The Kiro Congo (KCD) is a Catholic youth organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo.[1] It is one of the more important youth movements in the country.[2] Kiro Congo is a member of the Catholic umbrella of youth organizations Fimcap.[3][4]
History
Kiro was founded on 11 November 1947.[1][3] The youth movement grew quickly in the 1950s. In 1957 already about 150 Kiro groups existed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.[4][5] In 1960 Kiro had already about 240 boys' and girls' groups with approximately 17,000 individual members.[4]
Organization
Kiro Congo is structured in the following sections (based on age-groups):[6][7]
Age group
Name of section
6 – 12 years
"(Pré-) Bakayouki"
12 – 14 years
"Youpi"
14 – 16 years
"Gens"
16 years and older
"Aspis"
Activities
Meetings in local groups
Games, songs, sports, dancing
Pastoral and spiritual activities on Saturday and Sunday
^ abcdRompaey, Lies Van (1995-01-01). "The Development of the Catholic Youth Organizations in the Belgian Congo (1908–1960)". Paedagogica Historica. 31 (sup1): 193–212. doi:10.1080/00309230.1995.11434845. ISSN0030-9230.
^Peeters, A., directeur national du mouvement Chiro (Federations des Patronages) en Belgique (1957); Rapport de Ia reunion intervicariale des detegues du mouvement Chiro, organisee a Kabwe du 29 au 31 decembre, a /'occasion du voyage de Monsieur /'abbe, Chiro Archives 11. 1.3.