Congo Initiative

Congo Initiative equips the rising generation through transformative education for a flourishing Congo.

Blog

MARCH NEWSLETTER

Mar 31, 2025
WE REMAIN STEADFAST As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we honor the hope and resiliency of women around the world, and especially in DRC. Our staff members, students, and community beneficiaries continue to press on – working, learning, and living everyday in hope of a brighter, more flourishing Congo. Despite the current situation, we […]

MARCH NEWSLETTER

by Meredith Benson

WE REMAIN STEADFAST As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we honor the hope and resiliency of women around the world, and especially in DRC. Our staff members, students, and community beneficiaries continue to press on – working, learning, and living everyday in hope of a brighter, more flourishing Congo. Despite the current situation, we […]

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

Feb 28, 2025
A TIME LIKE THIS In the early 2000s, as nine nations fought over Congo’s vast resources in a war that would cost more than 4 million lives, a group of Congolese leaders gathered in Beni. Gunfire echoed in the distance, yet they prayed and asked hard questions: Where has the Church been amidst all this? Where is the leadership that […]

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

by Meredith Benson

A TIME LIKE THIS In the early 2000s, as nine nations fought over Congo’s vast resources in a war that would cost more than 4 million lives, a group of Congolese leaders gathered in Beni. Gunfire echoed in the distance, yet they prayed and asked hard questions: Where has the Church been amidst all this? Where is the leadership that […]

Update from Dr. Honoré Bunduki

Feb 21, 2025
Dear Friends of Congo Initiative, Greetings from the UCBC community in Beni. I felt compelled to share this update with you, knowing that you continue to carry us in prayer. Thank you for your steadfast support of the church in eastern DRC, particularly in the Beni region and within the UCBC community. As you know, […]

Update from Dr. Honoré Bunduki

by Meredith Benson

Dear Friends of Congo Initiative, Greetings from the UCBC community in Beni. I felt compelled to share this update with you, knowing that you continue to carry us in prayer. Thank you for your steadfast support of the church in eastern DRC, particularly in the Beni region and within the UCBC community. As you know, […]

Welcome Tia Ellis, CI-USA Administrative Manager

Jan 30, 2025
It has been an honor to join an inspiring movement that bridges continents, communities, and generations. As I embark on this journey, I want to share a bit about what brought me to Congo Initiative (CI):  They say experience is life’s greatest teacher, and my passion for mission-driven work is deeply rooted in just that. […]

Welcome Tia Ellis, CI-USA Administrative Manager

by Tia Ellis

It has been an honor to join an inspiring movement that bridges continents, communities, and generations. As I embark on this journey, I want to share a bit about what brought me to Congo Initiative (CI):  They say experience is life’s greatest teacher, and my passion for mission-driven work is deeply rooted in just that. […]

URGENT UPDATE: Conflict in Eastern DRC

Jan 28, 2025
Dear Friends of Congo Initiative, We are writing to you saddened and concerned about the recent news out of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Over the past few weeks, the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group aggressively advanced on the provincial capital of North Kivu. The number of casualties is unknown, but thirteen UN peacekeepers have been killed.  On Sunday, […]

URGENT UPDATE: Conflict in Eastern DRC

by Meredith Benson

Dear Friends of Congo Initiative, We are writing to you saddened and concerned about the recent news out of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Over the past few weeks, the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group aggressively advanced on the provincial capital of North Kivu. The number of casualties is unknown, but thirteen UN peacekeepers have been killed.  On Sunday, […]

WASH Project

Dec 12, 2024
According to UNICEF, only 52% of the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo has access to an improved water source and 29% to improved sanitation facilities. Despite a natural abundance of water resources, drinking water remains a rare commodity for the Congolese population, mainly due to the lack of infrastructure. Seeking to increase health […]

WASH Project

by Meredith Benson

According to UNICEF, only 52% of the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo has access to an improved water source and 29% to improved sanitation facilities. Despite a natural abundance of water resources, drinking water remains a rare commodity for the Congolese population, mainly due to the lack of infrastructure. Seeking to increase health […]

