REPUBLIC OF CONGO-KINSHASA (Mikondo)
Training of widows in techniques of appropriate technology to make and sell soap

Location: Mikondo neighbourhood, District of Kimbanseke in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Local Association
AIC Mikondo - Person in charge of the project locally: Marie Mwangala

Project Objectives:
- Create an income generating activity with the participation of volunteers and beneficiaries (widows)
- Set up a regular and permanent soap making and selling capacity.
- Generate revenues to benefit widows and orphans of the Mikondo neighbourhood

Activities:
· Purchase of soap-making materials;
· Training of widows and volunteers in soap making and in micro enterprise management;
· Production and sale of soap;
· Evaluation of the activities in order to improve performance;
· Aid to orphans and widows with part of the benefits of the sales of soap.

Project history
AIC Congo is engaged in different fronts. Volunteers or « mamans » (mothers), as they are called, are active in many local markets. They receive training in order to transform products that they then sell at the markets (margarine, salted fish, soaps, fruit juices, etc. ). The revenues allow them to finance their projects in favour of the poor. The project in Mikondo was born from the will of the AIC volunteers to support widows and orphans from the catastrophe of the N’Djili airport which took place 22 April, 2000.

Beneficiaries: 27 widows and orphans

Number of volunteers : 17 volontaires du group AIC Mikondo

Local partners : UNAF (National Union of Women), DIRAF (Development Information Research Action Women and Family), OFAC (Organization of Women active for Development in Congo).

Total Budget for the project: 2184Euros
Local contribution: a depot made available to safely stock soap-making chemical material; volunteers’ work.