In 2001, the project became a reality with a rise in power in 2002: A de facto association, the CPV3T (3TAMIS Video Production Center) was created with 7 NGOs from Bukavu: Radio Maendeleo, Radio Maria, Bandari Center, Olame Center, BDOM, Groupe Jérémie, Diobass Platform.

These organisations with different objectives (information, promotion of women, health, research, peasant action, defence of human rights) have been supported for a long time by European partners.

In 2003, following the limits of such an organization (unavailability of staff provided by partners, unsuitable equipment, random remuneration, etc.), the association decided to constitute itself as a non-profit organization under Congolese law, with 4 organizations as founding members: BDOM, Olame Center, Jérémie Group, Diobass Platform and its initiator Thierry Carton, headed by Franck Mweze, 3TAMIS coordinator, Operational manager of the project.

In addition to its main mission, education in citizenship through images, it should be the professional but autonomous structure for promoting the activities of its members.

The non-profit organisation takes the name of 3TAMIS ASBL recalling the 3 sieves of true, useful and benevolent speech. See Tale of the 3 sieves

In 2004, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted funding to the newly created non-profit organisation in the context of the promotion of peace, which would give it the structural means to start its activities.

Extract from the Belgian Council of Ministers of 20 July 2004: The “Centre for Participatory Video Production” project is an interesting project. With few resources, it provides civil society, supported by Belgian expertise, with the necessary means to develop an endogenous capacity to produce quality videos, which can be promoted both within the country and in Belgium/Europe…

The project is multidimensional: it can support citizenship education programmes through images, will use video as a tool for mediation and media action, will make public very concrete images of what is being done and experienced in South Kivu, an area that receives very little media coverage, and will provide, through its participatory approach, the voice and the image to the population that is far too little listened to. »

The CAVK, Kalemie’s audio-visual centre and future 3TAMIS partner, receives its first PC with digital editing program and holds its first film festival!

In 2005, 3TAMIS moved into its new offices. He recruited staff and acquired the new equipment necessary for his activity of education through images: editing computer, editing program, digital camera, projection equipment, vehicle, etc.

The areas of activity are: documentary production, screening/animation, continuing education, interpersonal contacts. It creates a network of partners likely to support it in the long-term perspective necessary for its sustainability.

In addition to raising awareness about elections, voter registration, the referendum on the new constitution, 3TAMIS diversifies its activities: 3TAMIS cinema, 3TAMIS festival, 3TAMIS reportage, etc.

A joint 3TAMIS / CAVK training is carried out in Bukavu, upon the arrival of the equipment.

The center is organizing the first Bukavu Festival following the example of what was already done in Kalemie with the CAVK. See Festivals

The www.3tamis.org site is taking shape. The objective is to promote the work carried out by 3TAMIS and its partners, above all, to give a different image of the region, through its reports, photos, podcasts and online videos, its multiple links with references, the beginnings of what 3TAMIS could become, a multi-media information center.

3TAMIS obtains new funding, this time from the Belgian Ministry for Development Cooperation in the framework of citizenship education for democracy and conflict prevention.

This allows it to do an exceptional job of raising awareness of the presidential and legislative elections, and unique compared to what has been done in the DRC!

In 2006, 3TAMIS moved to Kalima to create a branch in Maniema and strengthen the network. The idea is to allow a unity of concept between 3 centres, to exchange products with a view to making the regions known among themselves, to support educational actions in a wider regional framework.

3TAMIS has convinced for its commitment and serious management: New funding for the Belgian cooperation is granted. This time over 3 years.

The Kalima branch was closed due to a lack of ownership of the initiative by local officials, following the difficulties of access and the chaotic supply of electricity not provided by these same local officials, who were more concerned with developing their mining traffic…

After a trial in Kindu, due to a lack of interest from local associations and operators, 3TAMIS left Maniema…

Thanks to Wallonia Brussels International, 3TAMIS is developing a partnership with No télé, a local television station in Hainaut Picardy Belgium with which cross-missions, knowledge exchanges and projects are built to create links between the provinces of South Kivu and Hainaut well engaged in development projects such as the Generalized Health Insurance program.

Unfortunately, the FestBuk 2010, which was supposed to be a beautiful and strong cultural event on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of the DRC, could not take place due to a lack of commitment from local politicians and following a problem of understanding on the part of the main donor on the merits of the activity while it was included in the program…

On the other hand, in Kalemie, the CAVK and its partners carry out the remarkable “FestiKal”. See Kalemie Festival

On the occasion of the World March of Women, 3TAMIS and No télé have joined forces by producing a series of reports and a community program where women express themselves on their condition.

3TAMIS continues its activities of education through images.

The FestBuk 2011 is organised, this time supported by the governorate, the Belgian cooperation and various sponsors. In a new setting, the sports circle of Bukavu, it will mark the spirits by its diversity, having invited Burundian and Rwandan artists to share the pleasures of the arts.

The CAVKalemie is in difficulty… He had to leave the Kalemie Procuracy where he had been since 1996; it is confronted with multiple problems including the maintenance of the tool following the deficiencies of SNEL which provides poor quality electricity when it supplies it…

The Belgian Development Cooperation project ends on 12 February 2012…

Following the presidential elections of November 2011, the DRC is experiencing a period of serious political, economic and social uncertainty, catastrophic for the entire population, which is already heavily affected by violence in all its forms.

3TAMIS is faced with its survival…
A new challenge for the team and its manager Franck Mweze, supported on a regular basis by its president Maria Masson, head of the BDOM…

3TAMIS is looking for new funding with other ambitious projects to boot.

Indeed, the community television project is on everyone’s mind. Will 3TAMIS find solid financial partners capable of audacity and risk-taking, aware that the country without images, risks being confronted with obscurantism and subjected to a new dictatorship?