Honoring and Celebrating a Life of Service and Leadership

Nov 15, 2024
Announcing President EmeritusRev. Dr. David Musiande Kasali If there is a Scripture that captures the life of David Kasali it is this: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the […]

Honoring and Celebrating a Life of Service and Leadership

by Meredith Benson

Announcing President EmeritusRev. Dr. David Musiande Kasali If there is a Scripture that captures the life of David Kasali it is this: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the […]

JOIN OUR TEAM: ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Sep 6, 2024
Administrative Coordinator Position Summary: The Administrative Coordinator will provide critical support for an organization positioning itself for growth. This is a part-time position that reports to the Executive Director. The Administrative Coordinator plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our nonprofit organization. The ideal candidate will have outstanding organizational, administrative, and communications […]

JOIN OUR TEAM: ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

by Meredith Benson

Administrative Coordinator Position Summary: The Administrative Coordinator will provide critical support for an organization positioning itself for growth. This is a part-time position that reports to the Executive Director. The Administrative Coordinator plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our nonprofit organization. The ideal candidate will have outstanding organizational, administrative, and communications […]

Transforming Guns into Plowshares

May 6, 2024
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. […]

Transforming Guns into Plowshares

by Meredith Benson

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. […]

NYOTA Women’s Leadership Program

Mar 25, 2024
In collaboration with Impact Now: When Women Lead, an organization supporting women leaders in small and mid-sized organizations, UCBC launched the NYOTA Leadership Program, specifically designed to empower women in leadership positions in the Beni area.  The NYOTA Leadership Program sprung from the belief that when women flourish, their families, communities, places of work, and […]

NYOTA Women’s Leadership Program

by Meredith Benson

In collaboration with Impact Now: When Women Lead, an organization supporting women leaders in small and mid-sized organizations, UCBC launched the NYOTA Leadership Program, specifically designed to empower women in leadership positions in the Beni area.  The NYOTA Leadership Program sprung from the belief that when women flourish, their families, communities, places of work, and […]

Unity in Diversity

Feb 20, 2024
“Unity in diversity” was the theme of the recent UCBC cultural exhibition hosted by communications students. During the exhibition, students wore traditional attire and demonstrated dances from their respective tribes, a powerful tool used to express values and customs. Students also showed how their tribes communicate and mark milestones, including greetings, marriage ceremonies, and celebratory […]

Unity in Diversity

by Meredith Benson

“Unity in diversity” was the theme of the recent UCBC cultural exhibition hosted by communications students. During the exhibition, students wore traditional attire and demonstrated dances from their respective tribes, a powerful tool used to express values and customs. Students also showed how their tribes communicate and mark milestones, including greetings, marriage ceremonies, and celebratory […]

Women’s Voices Kicks Off New Year

Jan 30, 2024
The student-led group, Women’s Voices, has been a staple at UCBC for the past nine years. The group was created to champion women in leadership, promote gender equality, and celebrate personal achievements both on and off campus. Women’s Voices also collaborates with Bethesda Counseling Center to host positive masculinity workshops, encouraging dialogue with men to […]

Women’s Voices Kicks Off New Year

by Meredith Benson

The student-led group, Women’s Voices, has been a staple at UCBC for the past nine years. The group was created to champion women in leadership, promote gender equality, and celebrate personal achievements both on and off campus. Women’s Voices also collaborates with Bethesda Counseling Center to host positive masculinity workshops, encouraging dialogue with men to […]

Alumni Spotlight: Archip Lobo

Nov 28, 2023
Archip faced immeasurable trauma as a young man, witnessing atrocities committed by an armed group against his family members. Archip was greatly affected by these tragedies and they catalyzed his passion to seek the healing and renewal of his country. He pressed on with resilience and found hope by being equipped to “be the change” […]

