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When we first met the new head of UPC in June 2024 in Kinshasa, Rector N'Kwim told us he is a great appreciator of the power of women. He lives in a household of women with his wife, also a PhD in Theology, and their four daughters. Highly accomplished daughters! The eldest graduated from UPC in Economics and works in Finance. The second, also a graduate of UPC, is an MD working in Epidemiology. The third is studying architecture in Canada. The fourth is currently enrolled at UPC in Economics. Dr. N'Kwim and his wife emphasized to their daughters from an early age the importance of studying hard and growing up to contribute to society and their nation. Later last year, at Education Congo's annual meeting in Denver, we videotaped Dr. N'Kwim talking about women at Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) and how they are contributing to building a stronger Congo. 56% of the 9,658 students at Université Protestante au Congo were women in 2024   If you would like to support scholarships for women at UPC, consider donating to one of Education Congo's named funds  designated for women: Sue Cardwell Fund —designated for women students from Bolenge Province or Equateur Province who are preparing for careers in teaching Jain-Goel Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC Sanichas IT Fund —designated for women computer science students at UPC Sanichas Law Fund —designated for women law school students at UPC Jack & Linda Spencer Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC To donate to a named fund, click the donate button above,  choose "Named funds" to go to our secure donation site, then scroll to choose 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, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 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.)

During our visit to Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) in June 2024, we'd asked to interview some Education Congo scholarship recipients. We were hoping for in-depth conversations with just a handful of students because surely scheduling would be difficult. Students would be in class and have other obligations. We were busy in meetings with university officials, heads or assistant heads of departments, not to mention auditing/accounting sessions.  Madame Jolie, a highly respected role model as a woman in UPC's administration Our schedule was in the very capable hands of Madame Jolie. It turned out Madame Jolie was not just very capable, but also a miracle worker. She does not just manage the accounting for Education Congo's scholarships, she manages and masterfully inspires the scholarship recipients. But I am getting ahead of myself. Teamwork As for interviewing the students, we were a delegation of four, so I figured I would be the one to take video, someone else would record their names and log the time/date of the video and the other two would ask questions that we'd prepared in advance. I was hoping the students wouldn't feel uncomfortable talking to us and being videotaped—but the complete opposite turned out to be true! Be careful what you wish for The amazing Madame Jolie, who facilitated everything for us during our visit, somehow managed to line up over 40 Education Congo scholarship recipients to meet with us in one afternoon. As I said, we were psychologically prepared to meet only a small sampling of them. And, as it turned out, we were down to a "skeleton crew" of two because two of our comrades were back at the hostel sick. Margaret and I were seated in a small room when Madame Jolie arrived and told us the students were ready. We must have looked perplexed when she opened the door because minutes earlier, the landing and stairwell had been totally empty. Now, magically, the entire area was full of students. I poked my head out, gave a shocked smile to them, took three quick photos and shut the door. The sheer number of them was overwhelming, especially since our two most fluent French speakers were sick back at the hostel. Margaret and I had only about two hours to interview all these students who'd been pulled out of class to talk to us. More scholarship recipients waiting to be interviewed by us. Necessity is the mother of invention Margaret and Madame Jolie let about eight at a time into the small room with us, while the rest waited outside on the landing and down the staircase. They chatted with this group and listed their names while I videotaped each one individually at the other end of the narrow room. [See blog post "Try saying neurochirurgien in French"] Each student was so amazing, but after 30 of them and with all the ambient background noise, it was dizzying. Creative solution for the last group We were running out of time. Margaret and Madame Jolie decided to interview the last group of students together. I asked them to tell us how their generation was different from that of their parents. They were very eager to tell us! Below are some of their answers (translated from French) Medical student speaks eloquently about the Internet English translation: "I'd like to draw a comparison between our generation and the previous generation. I would say that our generation has many more opportunities. Why? Because the generation before us did not have the Internet. They didn't have the possibility of obtaining certain documents and manuals. Especially in medical school, they would have to travel to the library to get documents and anatomy books. Today we have access with our phones or computers. This is really an advantage our generation has. With these technological advances, we have tons of material available to us… but what's a little sad is that with all these advantages our generation can be somewhat oblivious and not take advantage of the resources we can find on the Internet—and instead get more involved in TikTok, WhatsApp and social media. So, I would call on our generation to be conscious and take advantage of what we have. But, also, I would ask our elders from the previous generation to take us young people more seriously and to have more confidence in us. Often when they see us, they'll say, "Oh it's a young person. We don't have confidence in them—all they do is make mistakes." I ask them to have more faith in us!" Economics student talks about the new generation of women in Congo English translation: "In our generation we see the emancipation of women. In the previous generation, our mothers were tied to domestic work at home. But now, here, even our parents and our fathers encourage us to advance in the world and work. I also want to be a role model and to encourage younger women. As you can see, Madame Jolie is a woman who works. Before women did not work. With the emancipation of women, there is improvement. I want to call on young people to take things seriously. To take the time for things that are important instead of using their time on social media and TikTok—while others who want to study do not have the financial means to do so. Also, I want to thank those who donate to Education Congo for your financial help." Video clip with English subtitles (52 seconds) 56% of the 9,658 students at Université Protestante au Congo were women in 2024 Listen to video clips from our 2024 interview with the head of UPC, Prof. Robert N'Kwim, talking about the impressive women students and women alumni from UPC If you would like to support scholarships for women at UPC, consider donating to one of Education Congo's named funds designated for women: Sue Cardwell Fund —designated for women students from Bolenge Province or Equateur Province who are preparing for careers in teaching Jain-Goel Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC Sanichas IT Fund —designated for women computer science students at UPC Sanichas Law Fund —designated for women law school students at UPC Jack & Linda Spencer Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC To donate to a named fund, click the donate button above,  choose "Named funds" to go to our secure donation site, then scroll to choose 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, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 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.)

