About The Pygmies
The Pygmies of Idjwi were the island’s first inhabitants and have for hundreds of years been hunter-gatherers. They state that their grandparents lived well off the land for at that time there were forests and they could gather wild fruits and hunt the animals that lived in the forest. Now, the forests are all gone. The population of the island has grown by 500% in the past 30 years and the land is now owned by others leaving them with no shelter and food. They have been forced to become squatters on the land where there have lived for hundreds of years. They are always at the mercy of landowners who may allow them to live on their land in return for labour, or who may chase them off at any time, often in the middle of the night. They are beaten, and killed. Recently there have been 8 Pygmies killed on the island. They have no voice, no one to be their advocate, no income, no food, no education and no health care. They are on the verge of extinction.
Project Progress
How We Got Started
PROLASA Development Department Launched this project in March 2016 with the sole purpose of improving the lives of the indigenous peoples of Idjwi specifically to make the transition from a hunter-gatherer society to one that grows its own food, raises its own animals and develops some commercial enterprise which will help them to generate the income required to get health care, education, food , clothing and adequate housing. With the project, the Pygmies will be empowered to lead healthy and sustainable lives and will be incentivized to be environment-conservationists based on their deep knowledge of the indigenous flora and fauna. This will in turn aid in the restoration and conservation of the island’s natural resources.
Where We Are Now
PROLASA Pygmy Project
Phase I
We have managed to officially organise the Association of the Indigenous Peoples of Idjwi a non-profit organisation for the Pygmy People. We received ministerial approval from all of the various ministries concerned and we have developed a constitution and bylaws which outline how this organisation functions.
PROLASA Pygmy Project
Phase II
We have collected the necessary funds to buy two of the three plots of land — one in the southern part of Idjwi and one in the central part. The Pygmies have already started to build better, more permanent homes without the fear of being chased away, beaten and marginalized. They have also started to grow bananas, cassava and sweet potatoes at the Muchulo site.
PROLASA Pygmy Project
Phase III
One of the plots has already begun to see the construction of an administration block, health centre, a temporary school for children and adults.Three of the students from the University of Idjwi’s Faculty of Engineering and Construction are working with the Pygmy People and helping them in home construction, agriculture and health care. Each family has been allocated a space to build a solid home and to plant fruit trees such as avocados, bananas, papayas, and grow a variety of vegetables for consumption. In addition a generous donation from the New Brunswick –Canada community in the form of goats was given to each family for rearing.
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Where We Are Headed
PROLASA Pygmy Project
Phase IV
Once the Community Centres are constructed, schools for the children will be opening in conjunction with the University Faculty of Education, health clinics will begin in conjunction with the Faculty of Public Health, Medicine and Nursing and these services will be provided to the Pygmy People.
PROLASA Pygmy Project
Phase V
Phase V will include the development of trades, commercial activities such as: brick making, fishing, agriculture, bee-keeping, animal husbandry etc. These will give the Pygmy People an opportunity to generate income and in that way to better integrate into the local population. These will be done in cooperation with the PROLASA Industrial Campus and the Faculty of Agronomy at the University.
March 2025 Update - How it's Going
Muchulo Pygmy Village Report – March 2025
In March, the administration of the Muchulo Pygmy Village has intensified its efforts to maintain a healthy and harmonious environment. Our ongoing activities include:
- Weekly Cleanliness Inspections: We prioritize cleanliness as an essential aspect of the community’s well-being. Our regular inspections help prevent the return of past hygiene practices, fostering a cleaner and more hygienic environment. Through this, we also aim to educate the community on the importance of maintaining a tidy and sanitary space for their health.
- Social Harmony: Ensuring a peaceful social atmosphere remains a key challenge. Weekly conflicts between residents and families require prompt intervention to maintain peace. We are grateful for the support of the elders, whose mediation and guidance have played a vital role in resolving conflicts. Their efforts help nurture an atmosphere of cooperation and calm, which is fundamental to the village’s stability.
- Community Meetings: We have conducted several meetings with the residents to address concerns arising from the current political, economic, and security challenges in the DRC. These gatherings have been valuable in fostering a sense of community as we discuss important topics such as agriculture, resource management, cleanliness, and self-sufficiency. These meetings have also provided a platform to offer practical solutions to the growing insecurity, encouraging residents to adopt exemplary behavior. Their actions, such as welcoming refugees from Kalehe and other regions, demonstrate their spirit of brotherhood, which has been deeply appreciated by all.
