department, led by Leon Tshikuta, Senior Community Relations Superintendent, is committed to ensuring that its host communities have access to improved education, healthcare, and clean water. This commitment is reflected in the rollout of a new adult literacy programme in partnership with ALFACONGO.

ALFACONGO is a Congolese organisation affiliated to Alfalit International, an international Christian Organisation with experience in literacy programmes (non-formal education), early childhood development (ECD), health and disease prevention, food security and nutrition, community development, microfinance, and the production of educational materials. Alfalit is active in 24 countries across three continents, including Angola, Mozambique, Liberia, and Guinea Bissau.

A zone supervisor with experience in literacy programmes, has been appointed to monitor and evaluate the progress of the project. A coordinator will manage the project on a day-to-day basis and will be responsible for the implementation of the project.”

Senior Relations Superintendent, Leon Tshikuta was proud to announce that “after running the ALFACONGO programme in Kamoa’s host communities with external trainers for several years, the first ‘train the trainer’ process took place at Kamoa in the beginning of July, with a selected group of facilitators chosen from the community who underwent three days of training, followed by an exam to earn their official facilitator certificate.”

“The next phase of the project will target 300 adults, aged between 15 to 60 years, with the intention to address the specific problem of illiteracy, identified as a principal cause of poverty. Apart from these direct beneficiaries, the project will target a total population estimated between 1,000 and 5,000 in the villages which surround Kamoa’s facilities” Mr Tshikuta added.  

To accommodate a number of learners with ease of access to the programme, courses will be administered in more than 15 communities including Kamisange, Kamukulu, Kaponda, Mpala, Musokantanda, Walemba, Cite Maseka, Israel, Kalundu, Kavuma, Mulemena, Mususu, Mwilu and Samukoko. The Community Relations Department, community leaders and the facilitators will be actively engaged across communities to promote awareness of the literacy programme and related activities.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, reading clubs will be organised for the beneficiaries. ALFACONGO’s methodology enables each learner to teach others. Beneficiaries will learn how to create a small library in their homes to improve their reading skills. Information sharing with civil society partners and monitoring of project implementation by government officials in the project’s area of intervention will ensure ownership and contribute to sustainability.

By the end of the project, the beneficiaries will have been empowered to become leaders within their communities and will have gained the necessary skills to generate income. Knowing how to read, write, and perform the four basic mathematical operations, they will have the skills to manage their own businesses. Kamoa understands that knowledge unlocks new opportunities, and we are committed to creating sustainable legacies for future generations.