Congo Initiative
Congo Initiative equips the rising generation through transformative education for a flourishing Congo.
The son of a teacher, Dieudonné Agaba (‘15) knew the importance of education from an early age. He also recognized the value of language …… Read More →
Our family sends our Christmas and New Year’s greetings to you as a friend, but more importantly, as a team member. Throughout our years of leadership, we have learned an important lesson – we can’t do it alone! We rely on the strength of a team…. Read More →
Just a month ago, we asked you to stand in prayer for our CI community as we opened another academic year at the Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC). God answered. We enrolled 155 new students [who joined 200 returning students] and celebrated as all of CI’s programs continued their crucial work of equipping transformational […]
Miché Kakule Lughembe studied Biblical Counseling and Psychology in the Theology Faculty at UCBC. He now serves as a pastor at a church…… Read More →
After graduating from secondary school and succeeding in the state exams, Anuarite Mathe Kahambu, set her sights on the next…… Read More →
In 2003, Congolese Christian leaders gathered as gunfire and mortar rounds echoed through the air on the outskirts of Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo. Together they lamented the historical and current violence and trauma suffered by Congolese communities. They asked how Christians–people of faith and committed to justice, hope, and peace–should respond to the suffering […]
Esther Lubemba (’19) shares her excitement on graduation day.
On August 3rd, over 50 students from Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) walked across the stage in Hope Chapel to receive their diplomas. Around 30 additional students will defend their theses and graduate by the end of September. As the community celebrated the incredible achievements of these future leaders, Congo Initiative (CI) and UCBC […]
On Wednesday, July 17th, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement declaring the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) “a public health emergency of international concern.” Over 1700 people have died since the outbreak first began just west of Beni nearly one year ago. After a case was confirmed in […]
One of the primary ways we share news and updates online is on our Facebook page. But, we understand not everyone uses Facebook and therefore we wanted to provide an easy way to stay updated. Therefore, we are pleased to share our News and Updates via Facebook Feed on this post. … Read More →
“The population is so traumatized that everything for them is viewed through the lens of distrust of authority, physical insecurity, and the inability of the world to protect them. These viruses manage to exploit social vulnerabilities and fault lines. That’s what we’re seeing in this Ebola outbreak starkly.” Peter Salama, head of the World Health […]
On August 1, 2018, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared a new outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the northeast part of the country. (Congo Initiative is based in Beni, North Kivu, just a few miles from the initial epicenter of the outbreak.) […]
For over a decade, Congo Initiative’s global community has witnessed the impact of UCBC on lives of students, staff, and alumni. Now close to 600 UCBC alumni work and serve across Congo and beyond, creating change in their communities and embodying Christian hope and transformation. In a context that remains challenging and complex, dedicated alumni […]
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 […]
The last couples weeks have been incredibly difficult for the Congo Initiative community. We lost two beloved members – CI-USA board member, Dr. W. Howard Brown, and UCBC staff member, Maman Marie Kercan. On Sunday, September 16, 2018, Dr. Brown passed away suddenly in South Carolina. Howard was a man of deep faith, joy, and love. […]
On August 1, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared a new outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the northeast part of the country. (Congo Initiative is based in Beni, North Kivu, just a few miles from the epicenter of the outbreak.) Since then, […]
Dear Graduates, I congratulate you, the 2017-18 UCBC graduating class, for four years of hard work and remarkable achievement. During your time at UCBC, you have heard me say, “Only the best is good for the Lord.” Together, we have sought to be and do our best. Today, your graduation is the culmination of God’s […]
The BBC recently released a new video that looks at what went wrong in the Democratic Republic of Congo and how this history, as well as the present, continue to inhibit what could be one of the world’s wealthiest countries from flourishing. For Congo Initiative, this is just another reminder why we believe our work […]
Each June, advocates around the world come together for World Environment Day, a celebration and movement that draws attention to the most pressing environmental issues of our time. It is no surprise that UCBC students and staff join the global community in this effort, hosting every year a week-long initiative that promotes “Creation Care.” At […]
Radio Télé Bilingue (RTB 102.5MGH) is the radio station associated with UCBC and serves to be the “Voice of Transformation” for the Beni territory. The goal of RTB is to amplify the vision of a transformed Congo and edify daily listeners through music, prayer, and messages…. Read More →
Holding a tightly packaged bag of banana powder, Baraka Merdi (’16) stands proudly in front of his Mavuno office…… Read More →
UCBC agribusiness student, Hekima Kalumni, played a key role in organizing the 2018 Women’s Voices conference centered on the theme…… Read More →
Meet one of the future leaders of Congo, David Kasereka Bakwanamaha. Unlike many UCBC students, David is not the first in his family to attend a … Read More →
As we know, people around the world are joining together in the continued fight for women’s rights, equal pay, security, and justice. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, UCBC’s Women’s Voices has entered that fight, encouraging students and the wider community to challenge the pervasiveness of sexual violence against women and the norm of undervaluing […]
What did four years at l’Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) mean for Juliette Kavugho Mali (’14)? The youngest of three girls…… Read More →
A flourishing Congo starts with its children. Académie Bilingue du Congo (ABC) is seeking an impact-oriented director with a passion for the growth of this young school. The General Director of ABC oversees early childhood and primary education, envisioning the development and realization of the school’s mission. The Director serves as the key instructional coordinator, […]
From celebrating over 500 alumni and the 10-year anniversary of our main institution–l’Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC)–to influencing land reform policy, to providing counseling for those deeply wounded by trauma and violence, our transformative community continues to be a beacon of hope amidst challenging times…. Read More →
“I’ve seen for myself what is happening. It’s exciting and I have real hope and confidence that CI and UCBC are making a difference.”… Read More →
Steve Kanayngambi (’12) is now known in Beni for his multimedia production for artists and local NGOs. As a UCBC alumnus, he is …… Read More →
How can we know women voices if that voice cannot be heard? That is why our vision is to visit those women, to speak to them, holding…… Read More →
“I’m supporting UCBC because I’ve seen it make a difference in the lives of young Congolese leaders. I truly believe these students will …”… Read More →
Exactly one month ago, I found myself on a charter plane flying west from Uganda, over some of Africa’s most beautiful and yet most conflicted countryside. A group of us from the U.S. were flying to Beni, in Congo’s troubled North Kivu province, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Congo Initiative’s Christian Bilingual University of […]
Amos Kambale Taluliva (’12) shares about his work with youth in Congo that was inspired by his education and experience at UCBC. … Read More →
Adelphine Angemito graduated in 2013. She now serves as a human resources coordinator for Congo Initiative in Beni.
