Educate 130 Children of Rape Victims in DR Congo

This has definitely been a time of transition at our schools, especially at the Vijana Primary School in Luberizi. As reported last month, a storm tore the roof off of 4 of the classrooms. Attempts at facilitation with government authorities have fallen flat, which is not surprising. An appeal has also been made to the newly installed bishop, but we predict it will be a long wait before he visits and inspects the damage to the school. Fortunately we have procured U.S. funding for repair from an outside source, leaving GlobalGiving funds intact to continue to pay for tuition and our tutoring program, which remains successful. Classes continue to meet at Luberizi, and when it rains, the students share space with kids in the covered classrooms. Naturally, this disrupts learning. We don't know at this time how long the repair will take once the funds reach them. We are pleased that parents have come through with their pledge to provide used roofing shingles for the effort.

In better news, recently we procured funding - in part from a GlobalGiving microproject - to provide our students with geometrical math kits (including measuring tools) and composition books. This acquisition marks a huge leap in the children's education. Math is no longer limited to learning with 1 box of bottle caps for arithmetic, and chalk for solving equations at the front of the room by only a few students. We are seeking additional funding through a new GlobalGiving microproject, which we expect to be posted soon and which will benefit the struggling students of Luberizi: Backpacks to hold their new belongings and which they can bring home for additional studying (search "backpacks 45 kids DR Congo"). Later we may also have a second microproject for shoes for the Luberizi kids (search "shoes 45 kids DR Congo"). As always, you can continue to reach me personally at annetteamcav@gmail.com.

Remember that you can pledge regular support to this project by becoming a recurring donor here on GlobalGiving. $20 per month, for example, is less than a dollar a day. Without our core needs met - ongoing funding for tuition and tutoring for all 130 chldren - nothing else would be possible. We have come such a long way since we brought these stigmatized children out from the homes where they stayed and brought them to school for the first time. You can also make a gift donation to honor a friend or loved one. And to share your support for this project, you can start your own fundraising campaign: Just click the green "fundraiser" button underneath the large orange "donate" button on the project page. Thanks to all for your support.

Dear Supporters,

I am sorry to report that a recent storm destroyed the roof over 4 of the classrooms at our Vijana Primary School in Luberizi. This is the same school profiled in our last report, which featured a young boy giving thanks for you, the donors of GlobalGiving. Classes are continuing to be held despite heat and even rain. AMCAV is facilitating community meetings of parents and school, government, and church authorities to see how much they can all pitch in to get the job done. The parents will be contributing used roof panels. The preliminary estimate is $2,220, which includes new panels, so the final cost should be cheaper with the used panels. In the meantime, since our students comprise a substantial percentage of the school and since infrastructure in DR Congo is poor with the country earning the #2 slot in the 2013 Failed States report, we believe it is right that emergency funding from this project be applied. Please pitch in what you can. If we raise enough, and again in collaboration with the community, we will also explore costs to repair a longstanding roof leak at our Rwenena school. Otherwise funds will be used to pay tuition fees and maintain our new supplemental learning program. Thank you for your consideration.

Thanks to your donations, the supplemental learning program continues to be successful. We have therefore moved past the pilot stage and approved its implementation at another school of this project, Rwenena Primary School. They are very excited to begin.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at annetteamcav@gmail.com.

Best wishes to all of you for a joyous holiday season and a healthy and happy 2014.

Links:

• Failed States Report 2013: DRC #2 worst failed state