Alumni Spotlight: Archip Lobo

by Meredith Benson

Archip faced immeasurable trauma as a young man, witnessing atrocities committed by an armed group against his family members. Archip was greatly affected by these tragedies and they catalyzed his passion to seek the healing and renewal of his country. He pressed on with resilience and found hope by being equipped to “be the change” […]

OCTOBER PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Nov 8, 2023
Emma Smith Cain first heard about Congo Initiative when she lived in Eastern Congo and worked for an NGO distributing food and household goods to internally displaced people. She was drawn to UCBC because, even with the unrest in the region, the staff and students were committed to staying. “I was impacted by how the staff […]

OCTOBER PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

by Meredith Benson

Emma Smith Cain first heard about Congo Initiative when she lived in Eastern Congo and worked for an NGO distributing food and household goods to internally displaced people. She was drawn to UCBC because, even with the unrest in the region, the staff and students were committed to staying. “I was impacted by how the staff […]

Celebration – The New Holistic Family Development Building

Aug 29, 2023
The construction on the new Holistic Family Development Center building was completed this month. A joyful dedication ceremony was held on the campus to commemorate the occasion. UCBC Rector, Honoré Bunduki, was at the celebration and took part in the tree planting – a UCBC tradition to mark something new.

Celebration – The New Holistic Family Development Building

by Meredith Benson

The construction on the new Holistic Family Development Center building was completed this month. A joyful dedication ceremony was held on the campus to commemorate the occasion. UCBC Rector, Honoré Bunduki, was at the celebration and took part in the tree planting – a UCBC tradition to mark something new.

August Partner Spotlight

Aug 16, 2023
Our August Partner Spotlight is Caroline Kolins. Caroline has served as a CI-USA board member since 2020. She works in higher education in the United States and feels a particular affinity for UCBC as she strongly believes in the transformative power of education. “[It is] my belief that education is the most reliable way out […]

August Partner Spotlight

by Meredith Benson

Our August Partner Spotlight is Caroline Kolins. Caroline has served as a CI-USA board member since 2020. She works in higher education in the United States and feels a particular affinity for UCBC as she strongly believes in the transformative power of education. “[It is] my belief that education is the most reliable way out […]

CI-UCBC and Tearfund team up for peaceful land governance

Aug 8, 2023
Since 2014, UCBC’s Natural Resource Governance (NRG, previously Sharing the Land) has been instrumental in reshaping the conversation around land reform and creating a more peaceful Congo. What began as a small project of the Integrated Research Institute, has grown to significantly influence the National Land Policy of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This policy […]

CI-UCBC and Tearfund team up for peaceful land governance

by Meredith Benson

Since 2014, UCBC’s Natural Resource Governance (NRG, previously Sharing the Land) has been instrumental in reshaping the conversation around land reform and creating a more peaceful Congo. What began as a small project of the Integrated Research Institute, has grown to significantly influence the National Land Policy of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This policy […]

UCBC receives grant for technology upgrade

Jul 31, 2023
Earlier this month, UCBC unveiled two updated computer labs on campus which house 55 new computers and provide faster, more reliable internet. Access to consistent and quality technology has remained difficult in Congo and these computer labs are a huge gain for the students, faculty, and staff. The computers are part of a major technology […]

UCBC receives grant for technology upgrade

by Meredith Benson

Earlier this month, UCBC unveiled two updated computer labs on campus which house 55 new computers and provide faster, more reliable internet. Access to consistent and quality technology has remained difficult in Congo and these computer labs are a huge gain for the students, faculty, and staff. The computers are part of a major technology […]

“THERE IS LIFE HERE”

Jun 29, 2023
Central to our mission and organizational culture is the importance of partnership. The significance of partners who support us through prayer, resources, and presence cannot be overstated. For many of our friends and partners, it has been understandably difficult to practice presence over the past five years. The Ebola outbreak, COVID pandemic, and periods of […]

“THERE IS LIFE HERE”

by Meredith Benson

Central to our mission and organizational culture is the importance of partnership. The significance of partners who support us through prayer, resources, and presence cannot be overstated. For many of our friends and partners, it has been understandably difficult to practice presence over the past five years. The Ebola outbreak, COVID pandemic, and periods of […]

