The last couples weeks have been incredibly difficult for the Congo Initiative community. We lost two beloved members – UCBC staff member, Maman Marie Kercan and CI-USA board member, Dr. W. Howard Brown.
On Wednesday, September 19, Maman Marie passed away unexpectedly in Beni. She was a core member of UCBC’s finance office for many years, but her contribution and presence was felt beyond her work. As one UCBC alum shared, she was “a mother to all of the community, ready to talk to anyone and to be a friend to all.”
On behalf of the UCBC’s leadership, Vice-Rector Honoré Bunduki Kwany wrote:
“She was a good counselor to all and in all times, a joyful person whose warm smile was often a strong encouragement to many at CI, in church and in family, a committed prayer warrior who often sacrificed herself for the cause of others and a responsible mother to her family and to many in the CI community in Beni. We will all miss her and her sparkling joy and deep compassion. May the Lord grant us strength and healing through the comfort of his Holy Spirit and the support of the members of his body!”
Maman Marie was passionate about empowering and training women through UCBC. Her very presence was inspiring to female students. In honor of her life and dedication, we created an opportunity where her passion can continue to live through your generosity and gifts to NEXT 500 women’s scholarships.
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