Electricity
NZAYISHIMA Patrick - age 23 - Masisi, DRC
Patrick’s vision is to create a hydro power center in DRC.
"The reason why I’m interested in electricity is I started to study about my country and think about my community and found that we have many challenges.... I preferred to deal with the issue of electricity because if I deal with electricity the thing of insecurity it is done, the thing of kidnapping, it is done, the thing of women dying in hospitals because of lack of electricity is done.”
Patrick is from Masisi, a remote region of the Eastern DRC famous for the mining of coltan.
"I was born in a place that is very dark. When a woman gives birth to her baby they put a stick in the fire and then wave the stick above her to create light... You have no refrigerators to keep the meat. I found that I can work on those issues through electricity power.”
Patrick is currently working to explore various possible energy sources for Congo.
"For me, electricity is the most important thing which we can try to do to develop our country. If I work faithfully and with integrity I can give the power with loyalty to my country.”
Patrick hopes to pursue a BSc in Electrical Engineering at African Leadership University in Mauritius.
Emmanuel Kitoko - age 25 -Beni, DRC
Kitoko wants to dispel the violence caused by darkness in DRC.
"We live in darkness. There are kidnappings. There is violence. This put me to solve the problems which come because of a lack of electricity. I want to go to university to increase my skills in electricity to solve those problems which come through electricity.”
In addition to the problem of insecurity, Kitoko also recognizes that the current sources of fuel used throughout the DRC are destroying the environment, namely firewood and charcoal-burning stoves. For this reason, Kitoko is passionate about exploring alternative energy sources which can be viable for large-scale sustainable development in the DRC.
On his way to achieving this dream of bringing widespread electricity to DRC, Kitoko sees the opportunities availed by small-scale local enterprise.
"I can make a project of growing tomatoes and to guard some animals like hens, goats, and cows. Also, I can make a business of selling eggs.... I want to go back to Kisangani to make this project. I want to go back to help those people. They showed me the love. They are family. I want to return to solve those small, small problems, and then once I resolve those problems I can be focused on my vision. These projects are strategies which I can use to achieve my vision.”
Kitoko is seeking a $200 business loan to start a variety of small businesses in Kisangani to employ local youth.
He hopes to pursue a BSc Electrical Engineering at Ashesi University in Ghana.
Ramazani Saasita Djuma - age 22 - GOMA, DRC
Ramanzani believes that DRC can be transformed through increased access to electricity.
"My vision is to become an engineer in electricity to help develop DRC. Electricity is the basis of technology. Congo has rivers that could be used to generate electricity. I want to make power availability more dependable. Light will help keep away bad behaviors.”
Currently, Ramazani serves as Second to the Chief of Logistics for the Think Africa program.
He also serves as Chief of Operations for Hope New Generation, an organization in Goma which seeks to change the mind of youth, imposing on them the belief that ‘you are important in society’. The leaders talk with the youth and organize conferences to instill in them the values of work ethic and leadership.
Before enrolling in the Think Africa program, Ramanzani partnered with a friend to start a clothing business. Together they buy clothes in the city of Goma and sell them in small villages. Ramanzani hopes to expand the business in order to save money for university. Currently, clothing is only sold twice a week on market days. Ramazani hopes to open a small clothing store in Bunagana in order to sell every day.
Ramanzani is seeking at $200 business loan to open a small clothing store in Bunagana.
He hopes to pursue a BSc in Electrical Engineering at the Institute Technical Industrial of Goma (ITIG).