Primary Education - Ending Poverty & Conflict
“ If leadership is the key, then education is the key to bringing up these leaders.”
- Dr. David Kasali, President & Founder of Congo Initiative
Primary Education
In Congo, an estimated 7 million children aged 5-17 do not go to school, with only 50% of girls in that age group attending. Only 67% of children who start first grade will complete sixth grade.* We believe the first step to breaking cycles of poverty and conflict is primary education. Congo Initiative invests in Congo’s youngest learners through Académie Bilingue du Congo and La Charité Bilingue du Congo.
*Resources: UNICEF & USAID
Académie Bilingue du Congo
Académie Bilingue du Congo (ABC) is the affiliated primary school of UCBC, and seeks to apply UCBC’s transformational vision of education in the lives of eastern Congo’s youngest learners. The school has six forms (“grades”) for children ages 5–12 and a nursery school for children 2–5. Our multinational team of faculty and staff focuses on character development, community engagement, and critical thinking as we seek to produce well-balanced global citizens. The introduction of evidence-based curriculum and teaching techniques allows us to engage learners at all stages and abilities as a new model for primary education in Congo. ABC is led by UCBC alumni who are empowered by their own education to instill the vision for transforming Congo in the minds and hearts of their young students. Our motto: Love-Discovery-Excellence.
La Charité Bilingue du Congo
La Charité Bilingue du Congo (LCB) was first established to reach the most vulnerable portion of the population by offering a quality, bilingual education for primary students. LCB currently serves more than 200 children in grades K-6. Core academic instruction, physical exercise, music, and a loving environment are all part of the educational model. LCB is largely funded by donors and serves many students who would otherwise not be able to attend school.