The capital city Kinshasa is a marvel of self-organizing traffic, however "embouteillage" (bottleneck traffic jam) is the operative word. The good news is that every single vehicle on the road is crammed full to maximum possible capacity. There are many small yellow buses (public transportation is a good thing!), and most of the motorcycles are "moto-taxis" where up to 3 passengers squeeze onto the motorcycle behind the driver. If "lanes" were to exist and there were to be "carpool" lanes in Kinshasa, all vehicles would qualify! It's true that getting from one place to the next is a jolting, loud and polluted experience. Plus pedestrians and motorcycles are flowing in every possible direction and through every inch of space between cars, trucks and small buses. On the other hand, the reflexes and athleticism involved is amazing to witness, and, for the most part, this extraordinary dance is accomplished calmly—accompanied by constant signaling of beeps of all kinds, indicating "I am here behind you" or "cutting in front of you now" much like sonar, but at point-blank range. More intensity at intersections, where laying on of the horn does occur, as in this video. There's plenty to look at while in an embouteillage. Photo credit: Mary Sanichas Vendor selling petrol by the bottle walks into traffic. Pedestrians cross single file with focus! Moto-taxis form a solid line and advance together.

"The scholarship from Education Congo really helped me because my parents had financial difficulties… and I'd had to stop my studies. To be helped by people I didn't even know taught me a lot of things—and when I can, I too will try to help people like you have. I thank you not only for myself but for the other scholarship recipients." Education Congo scholarship recipient Rose Bolia Mbita expressed heartfelt thanks to some of our board members during their visit to Congo in June 2024. Rose is in her 2nd year at UPC's economic sciences department. Upon graduating she plans to work first in Kinshasa, but eventually plans to return home to Equateur Province to help people start small businesses there, where this help is badly needed. Her other goal is to create a foundation to support the education of young girls in Equateur. 56% of the 9,658 students at Université Protestante au Congo were women in 2024   If you would like to support scholarships for women at UPC, consider donating to one of Education Congo's named funds  designated for women: Sue Cardwell Fund —designated for women students from Bolenge Province or Equateur Province who are preparing for careers in teaching Jain-Goel Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC Sanichas IT Fund —designated for women computer science students at UPC Sanichas Law Fund —designated for women law school students at UPC Jack & Linda Spencer Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC To donate to a named fund, click the donate button above,  choose "Named funds" to go to our secure donation site, then scroll to choose 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, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 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.)

Scholarship recipient Merveille Bunangana Bokumo comes from war-torn Eastern Congo. "As soon as I finish medical school, I plan to return to my home in Ituri Province to treat war refugees who can't afford medical care." Merveille Bunangana Bokumo is a 3rd-year medical student at Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) with four more years to go. We met her during our June 2024 trip to Congo. She said she and her parents especially are grateful for the tuition scholarship from Education Congo. She hopes she will continue to be able to receive tuition assistance to complete her medical studies. 1:27 min. video of Merveille speaking in French, June 2024 at UPC in Kinshasa, Congo 56% of the 9,658 students at Université Protestante au Congo were women in 2024   If you would like to support scholarships for women at UPC, consider donating to one of Education Congo's named funds  designated for women: Sue Cardwell Fund —designated for women students from Bolenge Province or Equateur Province who are preparing for careers in teaching Jain-Goel Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC Sanichas IT Fund —designated for women computer science students at UPC Sanichas Law Fund —designated for women law school students at UPC Jack & Linda Spencer Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC To donate to a named fund, click the donate button above,  choose "Named funds" to go to our secure donation site, then scroll to choose 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, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 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.)

