The Launch of the Fondation Communautaire du Katanga

It was a memorable day. On 4 March 2016 the Fondation Communautaire du Katanga (FCK) was publically launched at a ceremony in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The event was attended by around 100 people, representing local business, civil society and government.

The event was rich in both hope and colour as members of the foundation’s General Assembly, made up of representatives from different parts of the community, came together in their new roles for the first time to mark this important step in the life of the new organization. Beyond the pure joy and optimism of the event, there was also a strong sense amongst those present that FCK was embarking upon something that will have long-term significance for the community.

Madame Elise, Chair (R) and Monsieur Lambert, Vice-Chair (L) Statues were read, plans discussed and a board appointed: it includes Madame Elise Kalasa, Social and Community Head at Rwashi Mining (Metorex, which is a subsidiary of the Jinchian Group) as Chair; Monsieur Lambert Tshisueka, Executive Director of the HyperPsaro Group, as Vice-Chair; and, Monsieru Didier Kisanga, representing local civil society, who will take on the role of Secretary.

The launch was the culmination of an extensive collective effort. The very idea of creating a community foundation in Katanga originally stemmed from a basic frustration: Katanga is a rich region with a poor population. The mining boom has brought with it economic development and momentum to the region, but poverty continues to persist with, so-called social, public and private investments in the region having little visible impact on everyday life.

Since 2013, a core group has been working hard to lay the groundwork for the FCK, which it is hoped, will be a pioneering institution in Francophone Africa. The founders received guidance and support from the King Baudouin Foundation (Brussels) as well as the GFCF, and bring with them different backgrounds in terms of education, employment and social status. Indeed, these women and men have been drawn together from all parts of the community, including civil society, local government and business. The same group benefited from a peer learning experience with the Kenya Community Development Foundation in Nairobi, an organization whose success story has inspired community philanthropy efforts across Africa.

So far, the General Assembly has identified three priority areas for FCK, but these do not necessarily limit the mission of the foundation. These are:

• Support for vegetable growers.
• The clean-up of various districts.
• The development of a fund to provide jobs for young people.

Monsieur Pierre Kahenga was appointed as FCK Coordinator, and will oversee the day-to-day management of the institution in accordance with FCK’s Statutes as well as the guidance of the board.

The objective of FCK is to stimulate, guide and professionalize local philanthropic efforts, and to link national and international philanthropic efforts to the areas of interest for FCK’s local communities. FCK is a non-profit organization, is independent, apolitical and non-religious, and exists to serve the community from which it has grown. FCK intends to listen carefully, both to those who give, and to those who benefit from its actions.  

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