We're excited to share an update from February at the Congo Peace School. This month, we focused on what the students have learned about one of the core tenets of the school's philosophy.
“Once I knew the depth where no hope was, and darkness lay on the face of all things... But a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living.” ― Helen Keller, Optimism
At the Congo Peace School, an 8-letter word fell into the hands, the minds, the lives of the students, staff, and teachers. A word that, based on what some of the students share with us below, caused their hearts to open to new ways of living. That word? EQUALITY.
Equality is the basis of Amani Matabaro's vision for his community-led work in Congo. It is the basis in ensuring the same number of girls (or more) attend the school as do boys. It is the foundation in training the teachers and staff that the Congo Peace School is different from other schools in the region: teachers engage with their students as equals; there is no corporal punishment, as there is in other schools. Students engage with each other as equals, sharing ideas, doing games and practices to physically learn what it is to stand eye to eye, to walk in their classmates' shoes.
And as we learned from these students this February, the idea of equality is taking hold, and changing not only their own lives, but their families and communities. As Busime summed it up: Equality means peace!
Busime Mushiayuma is 16 years old and a 4th grade secondary school student. Asked about the word, she responded: "Equality is something I had never been told before I came to the Congo Peace School. It’s here where I heard for the first time that all human beings are equal and free. It always makes me feel happy to be in the same school where we, the girls and boys, are equal. I wish all the community was educated this way. Equality for me means no discrimination between boys and girls, men and women. If the leaders of our country understand and apply equality, things will be alright! Equality means peace!"
Mushagalusa Mushamuka: "I am 14 years old, and I am a second grade student in secondary school. The Congo Peace School was the first place I heard about the importance of the word equality, it's just the only way to make everyone's rights respected. Equality means people are equal, that's as important as the Gospel they preach every Sunday."
Mutalegwa Kasesa: "I am 18 years old and I am a third grade student in secondary level. Being 18 and only in third grade secondary means I was the victim of discrimination: I should be graduating from secondary school by now, but for no other reason than me being a girl, I was not given the same chance as my brothers. Equality must be applied in all aspects of our lives."
"Equality is an important word for me, it's living by respecting the other, it's always taking the time to put yourself in the place of the other. And if everyone lives by practicing equality, the world will be peaceful. I like equality at school, at home, and in the community but many people still need to understand." -Ashuza Buhendwa, 16 years old, 3rd grade of secondary school.
Nkombera Cigarhilirwa is in 2nd grade of secondary school. "Equality is not about the age, size or height, it's about looking at one another the same way you'd want people to look at you. Equality for me also means the respect of the rights of others. We need to live equality here at school, at home and in our everyday life. Many things need to change in our society before we confirm equality has been put into practice. I have come to understand and know that what men do, women can do as well. Discrimination has to stop and that's equality."
We also welcomed a new calf to the organic Community Farm this February! Pictured here nursing from his mama, as he grows, grazing in the field and eating grass, he plays an important part in the community farm. (Hint: cow poop!)
The Community Farm provides both an educational space and professional platform for women and students to learn and put into practice organic, aquaponic techniques and animal husbandry.
Compost & Regeneration: With cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, and three fish ponds, Action Kivu's visionary leader Amani and agronomist Mukengere utilize some of the latest techniques in aquaponics, composting the waste from the animals to feed the fish.
Aquaponics: The nutrient rich water from the tilapia ponds is used to water the crops.
Harvest & Sustainability: At harvest, the crops feed the women's families, are sold at the market for income, and help the Congo Peace School provide organic, healthy meals to the students there.
*The students and staff continue to wear masks, wash hands, and follow all the protocols to avoid transmission of the Coronavirus - the Mumosho region continues to stay outbreak free, and they continue to be vigilant.*
Thank you for your commitment to this transformational work. We are all connected, and what lifts up and provides greater equality and justice for the people of Congo creates a more equal, just world for us all.
Invest in greater equality here!