The land of more than two hectares, located on a hillside in the village of Kangbayi, in the commune of Beu, is entirely enclosed by a stone wall erected by MONUSCO. Photo MONUSCO/Sy Koumbo
On Friday 18 February, when the MONUSCO delegation arrived at the Beni Children's Custodial Institution (EGE) at around 10am, the children in custody there were a little overexcited, because it was sports day. All of them, dressed in sportswear - blue shirts against green - the children were keen to demonstrate their talent in volleyball and basketball.
You would think you were on a normal playground. But we are in a "prison", a prison for children in conflict with the law that the state is trying to put back on the right track. One of them says he is lucky, "because here we play volleyball and basketball thanks to the field made available to us by MONUSCO".
These children, 21 boys in total, also have books - to continue their schooling - and board games such as cards or lido to occupy their day.
Better still, to improve their daily food intake, MONUSCO's Prison Administration Support Section has helped them set up a poultry project with around 100 chicks. Ten children were trained by a veterinary technician to monitor the project.
One of them is delighted: "We already know how to raise chicks. This is really advantageous. I myself want to leave this place and start my own project. When I came here, I didn't know anything, but now I have learned a trade. I would like to thank the initiators of the project, in particular MONUSCO and their supervisory agents who pass by every day to monitor the project's progress.
The director of the GSE is no less proud of his protégés, some of whom, once released, have been able to set up their own businesses. He says that of the 15 children trained last year in mechanics (motorbike and generator repair) by the National Institute for Professional Preparation, INPP, at least three have been able to go out and set up their own business. "All the work we did with MONUSCO has paid off," says Sefu Kambale.
Female detainees trained in egg-laying
Just behind the children's block is the women's prison. Here too, MONUSCO is trying to get the women out of their routine and idleness. Ten of them have been trained to raise laying hens. They are very proud to have learned a trade in prison.
One of them says that it is a godsend, because her family has promised to help her with a small amount of money once she is out, to capitalise on the project: "My parents were happy when they saw that I had learned a trade in prison. My parents were happy when they saw that I learned a trade in prison. They promised to help me once I am out to set up my business so that I don't fall back into the same trap that brought me to prison.”
Multitude of projects in Kangbayi
At Kangbayi Central Prison, MONUSCO has also initiated several projects which are monitored by the Support to the Prison Administration section. Already, the prison environment has been radically transformed compared to previous years. The land of more than two hectares, located on a hillside in the village of Kangbayi, in the commune of Beu, is entirely enclosed by a stone wall erected by MONUSCO.
This is a lasting solution to the recurrent problem of escapes that Kangbayi prison was often confronted with. Some of the residents we met said they were reassured because they felt safer since the wall was built around the prison.
Inside the cells, there has also been a radical change in terms of hygiene: at least 16 toilets have been built and 21 showers refurbished, allowing the prisoners to have a more hygienic and healthy environment, despite the promiscuity.
In order to solve the problem of food provision in the prison, a prison field has been created. These are fields of maize, cabbage, sweet potato and manioc, the crops of which improve the prisoners' meals. In addition to this, a fish farming project has been carried out with two ponds of 100 fry each, as well as a mill, which is now open to local residents to generate some resources.
A young 23-year-old prisoner, who was trained to manage the mill, believes that his future is now set. "I learned for a week how to use this machine. Since I've been here, I've been living very well because I don't lack pocket money. We also receive people from outside to serve them. Today, even if I leave the prison, I will find myself in life because I have learned something. For this, I thank MONUSCO," he said.
Satisfied with all this support, the director of Kangbayi prison, Tsongo Makelele, thanks MONUSCO and is already thinking of other projects that require its support. "We are designing a carpentry project for which we are requesting MONUSCO's support. We will be able to select certain prisoners who can be trained and, when they leave prison, they will be able to continue to practice this trade. This will help them to reintegrate into society.”