Tupende invests in
Our work
We envision flourishing communities in the Heart of Africa—where poverty & food insecurity do not exist—and where people thrive and live in harmony with the land.
We believe peace is worth investing in.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has exceptional natural resources – cobalt and copper, hydropower potential, significant arable land, immense biodiversity, and the world’s second-largest rainforest.
However, most of the people in DRC have not benefited from this wealth.
A long history of conflict, political upheaval and instability, and authoritarian rule have led to a grave, ongoing humanitarian crisis (World Bank, 2024). Currently, there are over 120 militia groups in the area.
The island of Idjwi has remained peaceful despite all odds.
Nestled between Rwanda and mainland DRC, the population has grown sharply over the years partly due to the influx of both Congolese and Rwandan refugees. Refugees seeking safety find peace on the island where there are no militias. This is why Tupende is investing in the community on Idjwi.
Our first step was to listen to people’s needs.
We asked people in the region, “ What do you need the most?
Then we listened.
Over and over again we heard people say that “income” and “jobs” are needed most.
Both men and women expressed their need for income to be able to provide for themselves and their families, to pay for school fees and to pay for healthcare. Women and men expressed their desire to work in agriculture, herding, and fishing. Followed by sewing, Cooperatives (CO-OPs) and a marketplace to sell goods (Tupende Talks, 2024).
