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Building More Than Walls : How PROMOST IV Shapes Young Lives in Fragile South Kivu

DR Congo
Initial vocational education and training
Elie Bigaba12.05.2025
“I learned to build walls, but also strong human relationships.” With these words, 20-year-old Shandrack Mwimbilwa captures the heart of the PROMOST IV project, an initiative changing the lives of young people in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Swisscontact, PROMOST IV goes beyond teaching young people how to master a trade - it equips them with life skills that help them navigate the complex social and economic realities of one of Africa’s most fragile regions.

Swisscontact has long been committed to strengthening skills and livelihoods, particularly in fragile contexts like the DRC, where conflict, poverty, and instability have left millions of youths without sustainable pathways to work. PROMOST IV (Promotion of Market-Oriented Skills Training in the Great Lakes Region) offers a bold response: pairing technical excellence with soft skills that empower young people to not just survive but thrive.
Training room view of Shndrack MWIMBILWA, a beneficiary of the tutored apprenticeship program in masonry.

Technical Skills plus Life Skills equals Resilience

In April 2025, Swisscontact’s life skills trainers gathered apprentices in Bukavu for intensive workshops. What they delivered went beyond bricks and mortar, sewing needles, or welding torches.

"“Before, I was only taught how to mix cement and lay bricks. No one told me how to speak confidently to the site manager or how to stay calm when a wall wasn’t straight. It was just raw technique,” says Shandrack, a masonry apprentice. “PROMOST IV helped me gain confidence, communicate clearly, and face challenges without losing my composure. I am no longer just a mason - I’m a collaborator, a problem-solver.”"
Training room view of Irene BAHAYA, a beneficiary of the tutored apprenticeship program in cutting and sewing.
"Tailoring apprentice Irene Bahaya, 23, echoes this: “Learning to sew is one thing. But knowing how to listen carefully to what a client wants and speak kindly to them, even if they’re not satisfied, changes everything. PROMOST IV gave me those keys.”"
View of Pascal CANISA, a beneficiary of the tutored apprenticeship program, in the welding & fitting room.
"And for 21-year-old welding apprentice Pascal Canisa, life skills transformed his relationship with his artisan-trainer: “Before, when I had a disagreement, I stayed silent and frustrated. Now, I can express my point of view calmly and find common solutions. That’s fundamental for teamwork.”"

Beyond the Workshop: Laying Foundations for the Future

PROMOST IV demonstrates that successful training goes beyond the acquisition of technical skills. By integrating personal development, sensitivity to social contexts and consideration of individual needs, this initiative helps to train skilled craftsmen and responsible citizens, ready to invest in their communities.

In South Kivu, where years of instability have undermined local economies, this holistic approach is critical. It ensures that when young people leave a Swisscontact-supported program, they are not only technically capable, but also confident, resilient, and equipped to navigate real-world challenges.

View of tutored apprentices in the training room
"As Shandrack puts it: “I learned to build walls, but also strong human relationships.”"

With the continued support of the Swiss Cooperation, PROMOST IV is helping a new generation in South Kivu break the cycle of vulnerability - transforming skills training into a powerful engine for peace, opportunity, and economic development.

2012 - 2023
Burundi, Rwanda, DR Congo
Initial vocational education and training
Promoting Market Oriented Skills Training and Employment Creation in the Great Lakes Region
The project supports the Governments of Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to improve access, quality and relevance of their respective Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems. This addresses the key development challenge of unemployment and underemployment brought about by the low quality of skills...
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