Tuko Pamoja – Together We Are

Congo Initiative is an envisioned community of Congolese leaders and global partners united for the transformation of lives and a flourishing Democratic Republic of Congo.

Empowered by this vision, Congo Initiative educates ethical leaders who have integrity; invests in a sustainable vibrant Congolese society; and develops grassroots initiatives for peace, hope, and justice.

In this vision, we are together—being transformed to transform.

Where We Work

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a land of unparalleled beauty and natural wealth. Mineral resources, rainforests, and an abundance of lakes and rivers make Congo one of the most richly endowed countries on Earth. Congo’s greatest strength though is its people, who are rich in faith, courage, and hope.

We work in a place of great pain and suffering as well as incredible hope and opportunity. We approach our work with prayer and reflection as Congo’s history and much of its current reality is marked with tragedy. Through decades of colonial rule, dictatorship, political upheaval, civil war, and environmental degradation, the Congolese people remain resilient and hopeful.

Congo Initiative is based in North Kivu province, eastern Congo, in the city of Beni (population: approximately 250,000). Beni is located 46.5 miles west of the Ugandan border and the Rwenzori Mountains. The North Kivu province stretches along Congo’s eastern border with Rwanda and Uganda. The provincial capital is Goma, located 186 miles south of Beni.

Congo Initiative was founded in 2005 and opened the doors of the Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) (Christian Bilingual University of Congo) in 2007. Since then, UCBC has educated and equipped hundreds of change-makers who model transformation by renewing communities and promoting systemic justice in DRC. Today, our growing organisation continues to serve this community through five initiatives and a global community on three continents.

Scenic view of a river and hills in the Congo

Some Congolese people travelling on a dirt road

Who we are

Congo Initiative consists of three entities: Congo Initiative – l’Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (CI-UCBC), Congo Initiative USA (CI-USA), and Congo Initiative UK (CI-UK). Our work and programmes are run by our leadership at CI-UCBC and based in Beni, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.