Holding Hope and Grief Together
June was a month of mixed emotions for those of us who love Congo and its people.
Throughout the month, we were reminded of the fragility of life as conflict and disease took the lives of many in eastern DRC. Ebola continues to spread throughout communities, with more people dying than recovering. Those fighting on the frontlines are exhausted. They face an illness with few answers, limited supplies and support, deep mistrust in many communities and sometimes even destruction in the places where they work. Fear and grief are no strangers to Congolese people, yet their familiarity does not lessen their weight.
At the same time, conflict has come closer to home. An ADF attack occurred just a kilometer from the UCBC campus this month. It was the first attack in more than three years in Beni and caused fear in a place that has felt safe for many.
However, we’ve also had reason to celebrate and find hope. Sport has the power to unite people, and the DRC is competing in the World Cup for the first time in more than 50 years. The team drew worldwide attention with their arrival outfits designed by a Congolese man, Alvin Junior Mak, who wanted to show a different side of Africa—one of elegance, boldness, strength and resilience. The team went on to debut with a draw against one of the best players in soccer history, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, demonstrating that they are worthy of the competition.
Much like that designer, we at Congo Initiative seek to see beyond the suffering, fear and grief that so often dominate the headlines about the DRC. We also see the joy, resilience and hope that more truly reflect the spirit of the Congolese people.
This is the tension we hold.
We can root for Congo with excitement as they take the field, and we can lament and respond to those facing suffering due to Ebola and conflict. We can wave the flag and also remember the sick, the grieving and the frontline workers. We can celebrate Congo’s moment on the world stage while continuing to stand with the Congolese people in their pain and cries for peace, security, and an end of exploitation.
Is that not what love looks like? Rejoicing when Congo rejoices, grieving when Congo grieves and staying committed to hope in every season.
Thank you for accompanying us on this journey. Every prayer, every dollar, and every moment you have invested in this work has made a difference, and we are deeply grateful for you.
2025 Annual Report
We are proud to share the 2025 Annual Report with you, our partners, as we celebrate the incredible work accomplished over the past year and acknowledge the work ahead. Congo Initiative would not be what it is without each and every donor, advocate, and prayer partner.
Inside, you’ll find signs of growth, not just in numbers and statistics, but in the quality and reach of the work happening in Congo. From educating students to providing psychosocial support for those in need to finding tangible solutions to land issues, we have aimed to use your support wisely.
UPDATES
Appeal Update and Our Gratitude
Over the past month and a half, we’ve appealed to the Congo Initiative community to donate $20,000 for 20 years. Thanks to many of you, we reached and exceeded our goal! This mini-campaign is part of our overall strategy to raise $1.25M this year for Congo Initiative. Increasing our fundraising goal means asking more of our community, but it allows us to reach more people and address the rising costs of working in the Beni region.
Thank you for your generous and ongoing support.
Supporting Our Neighbors
Recently, several UCBC staff members visited members of the Twa community, who were recently displaced and are living right next to campus. More than 200 people in 70 households make up the community that was attacked by ADF earlier this month. They are friends of UCBC and have been partners in service-learning efforts throughout the years. Join us in praying for their healing and safety.
Root for Congo!
The Leopards are headed to the knock-out rounds!
Watch: Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET
One way you can show your pride for Congo while offering practical support is by purchasing a World Cup t-shirt or watch party kit. Proceeds from these sales will support our friends at UCBC as they navigate the added pressure of the Ebola outbreak and aim to be a source of hope and healing for Eastern Congo.
Meet a Grad: Irene Masika Mumbesa
“UCBC has not only been a university of learning, but also a large family for me. It taught me to discover who I truly am and to harness my inner strength. I am open because it taught me to express myself. At UCBC, tuko pamoja, is not just a slogan, but a real shared life that we experience. UCBC is my family. UCBC has a dynamic staff and supports us in the transformation process.”
CONGO IN THE NEWS
- Video: On the frontlines of DRC’s Ebola crisis (CNN)
- A disease of deforestation: how Ebola is linked to the smartphone in your pocket (The Guardian)
- Fighting the spread of Ebola virus in one of the world’s ‘most volatile’ regions (ABC)
- Faith, fear and trust: Inside DR Congo’s fight against Ebola (UN News)
- Ebola outbreak response requires engaging with religious traditions and leaders (Stat News)
- Video: Ebola outbreak in DR of Congo could take year to end, Red Cross says (BBC News)
- Listen: The town where the latest Ebola outbreak likely began (NPR)
- Faith leaders go door to door in Congo preaching peace amid renewed war (Religion News)
Our Contact Information
Congo Initiative
congoinitiative.org
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