- Solar Panel Repairs: We have successfully repaired and replaced the solar panels damaged by lightning. The entire system, including the transducers, has been restored to full functionality.
Challenges Faced:
Despite our ongoing efforts, we have encountered several challenges in March:
- Food Shortages: Access to Goma and Bukavu, the two main cities for food supplies, has become increasingly difficult and expensive. As a result, the cost of food has risen significantly, causing considerable strain on the community.
- Housing Costs for Workers: We are facing challenges with the landlords of the workers living outside the village, as we are unable to pay the rent in full. The amount required for the next year’s rent is $240 USD.
- School Fees for Students: Our nine Pygmy students in secondary school have unfortunately been expelled due to unpaid school fees. The outstanding amount is $225 USD.
- Additional Financial Needs: There are several other financial requirements, including transportation costs, hospitality for visitors, and minor repairs within the village, such as a broken water spigot.
- Health Concerns: Despite our best efforts to create a healthy environment, we mourn the loss of two young children, both under the age of one. We believe this may be linked to the poor nutritional health of their mothers, which remains a serious concern.
We remain committed to fostering a thriving and supportive environment for the Muchulo Pygmy Village community. Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work to address these challenges and achieve our goals.
What's Next?
One of PROLASA’s goals is to build a canteen for the Pygmy Peoples.
A canteen on Idjwi Island would bring significant benefits to the Pygmy community by providing easy access to essential supplies, including food and hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste, and sanitary items. This would reduce the need for long and costly trips to nearby towns, ensuring that residents can maintain proper hygiene and improve their overall health. Additionally, the canteen would stimulate local economic activity by creating opportunities for small-scale trade, promoting self-sufficiency, and enhancing food security. With a reliable source of both goods and hygiene products, the community’s well-being and daily life would greatly improve, fostering greater stability and resilience on the island.
An outline of the costs involved can be found below:
COST ESTIMATE FOR THE CANTEEN
| Category | Item | Quantity / Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site Preparation | Plot preparation and levelling | – | 50.00 |
| Foundation & Structure | Foundation stones | 40 steres | 280.00 |
| Cement blocks | 3,000 units | 1,200.00 | |
| Cement | 55 sacs | 660.00 | |
| Sand | 35 m³ | 175.00 | |
| Gravel | 30 m³ | 150.00 | |
| Rebar | 31 pieces | 248.00 | |
| Rebar wire | – | 24.00 | |
| Wood & Roofing | Sticks | – | 130.00 |
| Roofing sheets | – | 275.00 | |
| Planks | 25 pieces | 125.00 | |
| Rafters | 80 units | 240.00 | |
| Fastening & Fixtures | Nails | 8 kg each of No. 12, No. 10, No. 8 | 72.00 |
| Roofing nails | 10 kg | 35.00 | |
| Hinges | 12 pieces | 36.00 | |
| Locks | 3 units | 45.00 | |
| Doors & Windows | Doors | 3 units | 150.00 |
| Windows | 3 units | 135.00 | |
| Glass panes | 3 pieces | 150.00 | |
| Other Materials | Food (for workers) | – | 60.00 |
| Additional Costs | Labour | 15% | 532.40 |
| Unexpected costs | 3% | 126.00 | |
| Transportation | – | 126.00 |
Total — $5,100.00
What We’re Working On:
1. Building a simple home for some of our dedicated staff
2. Setting up a small shop/canteen to serve the community
3. Putting the finishing touches on homes for Pygmy families
4. Adding more latrines to improve sanitation
5. Making classroom upgrades at the local elementary school
6. Purchasing nearby land to support future growth
7. Freshening up the admin building and Director’s home with a new coat of paint
8. Adding a kitchen and modern toilet to the Director’s home and guest area
David Safari Bisengimana - Head of Construction at The Muchulo Pygmy Project
Here is my personal story of my life with PROLASA. PROLASA found me after I had lost both my father and my mother. As an orphan my life was very miserable. I had not been able to study in school and was older than those who normally start in elementary school. I remember the date very well — the 15th of October 2002 when PROLASA saved my life like the ravens who fed the prophet Elijah during the drought. PROLASA taught me both intellectually and spiritually, they fed me, they cared for me when I was sick, they paid for my elementary school fees, my secondary school fees and for three years of university. They also provided professional training for another year. PROLASA then employed me as a professor at the PROLASA Institute where I studied.
I am now the head of construction at the Muchulo Pygmy Project. I am now married to Contente Linda Musheke and I have a three-year old daughter by the name of Consolatrice Zawadi Safari. That is my story.
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