I’ve wanted to be a grown up for as long as I can remember.

I remember vividly the conversation my friends and I had during middle school.  We could hardly wait to be on our own and make grown up decisions; to finally be independent from the rules of our parents and teachers.  Never did we imagine that some kids would actually dream of just being kids.  But that’s what happens when the trauma of war brings early adulthood. 

Every day, young people in Congo are forced into adulthood at a very young age.  Many are forced to assume the position of their deceased or disabled parents, while managing to attend school—if they’re lucky enough—and caring for younger siblings simultaneously.  Despite these difficulties, many Congolese youth still view the glass as half full, still dreaming big dreams ... living with an optimistic view of the future. 

I’m consistently amazed by the ingenuity of Congolese kids!  If a Congolese boy cannot afford a soccer ball, he collects a number of plastic bags and rubber bands and figures out how to make a simulation of a soccer ball.  When a Congolese girl cannot afford a doll, she makes one.  I did!  For whatever reason, my mother could not afford to buy me the latest plastic doll, so we decided to sew one together.  With pieces of fabric from her old dress, cotton balls, a marker, and string for the hair, we created my favorite doll.  We would sew different outfits for the doll.  As far as I was concerned, it was better than any plastic doll she could have bought from the store. 

Franck Mweze, the coordinator of 3TAMIS in Bukavu (in South Kivu), shares my appreciation for the creative kids of Congo.  I had the honor of video chatting with him a few days ago.  (This is one of the perks of my internship with Falling Whistles ... reaching out to Congolese visionaries and chatting with them about their amazing work!)  From the moment he heard my family name, Franck knew exactly who I was and was eager to tell me about my uncle, who happens to be his neighbor and friend, reminding me of the giant on whose shoulders I stand.  After several minutes of poking fun at my “Swahili-American accent,” as he called it, Franck was eager to tell me about his work with 3TAMIS.

“Congolese kids have been through so much,” he said, “It’s time to give them a positive example.  They need role models.”

Franck explained that the youth of Bukavu place little hope in their government, but they are recognizing the power of their own voices.  With the help of 3TAMIS, they are learning about the power of journalism and media to bring change to their communities.  Franck hopes that, through his programs, Congolese youth will gain confidence and develop their own unique voices as they push for peace. 

Through 3TAMIS, Franck and a group of Kivu teens are working on an animated series about a Congolese child hero who overcomes various obstacles through persistence and courage.  Franck is nurturing the creativity of the young people he works with, giving them full creative license and allowing them to choose everything, from the topics covered in the series to the name of their animated hero.  The series will be produced in both French and Swahili, making the show accessible to a wide range of Congolese children.  And 3TAMIS will take this series on the road with them, showing it in mobile cinemas that attract thousands of viewers throughout eastern Congo’s rural areas. 

“The youth of Congo don’t have heroes who look like them,” Franck observed.  Instead, they learn in school about Western characters, historical figures, governments, and social movements.  “They can learn from each other’s experiences, as well.” 

Franck and his team of energetic young animators are dedicated to making this project a reality, but they lack critical resources.  They need the support of skilled editors, producers, and updated equipment.  “I can teach them how to take the footage,” he added, “but I don’t have the proper software to show them how to edit and cut.”

As we concluded our two-hour conversation, Franck and I agreed that the future of Congo lies in the hands of Congo’s youth.  He assured me that the young people in Kivu are vibrant, creative, and capable of exceeding expectations when given the right resources and opportunities. 

Stella
Falling Whistles Advocacy Intern
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