Student Spotlight: Abigael Masika Muhongya

Jun 2, 2023
In my courses, I don’t pull any punches, and I have extremely high expectations of my students. I believe that, despite the challenges they face, the students here should be given every opportunity possible to learn. The challenges they must overcome are not small. When in college, I had 24/7 electricity and internet, a machine […]

Student Spotlight: Abigael Masika Muhongya

by Meredith Benson

In my courses, I don’t pull any punches, and I have extremely high expectations of my students. I believe that, despite the challenges they face, the students here should be given every opportunity possible to learn. The challenges they must overcome are not small. When in college, I had 24/7 electricity and internet, a machine […]

“[We] must side with the truth, not the oppressor.”

May 18, 2023
For the first time in six years, UCBC hosted the International Justice Conference with UCBC law students and members of the International Association of Christian Jurists (AIJC). The gathering, which took place in March, was the sixth iteration of the conference and the joy at being together once again was evident. CI-USA board member, Christen […]

“[We] must side with the truth, not the oppressor.”

by Justin Hubbard

For the first time in six years, UCBC hosted the International Justice Conference with UCBC law students and members of the International Association of Christian Jurists (AIJC). The gathering, which took place in March, was the sixth iteration of the conference and the joy at being together once again was evident. CI-USA board member, Christen […]

More than a diploma

Mar 21, 2023
An air of intense expectancy and excitement charged the normally quiet late afternoon stillness and heat at Beni’s airport. The students of Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC), together with faculty and leaders, had flocked to the airport awaiting a flight from Kinshasa with the university’s Rector, Dr. Honoré Bunduki Kwany. He stepped off the […]

More than a diploma

by Justin Hubbard

An air of intense expectancy and excitement charged the normally quiet late afternoon stillness and heat at Beni’s airport. The students of Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC), together with faculty and leaders, had flocked to the airport awaiting a flight from Kinshasa with the university’s Rector, Dr. Honoré Bunduki Kwany. He stepped off the […]

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Kahasa Mulihavya

Mar 17, 2023
In January 2023, Benediction Mulihavya Kahasa celebrated with her peers the launch of the academic year. Kahasa comes from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. She learned about UCBC through her brother who attends the university and spoke highly of the institution’s values and commitment to excellence. She wanted to study in an environment […]

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Kahasa Mulihavya

by Justin Hubbard

In January 2023, Benediction Mulihavya Kahasa celebrated with her peers the launch of the academic year. Kahasa comes from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. She learned about UCBC through her brother who attends the university and spoke highly of the institution’s values and commitment to excellence. She wanted to study in an environment […]

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: David Bujiriri

Mar 4, 2023
Undoubtedly, the best part of working at UCBC is rubbing shoulders with the creative young changemakers who study there. I want to introduce you to one of these excellent young adults, David Bujiriri, or as he is called by his friends, Buj (pronounced “oo” as in boot). Buj is a junior computer engineering major from […]

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: David Bujiriri

by Justin Hubbard

Undoubtedly, the best part of working at UCBC is rubbing shoulders with the creative young changemakers who study there. I want to introduce you to one of these excellent young adults, David Bujiriri, or as he is called by his friends, Buj (pronounced “oo” as in boot). Buj is a junior computer engineering major from […]

Recent Insecurity and Violence in Eastern Congo

Feb 2, 2023
On Wednesday January 25th, a bomb exploded in the Macampagne market in Beni injuring 17 people. Just a week earlier on January 15th, a bomb detonated during Sunday service at a Pentecostal church in Kasindi killing 15 people and injuring dozens of others. The village of Makugwe was also attacked. 23 people were killed and […]

Recent Insecurity and Violence in Eastern Congo

by Justin Hubbard

On Wednesday January 25th, a bomb exploded in the Macampagne market in Beni injuring 17 people. Just a week earlier on January 15th, a bomb detonated during Sunday service at a Pentecostal church in Kasindi killing 15 people and injuring dozens of others. The village of Makugwe was also attacked. 23 people were killed and […]

