With so many foreign aid organizations helping Africa, how does Connecting Congo plan to stand out and make a difference?

 
 

Developing a Self-Sustaining Internet Cafe

Connecting Congo plans on starting up Internet Cafes that will be self-sustaining. We believe that giving communities ownership and responsibility over their own opportunities is essential to the success of Connecting Congo. We do the following to ensure that our organization develops Internet Cafes that are self-sustaining:

  • Train volunteers and staff in the local communities to troubleshoot problems (technology, customer service, business logistics)
  • Organize Community Volunteers to take part in the process of building, maintaining, cleaning, organizing, etc.
  • Provide tools for success instead of making communities depends on continuous donations and funding.
  • Make change WITH the community instead of to the community

Start-up and Step-in Funds

Connecting Congo will be there to help with start-up costs to create the momentum for a successful internet cafe, including:

  • Satellite for Internet
  • First 6 months of electrical power
  • Building costs
  • Basic supplies: tables, chairs, etc.
  • Training supplies
  • Laptops
  • Computer Parts (cords, cameras, speakers, spare parts, printers, etc.)
Once the internet cafe is up and running with qualified staff and volunteers, it will be the responsibility of the community and the locals to earn enough money to fund the internet cafe on an ongoing business. Connecting Congo plans to be an ongoing support and resource for each of the cafes, and will be happy to step-in and help out to fund things that can't be completed at the local level (i.e. a specific computer part can only be found abroad). 

 

Connecting Congo also plans to provide sufficient and ongoing training to staff and volunteers.


  

Training

 We depend on volunteers to graciously donate their time to visit Congo and teach their trade skill to the local people in our project villages. Once individuals are FULLY trained, they should be able to troubleshoot problems on their own. This will instill a sense of ownership and pride over their internet cafe. 

 

If you are interested in traveling to Congo to volunteer your time and expertise, please check out our Volunteer Board or Contact Us!

Working with Government
We want to work side by side with the Congolese Government as well – giving them a sense of pride, responsibility, and accountability in the development of their country.
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