The initiative was born between the Terredelsud association and the region of Mbuji – Mayi through the direct interest of Monsignor Bernard-Emmanuel Kasanda, the auxiliary Bishop of Mbuji - Mayi in the democratic Republic of Congo (ex Zaire). In one of his visits to Italy, he wanted to meet the members of the association to ask for their direct intervention on the problems of his country.  

Geography and politics  

Democratic republic of Congo 

République Démocratique du Congo 

Surface: 2,345,476 Km²

Inhabitants: 53,625,000 (2001 estimate) 

Density: 23 inhabitants/Km²

Form of government: Democratic republic 

Capital: Kinshasa (4,240,000 inhabitants.) 

Other cities: Kananga 950,000 inhabitants; Lubumbashi 810,000 inhabitants; Mbuji-Mayi 500,000 inhabitants; Kisangani 450,000 inhabitants. 

nic groups: Luba 18%, Mongo 17%, Kongo 15%, Rwanda 13%, Wongo 12%, Asande 10%, others 15% 

Bordering countries: Congo to the West, Central African Republic and Sudan in the North, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania to the East, Zambia to the southeast, and Angola to the South.

Principal mountains: Ruwenzori 5119 m 

Principal rivers: Congo (or Zaire) 4374 Km (total, including the Zambian stretch), Ubangi-Uele 2300 Km, Kasai 1950 Km (total, including the Angolan stretch), Lomami 1500 Km 

Principal lakes: Lake Tanganica 15,000 Km² (part of Zaire, total 32,893 Km²), Lake Alberto 5400 Km² (total, including the Ugandan side), Lake Mweru 4920 Km² (total, including the Zambian side), Lake Edward 2200 Km² (total, including the Ugandan side), Lake Kivu 1550 Km² (part of Zaire, total 2650 Km²) 

Principal islands: - 

Climate: Equatorial - tropical 

Language: French (official), Kongo, Luba, Mongo and other ethnic dialects 

Religion: Christian 70%, Animist 20%, Moslem 10% 

Coin: Congolese Franc 

Title: To give back dignity to young people 

Actual situation 

The conditions of life for the local population have been heavily conditioned by decades of wars and guerrilla activities that have stained this country with blood. The degradation of the social system has thus set off a process of deterioration that has involved the whole population and in a particular way the weakest sector: the young and the elderly. 

In this way a deterioration in the social conditions of the country has been witnessed, and in a particular way, in agricultural activity that, in these conditions, has seen a further impoverishment of the social and environmental aspects. 

Furthermore, young people in particular are not attracted by the difficult work in the countryside (without equipment, infrastructure, water, techniques, etc.) while they find, especially in the risky profession of diamond extraction (or in illicit activities) a seductive trap from which they can hardly find social benefit.

Description of the Initiative:  

The direct initiative of the Terredelsud association tends to create an ideal link with the region of Mbuji - Mayi so that with the help of technicians serving as missionaries, there can begin a step by step intervention which can start a process of social and technical retraining of the agricultural sector.

Among all the deficiencies, the principal issue is above all that of the lack of technicians who can revive the only sector that in this moment can give back dignity to these people. 

Aim of the Project:  

The principal aim of the project is that to connect Italian universities (through researchers, technicians and students – who in this way can acquire University Formative Credits -) with a step by step intervention that will start with the first volunteers leaving for the region. 

The Terredelsud association will obviously guarantee the whole organization of the mission and the relationship with the competent university.