At the outset, participants agreed that the training should motivate them to share information with their community, train people on the church’s mission in society and increase the church’s impact on their community.

Seminar topics ranged from rape and sex abuse in the DRC, child soldier issues and working with them, HIV/AIDS, and home-based care and other restorative justice issues. Participants also learned about the structure of the United Methodist Church, the Social Principles, alcohol and drug prevention, and dealing with health and wholeness issues.

When participant Sylvestine Mande was asked about her motivation for attending the seminar, she said, “I knew that this would be an occasion to express my concern. Women are raped, women’s rights are not respected, women are considered ‘machines’ working for men. Injustice and corruption are considered ‘values’ in our society.”

Mande plans to organize a seminar and workshop to share all she has learned. “My community must be aware of modern-day concerns. My people perish because of lack of knowledge.”

Ilunga Kabale Kalwenya said, “What motivated me to attend the restorative justice seminar was to seek means of conveying the (restorative justice) message. Today, in Congo, speaking about sexuality is a taboo. I believe that thanks to this seminar North Katanga leaders will be able to share information about these issues and will be able to put into practice the church mission in the society.”

Kalwenya plans to work with the lay leadership in the Kamina District to develop pamphlets concerning the mission of the church in the community, responsibility of parents toward their children, alcohol and other drug abuse, and sex abuse. He added that this can help to spread information, “to reach so many people not only in Kamina district but also in other districts.”

Ilunga Nyembo, a youth worker, also felt that the content of the seminar is very important for youth groups. He said, “Children’s rights are not respected in our community. Parents do not know their rights toward their children. They do not school them, do not take care of them … the established government does not promote children rights. The church has to play the main role to restore justice and peace in our community.”

Nyembo plans organize a workshop in the Kayamba District churches. “Many thanks to GBCS for organizing such a seminar. I wish you to come back again.” From the enthusiastic response of participants, Congolese society is about to change.

--by Arthur MPOYO MBUYA

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