During the Summer of 2023, AJEAK launched a specific initiative aimed at providing free computer classes for 50 women in the city. Doing so, they wanted to address the high level of unemployment among girls and women in Uvira. To face this gender imbalance, courses were arranged for women and girls lacking any prior education in digitalization. AJEAK sought ways to acquire computer equipment for their curriculum and to expand their class offerings. This is where Close the Gap came to assistance together with Solvay Consulting Club. The latter funded the operational costs for the material, enabling them to be of aid to this impactful initiative through their financial support. By the interference of Solvay Consulting Club’s sponsorship, Close the Gap provided AJEAK with 25 computer assets to run the educational program.

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Addressing the gender gap in Uvira.

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The 25 computer devices were shipped to Burundi and imported to the Democratic Republic of Congo through the assistance of our service partner GLICE Burundi. After the transportation of the assets to Uvira, the material was stored in the computer room AJEAK had set up. The organization of AJEAK appointed two instructors to host and oversee the computer lessons. A total of 50 girls and women - with an average age between 20 and 40 years old - were welcomed to the program. The initiative was designed to last six months, running up until February 2024, while the end of the education program was symbolized by the issuing of training certificates. This project shows how the joint commitment of Solvay Consulting Club, GLICE Burundi, and Close the Gap could make their own contribution to assisting AJEAK’s course offerings. We were grateful to contribute to this education program focusing on women's learning more specifically.