Have you ever felt unstoppable? That hour (or maybe even a day, a week?) in which it felt that you were solving problems, answering questions, finding real solutions, helping someone? That soaring feeling somewhere in your chest that you had found your niche, your people, your place, a sense of purpose?
Speaking to Amani about the power of education, I realized that in partnering with him and through his leadership and the community of the Congo Peace School, we can all tap into that feeling, the knowledge that together, we can be unstoppable agents for peace and equality through education. This is what we want for the students, for ourselves, and for you, our community of partners!
Please take two minutes to watch this inspiring video, in which Amani shares why he believes (and sees the evidence of): “Education keeps people free!... So education is the answer against slavery, against lack of freedom, against the lack of democracy. So education is the key.”
While students continue to thrive at the Congo Peace School, they struggle in the midst of persistent trauma: M23 and other militias continue their attacks on civilians in surrounding areas (Mumosho, where the Peace School is located remains relatively safe), food insecurity is a chronic, life-threatening issue that we’re working to provide solutions locally to address, as well as the extreme poverty of the region that leaves people in a constant state of fear.
Yet in this, as Amani notes in the video, students and staff at the Congo Peace School are learning to believe in themselves, to act with agency for peace in their homes and communities and country, to become unstoppable. They are fortified with the education that you are investing in, the daily healthy meals that you are investing in, and the hope you are investing in for a better, safer future.
Olame Rwizobuka is looking forward to reading new books in the school library, but notes that we need books about women’s leadership. She also plans to learn more computer skills this school year. (16 years old, 4th grade Congo Peace School Secondary School)
Mulume Mufungizi shares: “The past four years were full of fears and despair because of strange things that have been happening: COVID-19, lack of peace which continues in our country. For 2023, I hope for peace, it’s needed. I wish the COVID-19 pandemic is completely over in the world. One of the goals I want to achieve is to become a 6th grader and be able to graduate from secondary school. I dream, wish, and hope to go to University. For me, this year is new hope, new dreams, and new determination.” (16 years old, 5th grade Congo Peace School Secondary School)
Another recent highlight from the Congo Peace School:
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Amani gathered the student body in the auditorium to honor the civil rights leader whose principles of nonviolence are the bedrock of the school’s curriculum.
Amani shares: I spoke about some of his key achievements such as: The Montgomery Bus Boycott, The Great March on Washington, Civil Right Act of 1964, The Voting Rights Act.
I spoke about how courage and determination can change lives, and save lives. I highlighted these events as the interpretations of King's six principles of nonviolence for direct actions.
Our teachers, especially Daniel and Deo, the school principals, said that the approach by King is the only antidote for the ongoing situation of violence, the bad governance in the African Great Lakes Region countries, especially the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The school principal was inspired to continue to lead the school with the inspiration and model of King.
Thank you for your commitment to partner with the people of Congo in this way, and continuing to see the urgency to do so, as well as the impact it makes.