The Batwa are a people living in Ituri forest, which joins the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda. In the 1980s, the Batwa numbered approximately 10,000 but the current population is estimated to be 6,000.
This high death rate is due to:
• Hard living conditions, having no access to health services
• Malaria, diarrhea and other preventable diseases
• HIV / AIDS prevalence
Poverty and Struggle
The Batwa are a minority group. They are the poorest community in sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of food, income, and education compounds their vulnerability. Many live in the forest of the DRC (The Congo). The Batwa residing in the Congo come regularly to visit their relatives in Bundibugyo (Uganda). This community has requested support to empower themselves.
Problems and Constraints in the Batwa Community
- Lack of income-generating activities
- Vocational training is unavailable
- Lack of start-up capital
- High attrition rate for primary education
- Lack of scholastic materials
- Human rights abuses
- The Batwa are stigmatized as minorities
- Civil strife
- Rebel activity undermines stability
- HIV/AIDS prevalence
- Lack of health services (eg, Prevention of Mother to Child Treatment programs)
- Increased sexual activity due to a myth that a person having chronic backache gets healed after having unprotected sex with a Mutwa
What can be done?
The Batwa’s needs fall into the following categories:
Economic:
- Start-up capital and entrepreneurship development
- Vocational/agricultural training
- Setting up a cultural boma with museum, resource center, music and dance
Academic:
- Scholastic materials
- Child-participation program to improve school retention
Social:
- Third-party intervention to promote peace/halt human rights abuses
- Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) programs
Health:
- Clean water
- HIV prevention campaign and support to people affected and infected by HIV
- Basic health services (control of malaria / worms, promotion of nutritional education)
The European Union
In 2007, the EU established a resettlement program for the Batwa, who had been residing in the forest. The project was largely successful and provided the following:
• 15.7 acres of arable land
• Agricultural training and farm inputs
• 21 modest houses
• Peace building and conflict resolution program
The Batwa King, Queen and the Prince
Ituri forest the ancestral home of Batwa
The district provided tarpaulines to stop leaky roofs
The Batwa King and the Ambassador of the European Union
A Mutwa woman farming
A family in their new home constructed by the EU
Further Activities of the EU
The EU has outlined the following development plan for the Batwa community:
- Crop and livestock farming
- Handcraft enterprises
- Promoting education
- Setting up a cultural boma for tourists containing Historical and cultural sites, a museum a resource center and a drama group
RWIDE’s Involvement
We are committed to further collaboration with the Batwa to improve their livelihood. RWIDE is working to implement sustainable income-generating activities among the Batwa community RWIDE is also working to ensure Batwa youth receive quality education. “Support us by educating our children. Education will transform their lifestyle.’’ --Batwa King
The Batwa need your support. Please join us and our partners in advocating for the welfare of the Batwa. Our vision for this unique community is one of economic, political, and social security. Financial contributions are welcome. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
