2. protection of the natural environment of the Katangese hinterland, regarding both fauna and flora,

both actions must be developed in symbiosis.

The sectors targeted by the Mikembo action are diverse and varied and constitute a real challenge;

- Education and training

- pre-primary and primary schools
- initiation to microcomputing
- promotion of the women (sewing and embroidery)
- supervision of farmers
- training in domains linked to the conservation of nature
- professional training (agronomy in priority)
- english course from grade 1

- Health

- support of community clinics (drugs)
- construction of community clinics
- standards of basic cleanliness

- Distribution of drinking water (installation of wells equipped with manual pumps or
supplied by solar energy)

- Protection of the fauna and flora

- reintegration of animal species in protected areas
- training in domains linked to the conservation of nature

- Agriculture and breeding

- assistance to the farmers (seeds, fertilizers, advice, …)
- diversification of the cultures
- promotion of breeding of farm animals and certain wild species
- irrigation
- fish farming

- Promotion of social and cultural activities

- Infrastructures and opening up

- roads maintenance
- rehabilitation of bridges
- communication
- information
- production of electricity
- water conveyance

- Promotion of sports

- Promotion of scientific activities

- university training courses
- ecological studies
- entomological studies
- ornithological studies

Our main realizations:

1. Region of Kyenge (170 km of Lubumbashi)

• Construction of a primary school in Kyenge: 7 classes, 2 offices, toilet blocks
• Fitting out of the school (benches, boards)
• Partial Financing of the running costs of this school
• Rehabilitation of 10 km of dirt road on the axis Minga-Kyenge
• Rehabilitation of 6 bridges on the section Minga-Lukafu
• Digging of 4 wells of drinking water equipped with manual pumps
• Financing of the construction of a community clinic in Kyenge
• Free Supply of basic medicines to this community clinic
• Installation of a radio in Kyenge (moved since then)
• Installation of two satellite dishes and one television, giving access to the local television channels and to some international channels like TV5 (destroyed since then)
• Financing of a work elaborated by Professor Kalaba of the Unilu and intended to present the tribe Bakunda, its origins as well as its habits and customs

2. Region of Kinsangwe (32 km of Lubumbashi)

• Construction of a primary school in Kinsangwe: 7 classes, 2 offices, toilet block (opposite the Mikembo Sanctuary)
• Equipment of this school (benches, boards)
• Total Financing of the running costs of this school
• Construction of a 40 m deep well equipped with a pump supplied by solar energy for the needs of the school
• Setting-up and running of a pre-primary school in Kinsangwe
• Setting-up and running of a computing classroom equipped with 10 computers, as well as of a sewing classroom equipped with 10 sewing machines with pedals, thereby enabling the pupils who finish their six primary years to perfect their training
• Annual supply of seeds and agricultural inputs to numerous farmers, enabling them to exploit in conditions of acceptable profitability about 70 ha of maize
• Construction of 19 wells equipped with manual water pumps in the surrounding villages
• Assistance to the Rotary Club of Liège for the setting-up of 28 wells equipped with manual water pumps on the first 70 km of the Kasenga road
• An "Agronomy" section at the school of Kinsangwe
• In a private capacity, one of the Founders of the Association Mikembo has created the ‘Mikembo Sanctuary’ of about 600 ha and where live in harmony (situation at the end of 2009):

2 giraffes (Ndjamuluba)
22 Elands (Nsefu)
19 Kudus (Katongotongo)
17 Bruchell Zebras (Ngolo)
13 Sable antelopes (Pelembe - Fumbo)
12 Hartebeest (Kondji)
21 Waterbuck (Kondolo)
6 Puku (Cebula)
Around 20 de Bushbuck (Pongo)
6 Warthogs (Lupenge)
around 60 Impalas
A few Common Duiker (Kashia)
A few Grysbok (Katimba)
Many wild birds and reptiles
Many insects
A collection of farm animals (cows, donkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, guinea fowls, turkeys,…)
A pair of black swans
A pair of white geese
Tilapias, catfishes, perches, sardines, "Kikomo komo"… and Koïs (those are imported)
A flora that is a sharp contrast to the surrounding"desert", fields, a vegetable garden, an orchard and some tolerated human beings, all respectful of the rules and laws of nature.

This experiment is a first and has already inspired emulators… let us dream… and constitutes a new pole of development for the activities of the Association.

This small paradise serves, and will carry on serving as practical ground for the future defenders of nature.

Already, the University of Lubumbashi has led studies on the ‘Miombo’ (type of bush of South Katanga) there. The objective is to train students in Agronomic Sciences and who are interested in botany in a methodology that helps to describe and study the floral composition of plant groupings.

Professor Lejoly of the ULB, in association with the University of Lubumbashi ( UNILU), is studying how to rationally exploit the Katangese forest.

Entomologists like the Canadian Professor Bruce Gill are studying endemic insects.

The rehabilitation of various species of wild animals already constitutes an inestimable source of information on the local fauna and its development!

Our new projects :

During the coming months, the Association has got a lot to do!

Besides the running of the existing activities,

1. It intends to participate in the setting-up and running

• of a community clinic in Kinsangwe
• of a primary school in Katumba, a village situated 35 km from Kinsangwe and forgotten by the World…
Ambitious projects which will need your help, not only financial, as we also need advice, opinion, experience of some and initiatives.

Thanks a lot. Aksanti mingi. Twatotela sana.