Background
Since 1999, the Espoir college has provided professional agricultural training for young people coming from villages around Bougoudang (Bongor, Fianga, Gounou Gang and Guelengdeng). The first goal of the centre was to prevent the rural exodus and promote the development of the village. Gradually, this centre has became a professional agricultural college, recognised by the state.
The village of Bougoudang is 30 km away from Bongor, where the RSCJs live, and access to it is difficult, in particular during the rainy season because of flooding of unpaved roads. In 2009, RSCJ hired a college director for the administration of the courses.
Objective:
To improve educational levels in Bougoudang.
Activities:
Students receive practical training at the farm. Actions included:
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Purchase of 4 cows from the Moulkou market and purchase of draught animals for ploughing and transport operations;
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Introduction of new agricultural products for planting: carrots, cabbages, potatoes, beetroot
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Maintenance of the onion storage room with shelves and paving to limit humidity. This increased the capability for more sales.
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Maintenance of the sheepfold: sheep now have shelter during the rainy season.
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Construction of a fence planting of trees around the college ensuring security and reforestation.
Theoretical courses:
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Construction of a new library: increased capacity to gather books for use by students.
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Purchase of a new computer for administrative and teaching use.
Outcomes
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Students have learnt to handle breeding and veterinian care of cattle.
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School conditions have improved: dignity of education; students also came to understand that maintenance ensures longer use for the future.
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Study environment improved: library is a cool and calm room conducive to learning.
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Students are more interested and enthusiastic in their courses thanks to the use of IT resources now that they are able to watch agricultural documentaries. They have also become more enthusiastic thanks to the new developments of the sheep pen, storage room, new cattle.
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Soil fertility has improved where dung is used for manure.
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Better use of time: thanks to animals and computer some things are done more quickly and efficiently allowing extra time for doing other things. The new materials such as the sheep pen and the onion storage room, need less maintenance.
Complementary activities
- Culture of peace: the pervasiveness of violence in everyday life distorts many thinks. Talking about this violence with parents and how to pacify it is understanding the stakes of the Society education. As parents are invited to come to the Assembly to listen to their children progress, they also attend a session on culture of peace.
- Mothers in kitchen: the mothers of the students learn modern cooking. They also have the chance to learn some writting and reading skills.
Extra comments :
The name of the college means hope in French. Risks to be taken into consideration include animal mortality, climate being not too suitable for machines (computers), and soil that cracks and easily damages buildings.
People being served
People being served : Children and Young People
Age group : Young people 15-25
Number of participants : 51-100
Schedule
Project status : Ongoing
Collaborations
Images
Overview
Society presence : Democratic Republic of Congo/Chad
Focus of the project : People
JPIC Imperative : Transforming and Being Transformed
UN Sustainable Development Goals : 17 Partnerships for the Goals, 4 Quality Education, 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