JOIN OUR TEAM: COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Jan 19, 2023
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: Congo Initiative is a global community of Congolese leaders and international partners united for the transformation of lives and a flourishing Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Congo Initiative USA invests in higher education, leadership development, and community transformation through our partner organization Congo Initiative – Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (CI-UCBC) located in […]

JOIN OUR TEAM: COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

by Justin Hubbard

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: Congo Initiative is a global community of Congolese leaders and international partners united for the transformation of lives and a flourishing Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Congo Initiative USA invests in higher education, leadership development, and community transformation through our partner organization Congo Initiative – Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (CI-UCBC) located in […]

Equip Educators, Transform Education

Dec 15, 2022
With a desire to focus on faculty development and bring together a cadre of permanent staff highly committed to the vision of UCBC, UCBC launched an Advanced Studies Program (ASP) in 2016. The goal of this program is to financially and institutionally support 25 UCBC faculty and staff members to earn Masters and PhDs by […]

Equip Educators, Transform Education

by Justin Hubbard

With a desire to focus on faculty development and bring together a cadre of permanent staff highly committed to the vision of UCBC, UCBC launched an Advanced Studies Program (ASP) in 2016. The goal of this program is to financially and institutionally support 25 UCBC faculty and staff members to earn Masters and PhDs by […]

Taking wobbly steps together

Dec 5, 2022
Have you ever seen a child take its first steps? Those wobbly, wide-eyed, arms-in-the-air steps that propel them from babyhood into the rest of their life? Imagine being a young parent in Beni, cautiously watching your first child take their first steps on the swept-clean dirt floor of your cement-brick home. The wonder, terror, excitement […]

Taking wobbly steps together

by Justin Hubbard

Have you ever seen a child take its first steps? Those wobbly, wide-eyed, arms-in-the-air steps that propel them from babyhood into the rest of their life? Imagine being a young parent in Beni, cautiously watching your first child take their first steps on the swept-clean dirt floor of your cement-brick home. The wonder, terror, excitement […]

2022 Advent Reflections

Nov 23, 2022
[pdf-embedder url=”https://congoinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Congo-Initiative-2022-Advent-Reflections-1.pdf” title=”Congo Initiative – 2022 Advent Reflections”]

2022 Advent Reflections

by Justin Hubbard

[pdf-embedder url=”https://congoinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Congo-Initiative-2022-Advent-Reflections-1.pdf” title=”Congo Initiative – 2022 Advent Reflections”]

Let Your Light Shine

Nov 15, 2022
Every person is given a lifetime opportunity to impact people and their community because we are all endowed by God with unfathomable potentials. At CI-UCBC, our commitment is to unleash every student and staff member’s potential to participate in creating thriving communities, a just society and a flourishing nation. As you go into the professional […]

Let Your Light Shine

by Justin Hubbard

Every person is given a lifetime opportunity to impact people and their community because we are all endowed by God with unfathomable potentials. At CI-UCBC, our commitment is to unleash every student and staff member’s potential to participate in creating thriving communities, a just society and a flourishing nation. As you go into the professional […]

SHAPING LAND REFORM FOR A MORE PEACEFUL CONGO

Jun 7, 2022
Challenges with land policy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo date back to the late 19th century, when King Leopold of Belgium declared all “vacant land” in DR Congo as his own (Congo Free State), creating two parallel systems of land management: one system administered by the Belgian colonial authorities and the other established […]

SHAPING LAND REFORM FOR A MORE PEACEFUL CONGO

by Justin Hubbard

Challenges with land policy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo date back to the late 19th century, when King Leopold of Belgium declared all “vacant land” in DR Congo as his own (Congo Free State), creating two parallel systems of land management: one system administered by the Belgian colonial authorities and the other established […]

