Education in Amadi, DR Congo - Part 1

At the present time, and despite the unsettling conditions where most live in fear of another raid on their village, the program that Georges and his parish have already begun continues to help both children and young adults in Amadi. They sponsor 2 girls in primary school, 2 girls and 2 boys in high school, and 4 young women in superior school (college). Only those in primary school study in Amadi. The high school is in "Poko", a small city 85 km from Amadi. Isiro, which is the nearest city, 210 km away, is where the superior schools and University are located. But to arrive there, because of the really bad road conditions, people need one day in a car or motorbike (which most don't have), or two days on bicycle (the much more common mode of transportation in these parts).

I was interested in putting some faces and names with the kids and very curious to learn as much as I could about them, so I asked him if it would be possible to send a few photos of the kids who are participating. In order to receive the photos below, here's what had to happen, since Georges is temporarily in Italy studying and working with other parishes:

"I will have a "correspondent" in Congo. With a camera, he can go, take photos and informations we need. And from the nearest city which has internet - 210km but it needs one day of travel because of the roads - he can send me all that."

Aisance is 9 years old and from a poor family in the village. She is in her 3rd year of primary school in Amadi.

Jeanne is 11. She was taken from her mother who suffers from madness. She is her 4th year of primary school in Amadi, thanks to the sponsorship of this program.

In Congo, the government pays teachers very little, around US$60/month for the most qualified teachers in Amadi. For this reason, parents must pay an additional "contribution" each month to the teacher. This amounts to:
- $5 for 1 child in primary school for 1 month
- $10 for 1 child in high school for 1 month

For the 10-month scholar year, including registration fees ($15 for primary school and $30 high school), a child can study for:
- $65 in primary school
- $130 in high school

Rose Delingi, is 19 years old and has a 3-year old child. From a poor family, she got pregnant when she was only 15 years old because her family couldn't afford her studies and take care of her. Another man was helping her, until he discovered she was pregnant with his child. Desperate, she tried to abort, but was not successful. She was able to resume her studies last year and is now in her 3rd year of high school in Poko.

Mariam Kitete, 14 years old and the first girl from a family of 5 whose mother is not married. She is in her 1st year of secondary school in Poko.













Judoc, is an 18 year old orphan. He lost both his parents when he was 7 years old. He is in his 3rd year of high school in Poko.








Francoise Bandengbako, is 28. She had to quit secondary school at 16 when she became pregnant. When she had her baby, she began her nurse's studies for 3 years. For the last 2 years she has been working in Amadi's clinic. She is needed in the village for her nursing skills and so was sent to Isiro to further her studies.








Check back next week for the remaining 3 young adults being sponsored, what they are all doing themselves to contribute, and also what you can do to help...perhaps you'd like to sponsor a child?