This year has been marked by deep grief and sobering reminders of the fragility of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In our region in eastern Congo, the ADF armed group has carried out a wave of violent attacks, taking innocent lives, displacing families, and shattering communities. According to estimates, over 400 people have been killed by the ADF since the beginning of the year. Children, ranging from ages 7 to 14 have also been abducted. We mourn with those who have lost loved ones, and we carry the pain of the people in our hearts and prayers while recognizing more needs to be done. 

Yet even in the face of such brutality, we are not without hope. We see courage in the farmers who return to tend their land, in the teachers who keep classrooms open for children eager to learn, and in the students who refuse to let violence define their future. We stand in solidarity with churches, community leaders, and local organizations who are offering shelter, food, and comfort to those forced from their homes. We celebrate the fact that UCBC welcomes and creates a home for students from different backgrounds. 

At Congo Initiative, we believe that education and leadership development are long-term antidotes to the cycles of violence and exploitation. The ADF’s attacks are meant to instill fear and hopelessness, but we will not surrender to despair. Our work—training ethical leaders, equipping young people, and fostering reconciliation—is more urgent than ever.

We invite our friends and partners around the world to join us in prayer, advocacy, and action. Let us raise our voices for justice, support survivors with compassion, and invest in a future where peace takes root deeper than violence can reach. The road ahead is hard, but together, we will walk it in faith, courage, and hope.