01 February 2007

USAID Helps Bring Lights Back to Democratic Republic of Congo

Partnership for a Better Life

Political unrest and war destroyed much of the infrastructure in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The lack of electricity in particular contributed to the continuing struggle of everyday life, paralyzing the area’s economic recovery.

Kasenyi was one of many towns lacking electricity. That changed, however, when power was finally restored as a result of the combined efforts of local residents, the local electric company and a program sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) called Synergie d'Education Communautaire et d'Appui (SE*CA). Thirty-two miles of electrical wire were installed and electrical connections prepared for use.

SE*CA procured the wiring and other materials and area communities contributed labor. It was a coordinated, multi-ethnic, voluntary effort that reflected positively on the communities and increased the level of security in the region.

The power lines have helped reactivate public services for 50,000 people, allowing vital commercial and social activities to resume. For instance, fisheries can now operate their fish freezers again.

Implemented by USAID through its U.S. partner, Chemonics, SE*CA promotes improved stability in areas affected by war by facilitating local, regional and national understanding of issues that are key to a country's political transition.

The program helps war-affected youth adjust to life after conflict by providing education and skills training in agriculture, health, conflict management, reconciliation, personal values, numeracy and literacy.

It also uses a media program that supports access to information about issues key to the transition, and a small-grants program that supports activities identified by the community that focus on its economic, political and social revitalization.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)