Training doctors where they are needed most
- mary sanichas
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
photo credit: Mary Sanichas
Education Congo scholarships
Over 95% of donations to Education Congo go directly into scholarships at two leading private Congolese universities. These donations are applied as tuition credit for students who cannot otherwise afford to stay enrolled. With tuition costing only $1,000 per year in Congo, this would be a dream come true in the United States. But in Congo, $1,000 is about twice the average annual income. This is a country where education is not a "given"—but where people truly believe it is the way forward for their children and for their nation.
Other Education Congo support
In addition to providing tuition scholarships, Education Congo works closely with our two partner universities to assist with special projects that will provide the highest impact dollar for dollar. One of these vital projects is funding transportation for Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) medical school interns to remote teaching hospitals—where Congo's doctor shortage is felt most acutely.
Transportation not a trivial matter
The words "transportation" and "remote" take on a whole new meaning in the Congo! It is a vast country (3.5 times larger than Texas) with deeply rutted dirt roads in the remote areas. And a rainy season that defies travel by motor vehicles! The situation is such that embedding medical interns in remote hospitals—where they are desperately needed—is a major undertaking.
Bouncy road an understatement…
Last June we drove from Kinshasa to Kisantu to visit one group of interns, then, after an overnight stay, on to Kimpese for another group of interns. I tell people that we didn't drive once we got off the main road, we "bounced" there.
We passed toppled trucks, broken-down vehicles, huge trucks full of colorful cargo from Angola. Passengers were riding in every conceivable place—from on top of truck loads even to astride the hitch!
Bouncing vehicles from the oncoming direction were preceded by a cloud of red dust. I'd been warned about the long, arduous drive, but for me it was the most amazing drive I have ever experienced. Also I could see why my Education Congo travel companions had been eager to make sure our trip took place before the onset of the rainy season.
Once delivered to a remote teaching hospital, interns stay there for a year because transportation is such a major undertaking. They draw straws to determine who gets assigned to which location.
Aside from giving interns real-world experience and involvement in communicable disease and other research, one major goal is to introduce these future doctors to parts of the country where they are needed most.
Retaining Congolese talent and capacity in Congo
The Congolese students whose parents can afford to send them to medical school abroad tend to stay abroad, where they can make more money. By offering scholarships to needy students, Education Congo is helping to retain talent in Congo—where it is needed—rather than exporting it abroad.
Education Congo currently funds transportation for UPC interns to Kisantu, Kimpese, Vanga and Tshikaji. Only a handful of interns are assigned to a local hospital in Kinshasa. By facilitating the transport of interns to remote areas, Education Congo is not only enhancing their value as doctors in Congo, but engaging them in regions where they may not otherwise seek employment.
While a few students we met came from remote areas and planned to go back upon graduating, most were from Kinshasa and had never been to these areas.
For all these reasons, the rural internship program at UPC is extremely valuable.
First UPC interns at St. Luc's Hospital in Kisantu
2024 was the first year that UPC had arranged to send about a dozen interns to St. Luc's Hospital in Kisantu, and, as such, they were under scrutiny. We toured the hospital, then met with them as a group.
They had elected amongst themselves a president and spokesperson. He explained at length how they had self-organized to help each other out, live together, coordinate work schedules and study. If there was a problem they got together to work it out. Their esprit de corp and pride as a community was really uplifting!
Later, when we visited the house rented for them by UPC, the interns proudly pointed out their schedule for cleaning the bathroom. They had also collectively hired a cook.
I kept thinking of the sociology class I took in college and how the Kisantu interns had created a perfect example of "community"—defined as "a social group with a common territorial base, with the same interests and a sense of belonging to the group." But unlike my carefree days in college, these students did not have the luxury of dabbling in classes like sociology. Their parents had to struggle just to pay their way through primary and secondary school. By the time university was an option, they were already laser focused on becoming doctors.
Internship rotations
We also interviewed the enthusiastic Kisantu interns as a group. We asked each to describe his or her favorite rotation, as this is a time when they are discovering which area of medicine impassions them the most.
One intern described feeling the beating of the patient's heart during surgery as a profound, transcending experience. What he said was very moving. Video above.
Before hearing this, I'd thought of surgery as a very messy way to make a living. Later, I asked Margaret (who is an MD) about it, and she confirmed that indeed yes, this is the magic of surgery.
Because of UPC's great concern for retaining Congolese talent within Congo and for recruiting doctors to work in remote areas, I asked one intern if she would consider staying in Kisantu to work. When she replied that definitely yes she would because the need was great and it was so calm and peaceful there, the others agreed enthusiastically. Video above.
There is quite a difference between life in Kisantu compared to highly congested and polluted Kinshasa, already crowded beyond comprehension with an estimated 15+ million people. As one of the fastest growing megacities in the world, it is projected to reach 58 million by 2075.
The interns we met demonstrated their sincere and compelling drive to contribute to the lives of their fellow citizens and to the future of their country.
If you would like to support scholarships for medical students at Université Protestante au Congo (UPC), consider donating to one of Education Congo's named funds designated for medical students:
Designated for medical school students at UPC
Shafe Family Fund
Nelson Fund
Stanley Fund
Designated for female medical school students at UPC
Jain-Goel Fund
Jack & Linda Spencer Fund
Beeman Fund
Liechty Fund
When qualifying students receive named-fund scholarships, it is for the duration of their studies. This makes a huge difference when you consider that a student could otherwise be obliged to drop out just short of becoming a doctor or lawyer or computer science professional!
To donate to a named fund, click the donate button above and choose "Named funds" to go to our secure donation site. Then use the scroll-down menu to select your preferred named fund.
To donate by check, write the name of the fund on the memo line of the check and mail to Education Congo, PO Box 29, Lamar, CO 81052 USA.
If you are taking distributions from your IRA, you might consider making a direct donation from your account to Education Congo. The distribution amount that is paid directly to Education Congo would not be taxable to you and could save you some income tax dollars. Please talk to your financial and/or tax advisors on how to best make this kind of donation. (If you go this route, be sure to notify us with details.) info@educationcongo.org
