1   Education in French

Between 200 to 400 languages and dialects are spoken in the DRCongo. French is the only official language, along with 4 national languages: lingala, swahili, kikongo and tshiluba. Lingala is spoken in the Province of Kinshasa (it’s also the language of the famous rumba songs), and in the village of Kikimi, the children speak mainly lingala at home with their parents. It is therefore essential to teach them how to speak, read and write in French, which our school is devoted to. Without a proper knowledge of French, it will be difficult for them to succeed later on in life.

Here’s a clip of a French lesson:

And here are some pics of the students in class.

2   A Lesson on Nature

Our school is built on a large property where Théo has planted a variety of fruit trees, plants and vegetables. All the teachers have to do to give a lesson on natural science is to step out of the classroom with the children and take them on a nature walk. Here’s a group of first grade students learning how to identify two particular trees growing there: a papaya tree and a “safoutier” tree.

The “safoutier” is an oil-producing tree native to the Congo Basin. Its purple fruit, the “safou”, a plum which looks a bit like small eggplants, is prepared like a vegetable, either boiled or grilled.

3   Tailoring Training

Here’s a little clip of a tailoring class given to the high school students who have chosen this option. Thanks to the training they are receiving, they are hopeful to earn a living when they finish school.

4   Youth Ministry

Jacques: A few months ago, Jacques had appendicitis, a somewhat risky operation in Congo, that kept him in the hospital for a while. This month, he was able to resume his Sunday School activities, teaching the children values that help them stay on the right track.

Aristote: You may remember how Aristote, a few months ago, had to quit his position as an assistant professor in university for reason of morality and integrity. Being a civil engineer, he has decided to create his own construction enterprise, and to teach building skills to underprivileged youth and street kids. He has already started with the young people from the association « Jeunes au Soleil » and some others he’s been teaching.

This month, he also had a meeting with those who had graduated with him from the 12 Foundation Stones to encourage them to start teaching this course again to anyone interested.

He also took some of the young people he’s teaching on an excursion to the mountains in N’Sele, for a time of retreat and prayer.

Ruth was very touched by the story of Jimmy from the STEPS Program on Friendship. She herself having been a street kid could identify to this story, which shows how friendship, even in the heart of poverty, is more precious than riches, often accompanied by loneliness. She is thankful for her friend who told her about the association « Jeunes au Soleil » who has now taken her in. And she is so thankful for Aristote coming there to share hope, love and faith with the children.