About Us

Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice (KCIA) was established in 2000 but formalised in 2002. We are a London-based charity organisation offering free legal advice and support to disadvantaged people in our community living in the UK. 

Mission

Our mission is to ensure that disadvantaged people from ethnic origin in the UK have access to high quality advice, information and support. We believe that people are disadvantaged if they face economic, language, or cultural barriers which prevent them from properly accessing mainstream services in the UK.

Background 

The Kongolese Centre for Information and Advice (KCIA) provides free information, advice and support to disadvantaged African French and Portuguese speakers communities living in London in particular and in the UK in general.

This includes supporting women and children who are victims, or at risk of domestic violence, working with prisoners to help reduce re-offending, and legal advice on issues such as employment, immigration, asylum and homelessness.

Kongolese people are often disadvantaged by not being able to access services or justice because of language and cultural barriers. To help people overcome these barriers, our staff can work with service users in English, French and Portuguese.

Our Objectives

At the Kongolese Centre for Information and Advice, our objectives are to:

  • Advance education and relieve financial hardship amongst those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status particularly by the provision of legal and other advice.
  • Improve social life of refugee groups
  • Promote social justice, equality of opportunities
  • Promote personal development of its members, welfare of individuals and refugee groups.
  • Preserve and protect the physical and mental health of those granted refugee status and their dependents.
  • Advance the education and training of those granted refugee status and their dependents in need thereof so as to advance them in life and assist them to adapt within a new community.
  • Advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum.
  • Provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of those persons who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances.

Our Trustees

  • Mr Kanwar Bhan, The Chair
  • Mr Christian Carlton, The Vice – Chair
  • Mrs Sarwor Mohosena Akther, General Secretary
  • Mrs Anamarie Especiosa, The Treasurer
  • Mrs Essiya Muzumu, Senior Advisor
  • Mrs Ngalula Makoyi, Senior Advisor
  • Ms Floresse Lembe, Senior Advisor