Kinshasa, September 11, 2024 – At a time when unemployment and precariousness affect many young girls in Ngaliema, in the heart of Kinshasa, a bright initiative has emerged to offer them a glimmer of hope and perspective. Indeed, eighteen young idle women recently had the opportunity to follow an intensive training in the art of making pearl bags, from September 1 to 11.
The NGO “Matondo”, at the origin of this inspiring project, aims to train and support these young girls towards autonomy and social usefulness, thus contributing to the development of society and the country as a whole. Gloria Yatelo, coordinator of the NGO, emphasizes the importance for women to be able to take charge of themselves in a context where entrepreneurship and creativity are essential assets.
This training, beyond technical learning, also aims to combat unemployment, urban banditry, and prostitution among young women. By encouraging them to develop their entrepreneurial spirit, the NGO “Matondo” hopes to offer them solid and sustainable future prospects.
Eldine Kabongo, an experienced trainer in the art of making pearl bags, shared her journey with the participants. Simple beginnings in sales have given way to expertise that now allows her to create varied models, adapted to the tastes of her customers. By emphasizing the importance of social networks as a commercial lever, she encouraged these young women to appropriate this tool as part of their entrepreneurial activity.
This initiative, beyond technical learning, conveys strong values such as autonomy, creativity, and solidarity. By engaging in the fight against poverty and encouraging the education of young girls, it is fully in line with President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi’s vision for a more inclusive and prosperous Congo.
In conclusion, this pearl bag training represents much more than a simple artisanal apprenticeship. It embodies a breath of hope and change for these young women, inviting them to chart their own path towards a bright future filled with possibilities.