Program Background
The Bon Pasteur Program was founded in 2013 in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, under the invitation of Bishop Nestor Katahwa, then Bishop of Kolwezi. The program is currently active in Kanina, Katapula, Musonoei, Kabamba, Mukoma, Kisote, and Tshala.
It was established as a response to the widespread human rights violations and deplorable living conditions affecting women and children in the artisanal mines. Since its inception, the program has rescued children from child labor in the mines and provided women with safer and sustainable income-generating alternatives.
Today, Bon Pasteur implements community interventions in education, health and sanitation, agriculture, advocacy for human rights, and environmental protection. These initiatives are organized under six thematic pillars:
CHAKUISHI – Agriculture and Livelihoods
The CHAKUISHI project is based on a 40-hectare farm that serves as a center for practical agricultural training. The farm hosts fish ponds, poultry units, goat rearing, and vegetable production. Women and community members are organized into 54 Association Groups, where they receive training in basic agriculture, agribusiness skills, and microfinance activities such as savings and loaning. Many participants have replicated these techniques on family or leased farms, creating alternative sources of livelihood.
USUMADA – Women’s Economic Empowerment
USUMADA (Swahili acronym for Usimamizi Wa Uchumi Wa Mama Na Dada) focuses on equipping women and girls with vocational and business skills. Training areas include dressmaking, hairdressing, and beauty therapy. The program also manages income-generating projects (IGPs) such as:
A community bakery,
Catering services,
Rental of a community hall, and
Subsidized water supply to local households.
AFYA BORA – Health Services
Launched in 2022, AFYA BORA provides primary healthcare services to children, mothers, guardians, and siblings of children enrolled in Bon Pasteur programs. Based in Kanina, it also operates mobile clinics that reach remote and underserved communities in Lualaba Province, where access to health services is often limited.
MAHUWA – Child Development and Protection
MAHUWA (Maendeleo Na Hukingo Ya Watoto, meaning Child Development and Protection) rescues children from artisanal mining communities and provides them with access to primary education. Beneficiaries are drawn from Kanina, Katapula, Musonoei, Kabamba, Mukoma, Kisote, and Tshala.
HABIMA – Human and Environmental Rights
HABIMA (Haki Ya Binadamu Na Mazingira, meaning Human and Environmental Rights) is integrated across all program areas. Its interventions include:
Civic education,
Community organizing and advocacy,
Environmental protection, and
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
The project empowers communities to understand their rights, engage with mining companies and government agencies, and advocate for compliance with the mining code. Community dialogues are also facilitated to mitigate conflict and promote peace.
USIMAMIZI BORA – Good Governance
USIMAMIZI BORA (Swahili for Good Governance) strengthens the institutional development and administration of Bon Pasteur, Kolwezi. This ensures improved coordination and delivery of quality services to all target communities
Key Achievements
- Effective rescue of children from the artisanal mines, offering them opportunity to learn and develop as children.
- Increased safety of children and adults in vulnerable situations through a comprehensive approach to safeguarding.
- Improved opportunities for dignified source of livelihood for women and men through agricultural training and practice.
- Strengthened community voice in articulating their needs and holding duty bearers to account.
- Improved relations, and positive coexistence among artisanal community.