Michael Ebongya Bayenge During our trip to Congo in June 2024, we met the student body president of UPC's computer science department (Faculté des Sciences Informatiques, FASI), Michael Ebongya Bayenge . He is in his 4th year at FASI and has been the recipient of an Education Congo tuition scholarship all four years. He is working on a class project that uses algorithms to analyze medical imagery. He is also  in an internship program in his specialty area of cyber security and, like most FASI students, will be assured of employment in Kinshasa upon graduating. Michael lost his father at an early age, but other relatives stepped in to help pay for his education prior to university. He now serves as inspiration to his younger brothers and sisters, who also hope to attend university. Michael believes computer science will be integral to the transformation of his country and has ambitions in politics as well! To donate to a named fund, click the donate button above,  choose "Named funds" to go to our secure donation site, then scroll to choose 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, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 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.)

Grace Banza Ilunga has been a scholarship beneficiary for four years. is in her 4th year studying Management at Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) "I sincerely want to thank those who finance Education Congo scholarships. Without them I would not have been able to pay for or attend this prestigious university. It is an honor to receive this scholarship, and I hope it will continue to encourage young people like us who want to learn but don't have the means to attend a major university like this one. Merci." 56% of the 9,658 students at Université Protestante au Congo were women in 2024   If you would like to support scholarships for women at UPC, consider donating to one of Education Congo's named funds  designated for women: Sue Cardwell Fund —designated for women students from Bolenge Province or Equateur Province who are preparing for careers in teaching Jain-Goel Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC Sanichas IT Fund —designated for women computer science students at UPC Sanichas Law Fund —designated for women law school students at UPC Jack & Linda Spencer Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC To donate to a named fund, click the donate button above,  choose "Named funds" to go to our secure donation site, then scroll to choose 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, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 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.)

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 will provide 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 (TASOK) 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 maturity so it will provide scholarships at UEA year after year To help more young Congolese attend UEA, please contribute to the UEA Kanji fund. Once the fund reaches maturity at $25,000, its earnings will provide scholarships annually thereafter. The larger the fund, the larger the payout—so please help bring this fund to maturity and keep it growing! To donate click on the red Donate button in the header, select "Named Funds" then scroll to UEA Kanji. We are also happy to accept donations by check. Note “UEA Kanji” on the memo line and mail to Education Congo, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 USA. Click here to donate to the UEA Kanji fund To donate by check  note “UEA Kanji” on the memo line of the check and mail to Education Congo, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103. 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. For information about starting your own named fund, please email us at info@educationcongo.org .

