Provide Life-Changing Education to Children in D.R. Congo

Once again, I want to thank you for your continued kindness and caring. Without your generosity, so much of what our missionaries do would simply not be possible. It is because of you — your financial support, your prayers, and your willingness to reach out to those who are suffering — that thousands of men, women and children living in poverty throughout Africa have a chance for a better life. Now, I am hoping that they can count on you once again.

The quote I shared with you at the top of this letter is from Malala Yousafzai. As a young girl, Malala defied the Taliban in Pakistan and demanded that girls be allowed to receive an education. She was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012, but survived, and went on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest person ever to receive the award! Hers is an incredible witness to the power of education not only to give hope — but to be a means of positive change in the world. But as I write this letter to you, there are so many other young boys and girls who desperately long for education but cannot afford it.

Recently, I received a letter from Fr. Peter Ekutt — one of our missionaries who is living and working in Mahagi, an area of extreme poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Fr. Peter is in charge of the Utembi Youth Center in Mahagi . . . and he is doing all that he can to help some of the poorest children of the region get the education they desperately need and deserve.

“Nearly 30% of the school-age children in the country do not attend school,” Fr. Peter writes. “The overwhelming majority of those live in rural areas like Mahagi where we are. In some areas, sending a child to school is still a problem because parents just do not have the money to pay school fees. This lack of education is now resulting in widespread illiteracy.”

“We have many children who have never been to school,” Fr. Peter continues. “And as they get older, the problem gets compounded because it becomes more difficult to learn as one gets older. These are mostly kids born into poor families — whose income is below a dollar a day. The financial capacity of these families is so very poor that they can only focus on feeding their children. For them, education is for rich people because only they can afford it. We are hoping to change that — but we need your help.”

Fr. Peter and the volunteers at the youth center have already begun reaching out to those children most in need, but there are so many things that are required in order to get an educational program started. While parents and other adults are volunteering their time, trained and certified school teachers are still needed . . . as are desks and tables, books and other educational materials. I am hoping that you will reach out to give the children in Mahagi the education they deserve!

In addition to helping the children in Mahagi, though, there may be ways you can support educational programs for children in your own community. One way may be to volunteer to help younger children (especially those in kindergarten) learn to read. Community libraries are also usually looking for volunteers to read during storytime for young children. You might also contact your local school administrators to see where you might be of the most assistance.

In total, we are hoping to raise at least $33,500 to provide education for the children in Fr. Peter’s mission in Mahagi — as well as support our other education projects throughout Africa. Please know that any amount you can send — no matter what the giving level — will help those who need it most. As I have said before, your generosity is what makes our work possible. God bless you for your kindness.

 

Your Missionary Friend,

Denis P. Pringle
Director of Development