Heritier knows a UCBC education has the power to transform lives. As a 2020 theology graduate, he was impacted by a World View class that expanded his understanding of people’s experiences and perspectives. He began to understand that we each come with a  set of lenses shaped by our experiences, upbringing, cultural background, values, etc. He was inspired by what he learned and knew he could use it to change the lives of others – even those who see the world very differently. 

Heritier is from Nyakunde, a village north of Beni with a large armed group presence. Many of the young men from the area are conscripted to join at a young age. After graduating, he returned to his hometown and started a program focused on young members of militia groups, “encouraging youth to develop their community and churches in a holistic way.” 

Heritier gets to know members of the armed groups, meeting with top officials whenever possible. Once he has built a good rapport with the group, he works through training modules he created using the knowledge he learned at UCBC.  The modules aim to help the young men understand their experiences, what they are doing, and show them a more positive and nonviolent way to live. His modules educate members on the realities DRC faces, unity in diversity to show all people are “important and complementary regardless of the culture and ethnic background they belong to,” and uprooting the cause of tribal conflict.

“I confess that it was not easy to start that journey in Nyakunde’s village with youth totally engaged in violence. After a few sessions with them, a good number of them understood the key message of transformation and decided to leave the militia group and join the agriculture activities.”

Through his interactions with local militants, Heritier learned that most conflict stems from land disputes. The groups were fighting over the land but not doing anything productive with it. Heritier saw an opportunity to not only help change people’s mindsets, but teach them practical skills for a sustainable future. 

These groups have, “vast, fertile and uninhabited land,” so instead of continuing to fight and amass more land, Holistic Ministry teaches how to care for the land and grow crops. Heritier shares, “today in Nyakunde there is a small maize flour production plant which is sold in the surrounding large towns.”

Heritier’s path has been difficult and, at times, very dangerous. But Heritier is a changemaker.

“I’m very grateful for the training I received at UCBC and especially for the transformation I received from it because now I am able to start from nothing and courage to pursue a good cause.” 

Thanks to your support, a transformative education changed Heritier’s life and he is now using what he learned to transform his community. He is the embodiment of UCBC’s motto, “Being transformed to transform.”

Header Image: “Patchwork of fields – North Kivu” by MONUSCO is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.