Why do we go back to where we grew up? Perhaps to see what has changed, to see what remains, or to bridge the years, somehow—and reconnect. Where I grew up I was born and raised in the Belgian Congo, which later became the Democratic Republic of Congo. When I went “back” some years ago, I indeed found such a bridging of the years as I visited The American School of Kinshasa (TASOK). TASOK is the international school I attended with students of diverse backgrounds from around the world whose parents worked in various embassies and government agencies, a variety of NGOs, businesses and religious missions around the country. While our parents were working as missionaries in the interior, my brothers and I boarded in a Mennonite missionary hostel. Memories like this resurfaced as we passed through the gate to the old lower school where we used to wait for the Combi (VW minibus) to pick us up along the dusty road bordering the noisy Chanic ship company. I remembered the hibiscus flowers that Joanie (American missionary kid) wore in her hair as she padded barefoot across the playing field from the Baptist hostel… the unreturnable and devastating ping pong slams of Azim and Bashyr (sons of merchants of Indian and Pakistani descent who had worked in eastern Africa for many generations before relocating to Congo)… Jim’s (American missionary kid) python and crocodile in 9th grade biology, at once intriguing and terrifying. So many personal bridges. The reason for my trip—to check on my investments in Congo But I did not go back to revive memories. Rather, I went back to check on my investments. I invest in Education Congo to provide scholarships to Congolese university students who depend on them to stay in school and who are contributing to building a stronger Congo. I wanted to see if my money was accomplishing that. Inspiring returns on my investments In Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, I met a team doing cutting-edge research on HIV that will directly benefit not only Congolese, but others around the world. In the Baptist mission station of Vanga (my birthplace), I met medical students who have not only excelled in their theoretical studies, but were now demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to improving health in Congo. At Université Évangélique en Afrique (UEA) just under 1,000 miles to the east, in Bukavu, set in the war-torn South Kivu province, I saw a multi-disciplinary group of students researching ethics in governance and confronting authorities with their findings—lives on the line, given the politics. I saw students in a lab, testing their own DNA for sickle cell anemia as a way of learning to curb that disease. I saw theology students focused on peace studies and healing in a country torn by brutality. I saw social science students learning how to moderate conflict and bring healing. I saw an agricultural program that not only raises pigs and squash, but addresses pollution. Panzi Hospital and Dr. Mukwege, Nobel Peace Laureate I also visited the Panzi Hospital, founded by Dr. Denis Mukwege, professor on the UEA medical faculty. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his worldwide pioneering of gynecological repair from military rape and accountability for those responsible. UEA medical students learn not only medical treatment, but also Mukwege's model of psychological support, legal aid and economic assistance. Medical students at Panzi Hospital in war-torn Eastern Congo care for patients waiting for and recovering from fistula-repair surgery, the horrific result of sexual violence as a tool of war. As we stepped out of that ward, I saw a sign on the closed door adjacent that said "Pediatrics." I asked why pediatrics would be next door to the ward for fistula repair. They replied "that ward is for pediatric fistula repair." I asked how old and they said 14. I replied no, what I meant was how young, and they said "infants." Renewed commitment to continue investing Yes, the memories help to bridge the years. But more to the point of my visit, my observation of students addressing the pressing issues of Congo overwhelmed me, and this experience reaffirmed my decision to continue investing in scholarships for these students. Donating my IRA disbursements to help students in Eastern Congo Upon turning 73 this year, instead of taking my first Required Minimum Disbursement in cash, I have made a sustainable investment with it in the new “UEA Kanji” Named Fund providing scholarships to students at Université Évangélique en Afrique in Bukavu. This fund was recently established in memory of the late Dr. Mohamed Kanji, a personal childhood friend and TASOK alum of Indian descent. A true world citizen, Mohamed was born in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and lived in Bukavu before a narrow escape to Kinshasa with his family. Dr. Kanji in maroon reuniting with friends from Tabor College After TASOK, he came to the US for university studies of rheumatology and devoted his career to relief for those suffering from pain. As a father, he nurtured his daughter and son to become passionate advocates for human rights, and his fellow scholars and friends across continents came to know him as a passionate advocate for human rights. They have therefore found meaning in contributing in his memory to scholarships for UEA students studying in an environment that emphasizes human rights. I also recommend this fund to anyone seeking to make a meaningful charitable contribution that will continue to fund scholarships year after year in Eastern Congo. How you can help grow the UEA Kanji memorial fund To help more young Congolese attend Université Évangélique en Afrique (UEA), make a contribution to the UEA Kanji fund. Once the fund reaches maturity at $25,000, its earnings will pay for scholarships year after year. The larger the fund, the larger the payout—so please help bring this fund to maturity and keep it growing! Click here to donate to the UEA Kanji fund To donate by check note “UEA Kanji” on the memo line of the check and mail to Education Congo, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 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. For information about starting your own named fund, please email us at info@educationcongo.org .

