"Twa weza shinda!" We can succeed again!

Photo credit — AGIR RDC

ACT for Congo partners with local Congolese groups who address the needs of the most vulnerable people in their communities. Much of their recent work focuses on the refugee crises caused by the volcanic eruption and by violence in the region. AGIR RDC uses an integrated approach to help people transition out of the camps and start over — and they call it “Twa weza shinda” which means “We will succeed again” in Swahili.

Trained psychosocial assistants listen to displaced people and assess their needs. AGIR creates safe places for trauma therapy and organizes support groups. They train people on how to manage money and operate a small business. Most of our partners’ initiatives are active in the camps.

Our partners work in an area that has had ongoing refugee crises for more than twenty five years. It is well understood by the local people and many who live in the area help to provide shelter and community for those who are displaced. Local people are trusted, and they speak the languages. They know what problems stand between being lost and starting over again. Many people in the area lived through that transition at least once themselves.