When Women Rise

Jun 7, 2022
Congolese women and children bear the brunt of the crippling effects of hundreds of years of colonialism, war, and exploitation. Socio-cultural norms that favor patriarchy exacerbate poverty, domestic abuse, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Violence against women has sadly increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, limited awareness and adherence to women’s […]

When Women Rise

by Justin Hubbard

Congolese women and children bear the brunt of the crippling effects of hundreds of years of colonialism, war, and exploitation. Socio-cultural norms that favor patriarchy exacerbate poverty, domestic abuse, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Violence against women has sadly increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, limited awareness and adherence to women’s […]

Introducing Congo Initiative – USA’s New Executive Director

Jan 18, 2022
Dear Friends of Congo Initiative, On behalf of the board of directors of Congo Initiative – USA (CI-USA), we’re excited to share the result of our Executive Director search. After conducting an external search and interviewing a slate of three finalists, one of whom was our acting Executive Director, Justin Hubbard, we have confirmed Justin […]

Introducing Congo Initiative – USA’s New Executive Director

by Justin Hubbard

Dear Friends of Congo Initiative, On behalf of the board of directors of Congo Initiative – USA (CI-USA), we’re excited to share the result of our Executive Director search. After conducting an external search and interviewing a slate of three finalists, one of whom was our acting Executive Director, Justin Hubbard, we have confirmed Justin […]

2021 IMPACT VIDEO

Dec 28, 2021
[ci-button link=”https://congoinitiative.org/give”]MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT[/ci-button]

2021 IMPACT VIDEO

by Justin Hubbard

[ci-button link=”https://congoinitiative.org/give”]MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT[/ci-button]

“The Impossible is Not Feminine”

Aug 19, 2021
Originally from Uganda, Rhéa Lutala (‘20) was nervous when her family first arrived in Beni in 2016. The schools she attended used English as the primary language of instruction. But she was excited when she heard about Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) and decided to enroll in the communications department with a focus in […]

“The Impossible is Not Feminine”

by wpengine

Originally from Uganda, Rhéa Lutala (‘20) was nervous when her family first arrived in Beni in 2016. The schools she attended used English as the primary language of instruction. But she was excited when she heard about Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) and decided to enroll in the communications department with a focus in […]

RESPITE, HEALING, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED (IDP)

Aug 19, 2021
When Bethesda Counseling Center Director, Noé Kasali, was driving home one day, he saw three kids selling baskets on the side of the road. Noé stopped to purchase a basket for his home. As he spoke with the kids, he asked them where they were from. They responded, “We are displaced from the Oriental Province.” […]

RESPITE, HEALING, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED (IDP)

by Justin Hubbard

When Bethesda Counseling Center Director, Noé Kasali, was driving home one day, he saw three kids selling baskets on the side of the road. Noé stopped to purchase a basket for his home. As he spoke with the kids, he asked them where they were from. They responded, “We are displaced from the Oriental Province.” […]

Ginette–“I treat everyone like family”

Jul 21, 2021
Ginette recently graduated from UCBC’s Agribusiness program. She now works with MAVUNO, a nonprofit that is pioneering a model of grassroots agribusiness development in Congo. As a consultant, Ginetteworks with farmers and trains them in agribusiness practices. Ginette dreams of establishing her own business that will specialize in training Congolese farmers—a shining testament to the […]

Ginette–“I treat everyone like family”

by wpengine

Ginette recently graduated from UCBC’s Agribusiness program. She now works with MAVUNO, a nonprofit that is pioneering a model of grassroots agribusiness development in Congo. As a consultant, Ginetteworks with farmers and trains them in agribusiness practices. Ginette dreams of establishing her own business that will specialize in training Congolese farmers—a shining testament to the […]

Kavira Matofali: “I learned who I am.”

