New fund is providing scholarships to university students in Eastern Congo at Université Évangélique en Afrique (UEA)

In 2017 Education Congo began to develop a relationship with Université Évangélique en Afrique (UEA) in Bukavu on the eastern border of Congo. Upon the recommendation of a German researcher teaching students at UEA, members of Education Congo's board visited UEA and found her recommendation well worth our visit and consideration of support.

Focus on front-wave issues relevant to Eastern Congo

During that visit, board members observed a progressive style of university leadership emphasizing transparency and accountability for students and faculty alike, while focusing students on the front wave of issues relevant to Eastern Congo. We saw a multi-disciplinary group of students researching ethics in governance and confronting government officials with their findings, medical students in a lab testing their own DNA for sickle cell anemia as a way of learning to curb that disease, theology students focused on peace studies and healing in a country torn by brutality, social science students learning how to moderate conflict and bring healing, and an agriculture program that not only raises pigs and squash, but addresses pollution.

We also visited the Panzi Hospital where medical interns from UEA learn not only how to perform gynecological repair for victims of military rapes, but the bedside manners and other support needed for long-term holistic healing.

Dr. Denis Mukwege is on the faculty of UEA's medical school.

UEA faculty member Dr. Denis Mukwege

Since that visit, in 2018, the founder of the Panzi Hospital, Dr. Denis Mukwege was awarded the Nobel Prize for his activism toward the abolishment of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and holding accountable those responsible for that violence. Within the context of an emphasis on human rights at the university, Dr. Mukwege has been a pioneer in gynecological repair surgery for victims of sexual violence and has brought worldwide attention to the call for accountability.

New memorial fund in honor of Dr. Mohamed Kanji provides scholarships at Université Évangélique en Afrique (UEA)

This fund has been established by contributors in memory of their classmate and friend Dr. Mohamed Kanji. Dr. Kanji spent part of his childhood in Bukavu, home of UEA, before relocating to Kinshasa where he attended The American School of Kinshasa (see TASOK named fund) and met lifelong friends. After high school, he continued his education at Tabor College and various universities in the US, where fellow scholars and friends came to know him as a passionate advocate of human rights.

Dr. Kanji, an affable conversationalist

Dr. Kanji's studies led him into rheumatology, bringing relief to many suffering from pain over the span of his career, while he and his wife Sorayyah raised two children—who also have become passionate advocates of human rights.

We trust that Dr. Kanji would approve our contributions to help students learning within a context such as UEA where human rights are championed. It is in that spirit that we offer this UEA-focused fund for your consideration.

Help to grow the UEA Kanji fund to provide more scholarships at UEA year after year

To help more young Congolese attend UEA, please contribute to the UEA Kanji fund. The larger the fund, the larger the payout—so please help to keep it growing!

Update as of 5/23/2025

The UEA Kanji fund has surpassed maturity of $25,000 and now totals $27,251!

Update as of 7/7/2025

The UEA Kanji fund has reached $52,440!

To donate to the UEA Kanji fund, click here

To donate by check note “UEA Kanji” 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.

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For information about starting your own named fund, please email us at info@educationcongo.org.

Update as of 5/23/2025