The Challenge Futura Foundation, headed by the Congolese inventor Tsengué-Tsengué, with other public and private partners, has just completed a pilot project to train the physically handicapped and the hearing impaired in myciculture, that is to say the culture Mushroom. The aim was to ensure their social integration and empowerment, in other words that they would then be able to develop their own mushroom cultivation.
With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loicia Martial
In this workshop of the scientific city of Brazzaville lost in the middle of the forest, Destin Ekoumo, 42, took place on a plastic chair. This former launderer, who relies on crutches, took part in the myciculture training called Handi-Myco 2022.
” Maybe it will come in handy one day later. We, the motor handicapped, are a little neglected but that is changing (little by little) with the training I have received here. If all goes well, I will create something myself that will allow me to earn a living “says Mr. Ekoumo.
In total, the pilot project welcomed around twenty people, hard of hearing and motor handicapped. They were introduced to the cultivation of a variety of mushrooms from the taint of white shavings, combined with wheat bran, corn flour and limestone.
” In any case, in myciculture, in terms of artisanal production, their results are indisputable. They [les handicapés] are able to work and, for some, much better than able-bodied people “, welcomes the inventor Tsengué-Tsengué, one of the initiators of the project.
” This group has significant scientific and technical potential. says Patrick Obel Okeli, Director General of the National Agency for the Valorization of Research and Innovation Results.
Each participant received a certificate at the end of the training.