FIZI ON THE MOVE

In February 2006, we managed to go for holiday but as we were preparing our emotional journey to Africa, God put a desire in us to go to Fizi. God clearly directed us to conduct a seminar that was attended by 68 local leaders and some Government representatives. The theme of the seminar was: "Why Fizi experienced and still experiences poverty despite the immense natural riches that God placed there". Here is a copy in French of the seminar report. Pictures are available here

Causes of poverty identified by local leaders of Fizi are:

1. Ignorence: Likey many other areas in the DRC, Fizi has known luck of information in all areas of life. People live day by day as it comes.
2. Culture: The local people in Fizi protect their culture. Discussing elements of the culture that may be barriers to development has been  tabou.
3. Weak leadership: Local Leaders felt that it was not sufficient being called "Leader" without leading. There is need for empowerment of the leadership.
4. Weak Governments: The DRC is where it is today because since Independance, Governements have beem weak or absent.
5. Youth leaving Fizi and going to cities for education never return back to help the local population.

After the seminar a young man modified a radio receiver into a radio transmitor covering 1Km radius. During a visit in Fizi a Canadian Charity was encouraged by the effort and donated a transmitor that covers 10Km radius. If we want to spread the information to fight ignorence in Fizi, there is need for expending the radio capability.

It was also mentionned that the youth leaving Fizi was an other major factor that was affecting any effort to eraducate ignorence. Two young men lecturers in Bukavu disucssed with their university about possibilities of having extension of their University in Fizi. This was agreed and in July 2006, ISP had its extension open in Fizi. For the first year, ISP in Fizi recruited 63 students. All are teachers and Head Teachers willing to improve the standard of education in Fizi by retraining themselves. Frenc, English, History and Biology are the Departments currently available.

The most challenging outcome of the seminar was an agricultural project that we could not dare not to start. The shortage of food and the increase number of local people returning from refugee camps of Tanzania motivated us to help. There are agricultural activities going on in the village of Mkyobwe which is at the entrance of Simbi from the main road to Fizi. With God’s help, a tractor will be soon available to help increase food production, thus reducing food price and contributing to health changes in Fizi.