COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT
Ten pathways to empowerment
Our programs combine practical education, skills training and access to microfinance so people in Mbuji-Mayi can build income, independence and stronger communities.
Built with the community, for the community
Established in 2011, the AusCongo Community and Business Centre in Mbuji-Mayi is a hub where community members organise into industry groups, attend practical workshops and work toward sustainable enterprises. We use an Asset-Based Community Development approach that starts with local strengths.
🌱 Agriculture
Sustainable farming training, tools and ongoing support help families improve crop output, food security and income.
🐄 Livestock
Practical animal husbandry training covers feeding, disease prevention, vaccination and sustainable breeding.
❤️ Health
Community health education supports hygiene, maternal health, nutrition and disease prevention.
💼 Small Business
Participants learn bookkeeping, pricing, marketing and customer service, with pathways to microfinance.
🧵 Sewing & Knitting
Vocational training helps women build garment, tailoring and textile enterprises for sustainable household income.
♻️ Transforma
Participants learn to make and sell useful household goods, from production through to sales.
🎓 Youth
Leadership, life skills, education and vocational pathways help young people build stronger futures.
💊 Pharmacy & Lab Tech
Specialised training develops local capacity in pharmaceutical and basic laboratory services.
🎭 Cultural
Arts, music and heritage initiatives strengthen identity, social cohesion and opportunity in Australia and the DRC.
💎 Diamond Diggers
Safety, fair-trade principles, business skills and financial literacy support informal miners to improve income security.
How the programs work
1. Join
Community members identify the program that best matches their goals and strengths.
2. Train
Participants build technical, business and personal development skills through practical workshops.
3. Access capital
Eligible graduates can access microfinance to help launch sustainable income-generating work.
4. Grow
Peer support and mentoring help businesses grow and strengthen the wider community.
Help make the next program possible
Donations help fund training, tools, local staff and microfinance capital. You can also contribute time, skills or organisational partnership.