Jun 29, 2021
“I came to understand that when God decides to bless you, no one can block what He has decided.” These words from Kavira Matofali Mélanie serve as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and grace. Kavira is a student in the Electronic Engineering department of Applied Sciences at UCBC. As one of multiple children, Kavira knew […]

Kavira Matofali: “I learned who I am.”

by wpengine

“I came to understand that when God decides to bless you, no one can block what He has decided.” These words from Kavira Matofali Mélanie serve as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and grace. Kavira is a student in the Electronic Engineering department of Applied Sciences at UCBC. As one of multiple children, Kavira knew […]

Social Impacts of Ebola in Congo: Panel Discussion with Texas A&M University

Mar 25, 2021
We are excited to share an insightful panel discussion about the Ebola outbreak and the Bethesda Counseling Center. Bethesda’s director Noé Kasali and Bethesda beneficiaries participated in a symposium facilitated by Glasscock Center and Scowcraft Institute of International Affairs Texas A&M University. The Symposium, The Long-term Impacts of Pandemics: Ongoing Disruptions to Societies, Families, and […]

Social Impacts of Ebola in Congo: Panel Discussion with Texas A&M University

by Justin Hubbard

We are excited to share an insightful panel discussion about the Ebola outbreak and the Bethesda Counseling Center. Bethesda’s director Noé Kasali and Bethesda beneficiaries participated in a symposium facilitated by Glasscock Center and Scowcraft Institute of International Affairs Texas A&M University. The Symposium, The Long-term Impacts of Pandemics: Ongoing Disruptions to Societies, Families, and […]

SEMINAR RECORDINGS: A REFLECTION ON AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY AND THE GLOBAL CHURCH

Mar 1, 2021
In January and February, we held a four-part seminar series to reflect and learn together with a host of CI friends who shared their wealth of experience in strengthening the church in Africa and beyond. Through this four-part seminar, we hope participants were equipped to meaningfully connect with their communities, to the African Church, and […]

SEMINAR RECORDINGS: A REFLECTION ON AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY AND THE GLOBAL CHURCH

by Justin Hubbard

In January and February, we held a four-part seminar series to reflect and learn together with a host of CI friends who shared their wealth of experience in strengthening the church in Africa and beyond. Through this four-part seminar, we hope participants were equipped to meaningfully connect with their communities, to the African Church, and […]

What Gives Us Hope?

Dec 23, 2020
A graduation at the Christian Bilingual University of Congo (UCBC) is always an emotional moment for Kaswera and me. Each year, we are overcome with joy as we celebrate the dedication of our courageous students, the perseverance of our gifted staff, and the faithfulness of all who support them – parents, community partners, and friends […]

What Gives Us Hope?

by Justin Hubbard

A graduation at the Christian Bilingual University of Congo (UCBC) is always an emotional moment for Kaswera and me. Each year, we are overcome with joy as we celebrate the dedication of our courageous students, the perseverance of our gifted staff, and the faithfulness of all who support them – parents, community partners, and friends […]

Invest in the future of Congo

Dec 18, 2020
This year, Congo Initiative (CI) celebrated 15 years of God’s faithfulness and the hope and resiliency of our community in Congo. We also celebrated your compassion and generosity as we continue to work together for the transformation of lives and communities in a part of the world often forgotten.  2020 was a disruptive year for […]

Invest in the future of Congo

by Justin Hubbard

This year, Congo Initiative (CI) celebrated 15 years of God’s faithfulness and the hope and resiliency of our community in Congo. We also celebrated your compassion and generosity as we continue to work together for the transformation of lives and communities in a part of the world often forgotten.  2020 was a disruptive year for […]

Lesson 3: Stigmatization interferes with the joy of healing

Dec 7, 2020
Recently, I was taking a walk with my wife and our children when we heard men yelling from the top of a truck “corona, corona, corona!” My wife being an American, is perceived as a carrier of COVID-19. This one-time incident that I faced with my family is a daily occurrence in the lives of […]

Lesson 3: Stigmatization interferes with the joy of healing

by Justin Hubbard

Recently, I was taking a walk with my wife and our children when we heard men yelling from the top of a truck “corona, corona, corona!” My wife being an American, is perceived as a carrier of COVID-19. This one-time incident that I faced with my family is a daily occurrence in the lives of […]