Fostering Unity Between Border Communities

In the vibrant border community of South Kivu, Safari, known affectionately as Mama Safari, stands as a pillar of strength and leadership. As a member of the Umoja Ni Nguvu cooperative and the President of small-scale cross-border traders, she is also responsible for the mothers who sell at the border. With six children to care for, Mama Safari relies entirely on her border trade activities.

“I have no other activities than border trade,” she explains. Her daily earnings can vary greatly, sometimes bringing in a few dollars in profits, and on some days, nothing at all. “If the items that I sell sit around, they deteriorate and I lose everything,” she says, highlighting the precarious nature of her work.

Despite the challenges, Mama Safari finds joy in the support and training provided under this initiative. These trainings have empowered her and her fellow traders, equipping them with valuable skills to improve their work. One significant addition to their resources is a new vehicle, which has alleviated a major problem in transporting goods for the cooperatives. “Sometimes, we bought cassavas and sweet potatoes but lacked a vehicle to transport them. And when we found someone to carry them, he took advantage of our situation and increased the price,” Mama Safari recounts. The new vehicle will help solve this issue, making transportation more affordable and reliable.

IOM has also played a crucial role, by supporting the Resource Center to receive complaints from the traders and provide guidance. “The Resource Center (RC) is a branch that deals with complaints management mechanisms and guidance to decision-makers,” she explains.

The new OSBP is bringing excitement to Mama Safari’s community. “The construction of the border post will personally help me save time, because there will only one place that we will need to carry out formalities at the border,” she says. This new facility promises to reduce hassle and save time, making the trading process more efficient.

However, Mama Safari acknowledges that there is still work to be done. “We would like to be taught how it works, because we have never used it,” she says, referring to the new border post. She emphasizes the need for continued training and advocacy to address unresolved challenges, such as transforming their goods to be more competitive in the market.

Mama Safari also highlights the importance of their relationships with Rwandan counterparts. “What we receive from small-scale traders from Rwanda who sell to Congo is familiarity. We became brothers and friends,” she says. Despite differences, the traders focus on their commercial interests and support each other in times of need.

“If I find myself in a moment of happiness or misfortune, the small-scale traders of Rwanda join us in celebration or consolation.”

Mama Safari’s story is one of community. Her determination and leadership are a testament to the strength of women in border communities, fostering unity between border communities.

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This initiative was supported by the European Union-funded project ‘Secure Cross-border Social, Economic and Commercial Activities in the Great Lakes Region’ which aims to strengthen sub-regional economic integration and cohesion between border communities, while strengthening cross-border trade.