Congo Initiative

09/03/2026

August was a special month at UCBC as we celebrated another class of graduates stepping into the next chapter of their lives.

Today, we reflect on these students and the hard work they put in during their time at UCBC. We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see where you go from here.

Congratulations graduates!

Find photos of the celebration at bit.ly/UCBCGrad2026

08/25/2026

As a fourth-year economics student and campus leader, UCBC student Ashula Rachid Assim has credited the university for changing his worldview. Through his involvement in leadership development and advocacy work, he’s learning what it means to serve first and lead second.

Rachid wants not only to tell his sister that a more equitable future is possible, but also to be part of the change.

Learn more about this inspiring student and discover how UCBC’s focus on servant leadership is changing his vision for the future at bit.ly/20for20_Rachid.

08/14/2026

Today was graduation day in Beni! We're so excited to acknowledge the graduates' accomplishments and celebrate with them!

08/13/2026

Graduation is almost here at UCBC! 🎓

As we prepare to celebrate our newest graduates, we're reflecting on the impact of this community. Since UCBC began, 1,080 graduates have gone on to serve their communities. Some have even returned to teach.

We're also proud that 100% of UCBC students receive financial aid and that our student body is nearly evenly split between women and men.

And the impact doesn't stop on campus: more than 50,000 people have been reached through Congo Initiative's community engagement programs.

Thank you for helping make this possible. Together, we're investing in students who are helping shape the future of the DRC. 💙

If you’d like to help a future graduate make it to this milestone, consider a donation. Every contribution counts.

Congratulations to the graduates!

congoinitiative.org/give/

08/11/2026

UCBC's Class of 2026 will graduate on Friday, August 14!

After four years of training, hard work and perseverance these UCBC students are ready to take the next step in their academic and professional journeys.

Join us in congratulating all the 2026 graduates!

JOUR J-3 | LA CLASS OF 2026 S’APPRÊTE À ÉCRIRE UNE NOUVELLE PAGE
Après 4 années de formation, d’efforts et de persévérance, nos étudiants sont désormais prêts à franchir une nouvelle étape de leur parcours académique et professionnel.

À l’occasion de la 16ᵉ Cérémonie de Collation des Grades Académiques, l’UCBC vous donne rendez-vous pour célébrer ensemble le mérite et l’excellence de la Class of 2026.
📅 Vendredi 14 août 2026
📍 Kasali Hope Campus, Kipriani – UCBC
🕗 08h00 – 13h00.

Parents, familles, amis, partenaires et membres de la communauté universitaire, venez nombreux partager ce moment historique avec nos finalistes et témoigner de votre soutien à cette nouvelle génération de diplômés.
Une étape s’achève, une nouvelle aventure commence.

Rendez-vous ce vendredi pour célébrer l’excellence de la Class of 2026 !

07/23/2026

For nearly a year, Kavugho waited in prison with little hope of leaving. Without money or legal representation, her case stalled in a system where poverty can become its own sentence.

Through UCBC’s Justice Initiative and the Christian Lawyers Association, Kavugho received legal support, advocacy and a path toward freedom.

Her story is one of many. Through this work, vulnerable individuals in Beni are finding advocates when they have nowhere else to turn. For some, justice means freedom. For others, it means dignity restored, truth defended and a future reclaimed.

The Justice Initiative is a reminder that hope often begins with someone willing to stand beside the forgotten.

Read more of the story at bit.ly/20for20_justice.

07/09/2026

How is Congo Initiative transforming communities in Eastern Congo?

It starts with education, but it doesn’t end there. Through UCBC, ABC and La Charité Primary School, students are formed not only academically, but as leaders with character and a heart to serve their communities.

That same vision continues beyond the classroom. Through initiatives like the Nyota Leadership Program, young women are being equipped with confidence, leadership skills and entrepreneurial capacity, stepping into roles that reshape families and communities for the better.

And surrounding it all is a deeper commitment to holistic community development. Congo Initiative walks alongside communities to strengthen education, health, economic opportunity and spiritual life together. It’s a long-term approach to transformation that seeks to restore dignity and build resilience from the ground up.

From classrooms to community life, this is a story of people being equipped, empowered and released to bring lasting change across Congo. 🌍

07/07/2026

It’s World Kiswahili Language Day! 🌍🗣️

As one of Africa’s most widely spoken languages, Kiswahili serves as a powerful tool for communication, connecting millions of people across the continent and beyond.

In the DRC, Kiswahili is spoken by millions of people every day and serves as an important thread in the country's rich linguistic landscape. We love that the language carries stories and traditions that help preserve cultural memories. Its use and growth reflect the resilience and vibrancy of the people who speak it.

Congo Initiative understands how important language is to shaping a sense of community and identity. We are proud to join others around the world in celebrating Kiswahili today (and every day!).

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4wudsyR

07/04/2026

Twenty years ago, Congo Initiative began with the belief that lasting transformation will happen when local leaders are equipped to serve their own communities.

Today, we're celebrating 20 years of impact and sharing the stories behind the numbers in our 2025 Annual Report. Due to the support of people like you, Congo Initiative has seen:

✨ A significant rise in enrollment at both the primary/secondary level (up from 698 students in 2025 to 1024 students in 2026) and in higher education at UCBC (up from 512 students in 2025 to 673 in 2026).

📚 A call to return to lead. 19 UCBC faculty/staff members participated in advanced studies programs (MA/PhD) to strengthen the university from within.

💙 A focus on healing the whole person. Beyond the classroom, Congo Initiative is connected to the everyday life of the communities we serve. Our Bethesda Counseling Center provided counseling and music therapy services to more than 2,000 men, women and children.

Want to learn more about what we’ve been up to? View the annual report here: bit.ly/CI2025AnnualReport.