The closing activity of the first cohort of the Chora Congo program took place on Saturday, April 18, before the students of Institut Zanner. On this occasion, the 22 beneficiaries (including 16 girls and 6 boys) from various training sessions presented three major projects to their classmates and teachers, realized through the training they received and mentorship coaching.
The three projects received a grant of $1,000, allowing students to bring their ideas to life. The satisfaction was evident among both students and school authorities, who warmly encouraged the initiative and praised the positive impact of the program.
Three Projects Bearing Hope
Indeed, after 6 months of participating in various training sessions, the students, divided into three sub-groups, delivered captivating pitches of their projects at the school assembly. These three projects are:
- Goma Bila Uchafu: a project to promote cleanliness in the city of Goma.
- Zero Ubaguzi: an initiative to fight against gender-based violence.
- Ujana Level Up: a youth mentoring project through entrepreneurship.
The presentation did not leave their fellow students at the Zanner school assembly indifferent—the pilot school for this program. Some students asked questions, others proposed ideas to enrich the projects. The Dean of Studies, Anaclet Malangulu Muloba, did not hide his pride: "I want to thank the initiators of this project. This is a beneficial action for our country." He encouraged other students to follow the example of this first cohort and join the second one.
Testimonials from Students and Teachers
Iragi Ngaboyeka, a 4th-year Literature student, stated: "I learned to work as a team, to step out of my comfort zone and to no longer be afraid. All the sessions have been beneficial for me."
For her part, Kahindo Tsongo Keren, 3rd-year Nutrition: "I am proud to have acquired skills in project design and writing. I want to be an example for others."
Among those satisfied with this program is teacher Didas Kwabo, who accompanied these students: "Some shy students have become active. Others, considered disruptive, are now role models. This program truly transforms youth," he reveals.
For her part, Esther Balibuno, nature activist and mentor for one of the projects, said she met passionate and inspired young people. "Together, we worked on plastic waste management. Beyond mentoring, we created a big sister to little brother bond."
The Beginning of a New Era
This ceremony not only marked the end of a cohort, but the beginning of a new generation of young Congolese ready to transform their society. Chora Congo aims to support 112 young people during this new cohort from different schools, to make them future leaders and entrepreneurs.
By Albert Isse