“A Congolese child born today can expect to achieve only 37% of their potential, compared to what would have been possible if they had benefited from a full, quality schooling experience.” That same source indicates that “The quality of education is extremely poor. In terms of learning and achievement, the primary completion rate is only about 67 %, and an estimated 86% of 10-year-olds in DRC are
in learning poverty, meaning they cannot read and understand a simple text.” - World Bank
Our mission is to help alleviate that. Through this school, and other forthcoming projects, we are hoping to create an opportunity for the children of Mushaki, DRC to meet their potential and earn an education to help them gain admission in a secondary school in a larger and safer area within the DRC. Co-founded by Jackie Jaramillo and Dan Torsiello in 2021, The Kivu Project, Inc. came from a trip Dan took in hopes of accomplishing the lifelong goal of trekking into the mountains and visiting with the endangered mountain gorilla. In addition to the trek, guide Christian Aganze of Congo Local Guides asked if Dan would be willing to visit some of Goma’s overflowing orphanages and possibly make a small donation. Aside from visiting orphanages, Christian arranged for a visit to the rural village of Mushaki. Part of Dan's time in Mushaki was spent visiting a local school - school being used in the most basic sense. Missing walls, a lack of school supplies, and far less seating than students are just some of the challenges facing the school. The scene goes from disappointing to heartbreaking when you factor in the dirty clothes and bare feet of the children attending this school.