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When Linda Kasali Musavuli first moved to Beni, she did not plan to study at UCBC. After attending secondary school in the big city …… Read More →
When the Academic Dean for Teaching, Innocent Bora, read the academic results at the 2016 UCBC graduation, the crowd erupted …… Read More →
“The anticipation that comes with knowing these new leaders are going out there to influence others around them in whatever field…”… Read More →
When you hear the term “startup” you may think of tech hubs like San Francisco, or perhaps the new investment opportunities in startups listed by Forbes and other business platforms. However, in eastern Congo, young entrepreneurs are not only competing to launch their own businesses, but also to create positive change and development in their communities. […]
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Watch UCBC alumna, Hulda Vagheni, reflect on 10 years of UCBC and shares why the university was so important for her and for Congo. … Read More →
Coffee is DR Congo’s number one agricultural export in terms of both revenue and volume.[1] Endowed with a favorable climate, rich soil, and abundant rainfall, DRC has the environmental conditions to produce some of the best coffees in the world. Despite its promise, DRC’s coffee sector has yet to fulfill its potential. But, that could […]
Every year on May 3, the world celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom on World Press Freedom Day. And, for the past 5 years, UCBC’s has organized a conference and annual festival of communication and information. But, for the first time UCBC recognized the excellence of about thirty local journalists, student press organizations and […]
On April 5th, during Congo Initiative’s International Justice Conference, Ugandan law professor Dr. Daniel Rhuweza was presenting justice challenges he faces in his country. Half-way through his presentation, he suddenly paused, stepped away from the podium, and dropped to his knees, head bowed. Overcome with emotion, he began to ask the audience of Congolese lawyers […]
Before joining the UCBC team as Agribusiness Coordinator, Subira Bonhomme new UCBC well. He recalls visiting UCBC a number of times and was drawn to the institution’s commitment to bilingual and holistic training that provided a global perspective on the environmental sciences, a field he planned to pursue passionately. Bonhomme grew up in the Lubero […]
As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we are thrilled to reveal our new look! One year ago we began a journey of seeking to better understand who we are and how to communicate with our diverse supporters in clear and compelling ways. The process involved conversations with employees and board members, our Congolese community, and our […]
On February 4, 2017, UN-Habitat/Global Land Tools Network (GLTN) in partnership with l’Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) and the North Kivu government, officially launched a project to support the land administration in the implementation of land reform programs in Beni and other areas of eastern Congo. The project aims to support land dispute resolution by […]
Wheaton College’s 2017 Symposium in Human Needs and Global Resources brings together diverse scholars and leaders to celebrate the transformative work that God is doing through young people around the world. We are pleased to share that Dr. David Kasali, Rector of the Christian Bilingual Christian University of Congo (UCBC) and Co-Founder of Congo Initiative, will deliver the […]
Gathering in UCBC’s new Hope Chapel Tent, 700 youth met to discuss, share, and reimagine their identities as young Congolese. A two-day conference put on by the Center for Church Renewal and Global Mission (CCRGM) focused on encouraging youth as the hope for Congolese social change now and in the future. Congolese youth are often […]
The new Bethesda Counseling Center recently held a two-day seminar for local church leaders. Focusing on the theme, “We are God’s instruments for healing and restoration,” the goals were to encourage and offer spiritual and psychological support to church leaders serving in communities facing trauma, and to open dialogue on creating safe spaces to listen to, […]
Please join Jack and hundreds of others participating in the hope and transformation bursting forth in eastern Congo. Every gift to the UCBC Fund is an investment in the future leaders of Congo! [ci-button link=”https://congoinitiative.salsalabs.org/ucbcfund”]GIVE TODAY![/ci-button]
On Wednesday, November 30th, UCBC organized and dedicated Hope Chapel, the newest edition to the campus. This outdoor tent will hold up to 800 people and serve the community as a gathering and chapel space until the completion of the University Chapel and Community Center. Apart from UCBC students and staff members, local organizations, churches, business […]
We are young women and men, students studying at the Bilingual Christian University of Congo (UCBC), located in Beni, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. In this year, 2016, we continue to live in a war zone, despite the peace agreements of 2002 that marked the official end of our country’s Great War, and […]
Congo Initiative is participating for the first time, in #GivingTuesday, on November 29, 2016. #GivingTuesday is a movement that celebrates generosity and kicks off the season of giving in the U.S. and elsewhere. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, at 12:00 a.m. and continuing until 11:59 p.m. EST, you can join the giving movement and make […]
When Linda Kasali Musavuli first moved to Beni, she did not plan to study at UCBC. After attending secondary school in the big city and capital, Kinshasa, she could not imagine leaving the larger universities of the city for a young university in the town of Beni. In fact, she wanted to study some day […]