Six months ahead of my trip to Congo, I tried speaking French and discovered my mouth was no longer physically capable of performing the gymnastics. I had plenty of time so I decided to “train” by reading a children’s book out loud in bed every night before falling asleep. Nothing challenging, just a few easy pages. Set myself up for success. Stop while I’m ahead so that each session ends on a positive note—that’s how we train horses… I randomly picked a French book from childhood years in France—one with a horse on the cover because I am still horse crazy. 1961 French children's book I started reading the story out loud at bedtime. My mouth remained persistently rusty, but I soldiered on. Then I started running into difficult vocabulary words… Reading out loud was not only difficult for my mouth but was proving challenging for my brain as well. As the story progressed, I began to visualize the author lurking behind the pages like the teachers my sister and I had experienced as children in France. If I wanted to enjoy the story, I would have to learn annoying vocabulary words at the same time. One day the city boy is riding the horse in the woods and gets lost in a storm. The horse spooks. He hangs on for dear life at the gallop, falls off, gets back on, then finally arrives back to the chateau hidden in the woods. He is totally wet and scraped up.  He and the ancient groom are taking the saddle off the horse, when suddenly the groom cries out “Il cherche à se sécher!” ("he is searching to dry himself"—meaning “look out, he’s about to roll”—which is what wet horses do to dry off.) But “Il cherche à se sécher!” is nearly impossible to say! It was deliberately designed to twist the tongues of even the most proficient French speakers who are reading out loud to their children. The author had thrown down the gauntlet. No one can say this! I tried once, twice. The third time I tried I had to get out of bed because I was laughing so hard. I went to get a drink of water and kept trying to say it in the kitchen. In fact I am still trying to say it a year later.  I have been closely involved with horses for the past 30 years. When the horse is about to roll before you can get the saddle off, you don’t cry out, “He is searching to dry himself” even if you are French. This was planted deliberately there, maybe even as a plot against Americans who might be trying to read this book out loud.  “Il cherche à se sécher” turned out to foreshadow the tongue-twister moment I would encounter on my trip to the Congo.  Six months later I am interviewing and at the same time videotaping beautiful young Congolese scholarship recipients one at a time. The fitness of my French-speaking mouth has not particularly improved. The loud environment and the fluorescent lighting are the least of my worries. I had planned for my companions to do the interviewing while I videotaped, but two of them are back at the hostel sick in bed. Also we were never expecting 40 students to show up all at once.  Scholarship recipients pulled out from class and waiting for us to interview them We’re in a small room at the university. The students are waiting outside on the landing and all the way down the stairs. As I said, there is a tremendous amount of background noise. Margaret and Madame Jolie are busy listing the students in the order interviewed and lining them up for me. So I stand in my corner, I put each student against the wall one after the other, lifting my iPhone to within what seems like three inches from their noses. I know that’s what it takes to overcome background noise. People are talking. It sounds like the classroom next door is having some kind of celebration. But I still manage to get spectacular video. Mainly because these students have worked so hard to get to where they are, for the most part they are not at all self-conscious. They are focussed on their education and on what they are going to do for their country with their education. The women are focussed helping other women. They understand that being videotaped is an opportunity to tell others about their work and about the importance of scholarships. And to express their gratitude. To have gotten this far they are the crème de la crème and highly motivated. I am holding up my arm approximately two minutes for each student (2 mins. x 40 students = 80 mins. total for my arm and same amount of time intensely concentrating on 40 faces at very close range). Margaret and Madame Jolie have them lined up so efficiently I hardly have time to lower my arm before the next one is in position. I am locking them in with eye contact so they won't be intimidated by a phone in the face. Being so close to their faces and doing my best to listen hard and be present was incredibly intense. But equally inspiring to be so intimately in communication for 1-2 minutes at a time with so many students. Maybe this is what speed dating is like, except that I fell in love with almost all of them! It was so impressive, “I am in 3rd year of law school” or “I come from Ituri Province [God knows how remote that is] studying Management.” Future "neurochirurgien" Then a small young woman with a dazzling smile stepped into place. Charisma! Or as my Greek father used to tell me when explaining that half the English language comes from Greek, HHHA-rees-ma. It comes from the Greek HHHA-rees-ma. HHHA-rees-ma! At least I recognized it when I saw it. Even though here I was with a stiff arm and somewhat traumatized from having to speak French to about 23 students before her. I pulled down my stiff arm, switched to photo mode, put my arm back up and clicked 3 times. Three beautiful photos! I have discovered that when interviewing people and they give a short answer then grind to a halt, all you have to do is repeat the last word they said. This sparkling young woman said she was going to be a surgeon and, because she wanted to be something that is rare and desperately needed in Congo, she said wanted to become a neurosurgeon ("neurochirurgien" in French). Then she came to a halt. Astonished, I repeated, or rather tried to repeat “neurochirurrr…” As impossible to say as “Il cherche à se sécher”! But I didn’t have to say the whole thing. She beamed, gave an enthusiastic “oui” and repeated “neurochirurgien.” In French, when a Oui is enthusiastic it can have a whistling sound. Hers was a whistling Oui. She continued on without any further stalls. After we recovered from the day's events, Margaret and I scrutinized her list to figure which student our future neurosurgeon was. Then we carefully crafted an email in French asking Madame Jolie to schedule a follow-up interview with her. To be continued… [After this we faced even more daunting public-speaking-in-French challenges… but I eventually concluded that the joy and rewards of being able to communicate with such inspiring Congolese students and faculty members far outweighed any crimes I'd committed against the French language.] If you would like to support scholarships for women medical students at UPC, consider donating to one of Education Congo's named funds designated for women medical students: Jain-Goel Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC Jack & Linda Spencer Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC 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, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103 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.)

