Democratic Republic of Congo
Education, War Victims
$20,000 Goal
Provide solar-powered laptops and sewing machines for students in a school in a war-torn area
The Situation
Conducting educational programs in this war-torn area of the world is challenging due to the past violence, damage to buildings, pillaging of materials and furniture needed for education.
The Sisters’ Response
Since 1968, the Sisters of the Institute of St. Joseph have conducted a school for girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near the borders of Burundi and Rwanda. The school prepares young women to maximize their potential and prepare for careers.
Now that the warring and pillaging has slowed down, the time is ideal to bring these school programs up to their maximum potential by providing them with solar-powered computers and sewing machines.
Security at the school now includes reinforced doors and windows to protect these investments. In addition sentries with watchdogs guard the school, day and night.
“The failure of [old] equipment prevents many practical activities and it detracts from the completeness of the computer data training and sewing skills.”
Sr. Clare
Funds Needed: $20,000
How funds will be used:
Rebuild a fence that collapsed due to flooding to make sure new supplies are safe
Per school
- 10 laptops
- 10 electric sewing machines
- 4 solar panels and other required parts
- Technicians to install and other miscellaneous parts
This program can be replicated in other Democratic Republic of the Congo schools who have similar problems.
Systemic Impact
To ensure education is well-resourced and continues in this area, the students need computers to be computer literate and sewing machines to learn tailoring skills to ensure future employment.