ISSN 1710-6931 August 7, 2009 Issue 144
FEATURE ARTICLES

CELA Encourages Women's Groups in Fizi to Save

by Atuu Waonaje

As a young organization in the Fizi Territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Centre for Youth Development and Adult Education (CELA) has been forming and training Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) for credit and savings since February 2009.

CELA was based in the Lugufu Refugee Camp in Tanzania but moved to the Fizi Territory after the Lugufu Camp closed and the refugees were repatriated. With a volunteer staff of 24, their current projects include language programs, youth empowerment programs, adult education and vulnerable assistance programs.

CELA tries to enhance women's economic and social conditions in rural Fizi communities. Five Village Savings and Loans Associations have been created: Amka in Kasaka/Sebele, Umoga ni nguvu in Katanga, Matunda Bora in Mwamsombo, M'mwatelecha in Mwandiga, and Makene in Malala I.

These groups gather 150 women (30 in each group), elected within their community to save money. These savings are raised by the members themselves who have the access to borrow money with monthly interest. These organizations are independent and self-managed. Each organization sets its own by-law to rule its activities. CELA

PHOTO GALLERY

Virginia Hernandez and her students

Viginia Hernandez and her students displaying the posters they worked on for RESPECT's Annual Poster Pontest. She is holding the basket with art supplies they bought to send to Elite Friends Academy in Nairobi, Kenya. They had a bake sale to raise the money for the art supplies.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Website Helps Refugees Find Families

Refugees United is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit registered organization with the objective of helping refugees locate missing family through a unique search engine.

This dedicated refugee network is provided free of charge, it's easy to use, and most important, is anonymous to all but family. You can read more about them at: www.refunite.org.

Students Receive Gift of Art Supplies

Virgina Hernadez, who is an art teacher at Immaculate Conception High School, raised some money with her students to send some art supplies to Elite Friends Academy in Nairobi, Kenya.

Austin W. Ngabwe, a teacher in this school, collected them and distributed to the students. Along with a note of thanks, Austin also sent some photos of students and teachers with the art supplies. Art Supplies

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