June 14, 2024
News
In the Mayukwayukwa refugee settlement in Zambia, three young refugees who fled their home country started with a simple idea: bringing computers to their community. Just two years later, and thanks to the support from Caritas Czech Republic, they turned their idea into a thriving business by opening an ICT centre. Today, the centre offers variety of services, from printing to photography to designing. For the young guys, the centre is more than just a job.
The first ICT centre in the Mayukwayukwa settlement
When people who live in the Mayukwayukwa refugee settlement need printing, photos, or flyers designed, they turn to Fannel, Fis and Dieudonne. The three young men met in Mayukwayukwa, a refugee settlement in Zambia's Western province, which is home to more than 14,000 refugees and locals. In 2018, they envisioned an ICT centre - a community hub providing access to computers, the internet, and opportunities to learn new skills and get assistance with technology.
Fannel, Fis and Dieudonne are all originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but were forced to flee their home country due to conflict and violence. While Fannel found refuge alongside his sister, the other two men arrived to the Mayukwayukwa settlement alone, separated from their families in Congo. Adjusting to a new country, especially without family, presents numerous challenges. “We are trying, but it is difficult,” tells us Fis. Dieudonne adds: “Right after we came here, we had to be strong and face the challenges.” Against all difficulties, the three young men tried to find meaning in their lives in Zambia.
Two years after they met, they brought their vision about an ICT centre to life. The centre is well equipped, thanks to Caritas Czech Republic and UNHCR. With the support they received, the young men were able to buy a photocopier, a laminating machine and a camera, which they use for photographing weddings or other events in the settlement.
Today, people visit the centre with many different wishes, from making copies or printing out documents to learning computer skills in one of the courses run by the young men at the centre. The three young entrepreneurs are very enthusiastic about their job. “What I like the most about the job is to help people, and to improve my knowledge,” tells us Fis.
Creating a life with meaning against all difficulties
The friends are able to make a living from their work in the ICT centre, but they do it for more than just money. They love their job. “I love to teach people what I know. For me, it is like breathing,” says Fannel enthusiastically. Fannel is a graphic designer and studied computer science back in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Apart from teaching design, he also offers personalised services to customers from the settlement and designs menus for restaurant owners, flyers for schools or logos for small businesses in the settlement. “I want to contribute my time and skills to help the community we live in,” he tells us.
For the future, the young entrepreneurs have a specific plan. “We want to improve the centre and expand. We want to help the people here, so they are not limited by the rural area they live in,” tell us the three men about their upcoming plans.
Caritas Czech Republic supports refugees in Zambia
Caritas Czech Republic has been helping people in Zambia for over a decade. In addition to supporting refugees in building their businesses and living self-sufficient lives, we are helping them to study at university. Moreover, we are supporting farmers to adapt to climate change, as Zambia is one of the countries that are hard hit by the changing climate.