In response to strong demand, Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) established a computer science department in 2017—the Faculté des Sciences Informatiques (FASI). That first year over 300 students enrolled!  More women joining the ranks Every year, more and more women are applying. As of 2024, 30% of first-year students enrolled were women. Students hail from many different educational backgrounds—ranging from math and chemistry to teaching and literature.   2024 first-year FASI student More applicants than space available Last term, after culling from 700 applicants who took the entrance exam, FASI was only able to accept 396 new students due to lack of space. Unfortunately, lack of funds for tuition has subsequently forced 47 of first-year students to become “inactive.” If they can afford tuition next year or can get an Education Congo tuition scholarship, they will be able to re-enroll in the program. On average 10–15% of new students drop out due to financial pressures.  Highly motivated students Very few fail scholastically. The attrition rate lowers significantly as students advance in the program and can see a bright future at the end of the tunnel. As Prof. David Kutangila, Dean of FASI expressed, “They see a clear vision of the careers they will have upon completing their studies.” Jobs aplenty await graduates Employment is available from Congolese employers in telecommunications (Airtel, Vodacom and Orange), commercial banking (Rawbank and Equity) and government. FASI partners with many employers to place students in internships. Special events and programs also facilitate matching students with employers. FASI leadership and faculty FASI is well staffed with two full-time professors and 28 more professors pulled from other departments at UPC as well as from other universities in Kinshasa. Four of these professors are women.  The Dean of FASI, Prof. David Kutangila, received his PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Granada in Spain in 2005.  Outstanding investment in the future of the Congo A Congolese benefactor has funded the construction of a new building for FASI. When it is completed, it will provide much-needed classroom space for 1st and 2nd year students. More news to come Another small team from Education Congo visited UPC in June. Stay tuned for updates.

Education Congo board member Mary Sanichas with study group of computer science students at Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) Education Congo offers scholarships in specific areas of study through “named funds” that pay out every year, starting the year after they reach maturity at US$25,000.   One of our newest funds, “Sanichas IT,” was started with a balance of $5,000. Once it reaches maturity it will provide tuition scholarships to Congolese women in computer science at UPC.   “Sanichas IT” is in memory of Evadne Sanichas, the daughter of a US Air Force pilot who was stationed in Congo 1965–1967. She attended the American School of Kinshasa (TASOK), then a few years later was in the elite group of women first admitted to Yale University, where she majored in Philosophy. She later attended law school in California, then was a fellow at Georgetown International Law Center.  Evadne spent 30 years as a US government trial attorney defending against large-scale lawsuits by government contractors.  She was a pioneer in using computer technology to track large volumes of information for complex litigation.  Support the education solution to build a stronger Congo! Make a contribution to Sanichas IT fund for women in computer science. Once the fund reaches maturity at $25,000, its earnings will pay for scholarships year after year. The larger the fund, the larger the payout—so please help bring this fund to maturity and keep it growing! To donate click on the red Donate button in the header, select "Named Funds" then scroll to Sanichas IT—or any other Education Congo named fund you wish to donate to. We are also happy to accept donations by check. Note “Sanichas IT” on the memo line and mail to Education Congo, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103. As of 10/15/2024 the current balance of this fund is $5,417.70. 56% of the 9,658 students at Université Protestante au Congo were women in 2024   Listen to video clips from our 2024 interview with the head of UPC, Prof. Robert N'Kwim, talking about the impressive women students and women alumni from UPC   If you would like to support scholarships for women at UPC, consider donating to one of Education Congo's named funds  designated for women: Sue Cardwell Fund —designated for women students from Bolenge Province or Equateur Province who are preparing for careers in teaching Jain-Goel Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC Sanichas IT Fund —designated for women computer science students at UPC Sanichas Law Fund —designated for women law school students at UPC Jack & Linda Spencer Fund —designated for women medical school students at UPC To donate to a named fund, click the donate button above,  choose "Named funds" to go to our secure donation site, then scroll to choose 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, 2216 Elgin Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27103. 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.)