Eunick Lofete Bosongola
Volunteer
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Boulevard du 30 Juin, Arret VodaCom, Gombe Division, Kinshasa.
The Collective of Youth Organizations for Solidarity in the Democratic Republic of Congo known as “COJESKI/DRC, is the grass-root national youth plat-form under the Civil Society, it is by nature a Human Rights Forum of various youth Non-Profit initiatives, and a Non-Governmental initiated in DRC. In 2021 was energized to help spearhead community driven development initiatives and enable needy community groups participate in integrated activities to achieve civic engagement, development, quality livelihood and be self-sustainable Development
The very first ideas to initiate this network started in 1993 and was trigged by the following events:
The Democratic Republic of Congo by then Zaire entered into the democratization process as the main model of governance, but also the country welcomed millions of refugees from neighboring countries mainly Rwanda and Burundi which also created various security challenges. The need for young people to participate play a civic role in the management of the country’s affairs became one among the aspiration of young people and in order to achieve this, the idea of creating this network emerged from a young student in Bukavu, South Kivu Province by the name of Fernandez Murhola.
As, he involved others and with the interest from various youth led initiatives, COJESKI was then became a legal entity in 2024 and focused on young people in South Kivu with the following activities: To empower the youth, to help them to get more organized, to advocate for their participation in decision making at all levels, to promote network among the young people and push for a youth agenda in DRC.
Unfortunately the current war we still have in DRC started in 1996 and forced many leaders of COJESKI to leave South Kivu Province towards Kinshasa, neighboring countries and seek asylum in many other countries. COJESKI from its creation was called “ Collectif des Organisations des Jeunes du Sud-Kivu » which means « Collective of Youth Organizations in South Kivu” COJESKI. In 2008 the Ageneral Asssembly held in Kinshasa adopted the resolution to make COJESKI a national youth network, and the following changes were introduced “Le Collectif des Organizations des Jeunes Solidaires du Congo-Kinshasa” which means “the Collective of Youth for Solidarity in Congo-Kinshasa (COJESKI-DRC), registered as a national NGO since 2003.
To expose the potential hidden skills of Congolese young people by using our own skills, experience and collective energy to design and deliver initiatives at all levels in the country.
Through intergenerational practice COJESKI/DRC aims to bring people together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities which promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contributes to building more cohesive communities.
Intergenerational activities build on the positive resources that the young, older and middle generations have to offer to each other and are effective ways to address issues important to our community.
COJESKI/DRC Intergenerational initiatives fall into three categories, supporting each other, working together to address community issues, and learning together.
COJESKI/DRC embraces the principles of Active Citizenship and this philosophy is integral to all our work. Young people are encouraged and supported to involve themselves within the community and engage in volunteering. All projects are youth led, gaining inspiration from the young people themselves and through service delivery young people learn and understand each other’s differences and to respect one another.
COJESKI/DRC encourages social action supporting young people to work together to effect change both in their lives and within the community, raising funds for issues they feel passionate about and organizing practical tasks.
“To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity” Sir Donald Adams.
“Is the application of creativity and imagination into a business context.” Sir Jeffry Immelt.
“The sense of reduction to the nearest possible level every problem that besets us “Sir Henry Deterring.
Behind every thing we do is a dedicated team of strong men and women.
