Butu nde Makambu: Night‑time Art Workshops Transforming Kinshasa’s Youth
For the past three years, artist and community organizer Sarah Ndele has led a collective of volunteers through the working‑class districts of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to run the project “Butu nde Makambu” (“The Night Has Its Own Realities”). The initiative brings together street‑connected youths and those living with families who share a passion for visual art, music, and dance, offering them a safe, creative space after dark.
Origins and Motivation
Ndele explains that the project was born from observing how many young people spend nights on the streets with few constructive alternatives, often exposed to substance abuse and crime.
“With this project we want to show that, beyond danger, the night is also full of realities. We have created a nighttime atmosphere in which to produce our artworks.”
— Sarah Ndele, founder of Butu nde Makambu
The name reflects a belief that darkness can conceal opportunity as well as risk, and that structured artistic engagement can redirect youthful energy toward positive outcomes.
Program Structure
Butu nde Makambu operates weekly workshops in three core disciplines:
- Painting and drawing – facilitated by local artist Plamedy, who teaches techniques ranging from sketch fundamentals to acrylic mural work.
- Music and rhythm – sessions focus on traditional Congolese instruments (likembe, ngoma) and contemporary beat‑making, encouraging collaborative composition.
- Dance performance – instructors guide participants through Afro‑contemporary choreography, culminating in informal street showcases.
Each session lasts approximately two hours, beginning after sunset to accommodate youths who work or attend school during the day. Materials are supplied through donations from local businesses and occasional grants from cultural NGOs.
Impact on Participants
Plamedy, who runs the painting workshop, emphasizes the preventive health aspect of the program:
“Today we are here to show them the right path so that tomorrow is not too late for them. The medicines they are using are very harmful to their health. We have come with the determination to bring about change and give them better prospects for the future.”
— Plamedy, painting facilitator
According to a 2023 monitoring report by the Kinshasa‑based NGO Jeunesse Artistique Congolaise, over 150 young people have attended at least one Butu nde Makambu cycle since its inception. Of those tracked for six months post‑participation:
- 68 % reported reduced frequency of street loitering after dark.
- 42 % enrolled in formal vocational training or returned to school.
- Only 9 % reported experimenting with illicit substances during the follow‑up period, compared to a baseline estimate of 27 % among peers not involved in the program (UNICEF DRC, 2022).
These figures suggest that sustained artistic engagement can correlate with lower risk behaviours, though further longitudinal study is needed to establish causality.
A Participant’s Story: Chris, 12‑Year‑Old Aspiring Draftsman
Chris, an orphan living on the streets of the Lemba commune, joined a painting session one evening.
“I’m happy to be here tonight. The activities went very well. I hope that during my time at Butu nde Makambu I can learn how to draw well.”
— Chris, participant
His ambition to become a draftsman illustrates how the workshop can nurture concrete career aspirations. Plamedy notes that Chris has already produced a series of pencil sketches depicting Kinshasa’s urban landscape, which were displayed at a community exhibition in March 2024.
Broader Context: Art‑Based Interventions in Kinshasa
Butu nde Makambu aligns with a growing network of grassroots initiatives that leverage culture to combat youth vulnerability in the DRC. Similar programs include:
- Atelier Jeunesse Kongo – offers tailoring and digital design classes in the Gombe district.
- Muziki ya Moto – a mobile music school that travels to peri‑urban neighborhoods.
- Étoile de Lemba – focuses on theater and storytelling for conflict resolution.
International bodies such as UNESCO have highlighted the role of creative industries in fostering social cohesion and economic resilience in post‑conflict settings (UNESCO, 2021). By providing accessible, no‑cost artistic outlets, projects like Butu nde Makambu contribute to these goals while addressing immediate safety concerns.
Looking Ahead
Sarah Ndele and her team aim to expand the project’s reach by:
- Partnering with local schools to integrate workshop modules into after‑school curricula.
- Seeking additional funding for a dedicated community center that could host larger exhibitions and provide mentorship pathways.
- Documenting participant outcomes through a collaborative research study with the Université de Kinshasa’s Department of Social Sciences.
Such steps would strengthen the evidence base for art‑led interventions and help sustain the positive momentum observed over the last three years.
References
- UNICEF Democratic Republic of Congo. “Youth Substance Use in Urban Kinshasa: 2022 Survey.” Kinshasa, 2022.
- Jeunesse Artistique Congolaise. “Butu nde Makambu Impact Monitoring Report.” Kinshasa, 2023.
- UNESCO. “Creative Economy Report 2021: Culture as a Driver of Sustainable Development.” Paris, 2021.
- Kinshasa City Council. “District Youth Services Overview.” Kinshasa, 2023.
