Educate Medical Professionals in DR Congo

In June 2014, some 39 villagers in Mutarule perished in an ethnic-based massacre. Among the survivors were Hekima and his parents, who found their way to Rwenena as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Hekima was born with Madelung's deformity, leaving his left hand without functionality. His parents are subsistence farmers and his father is blind in one eye. IDPs and those with physical impairments are two categories of vulnerable children in our program.

At age 7, Hekima is an incoming first grader. Neither his parents nor his teachers believed he could succeed with the use of only one hand, but he proved them wrong. In the first quarter, he scored second highest in his class. Hekima had been placed in our after-school supplementary education program for struggling learners. His teacher, Esperance, reports, “We admire Hekima more and more. He continues to improve in large part because of the after-school programs.”

Hekima engages actively in our Sport for Peace program, despite sometimes losing his balance while running. His classmates don't mind, in keeping with the program's teaching of collaboration & mutual acceptance of all regardless of circumstance. 

Isaac, the school principal, describes Hekima as “a student who will be a good future leader.” As for Hekima himself, he finds that "classroom learning and Sport for Peace activities push me to socialize with my classmates. [With them] I feel equal and happy despite my physical condition."  

This is what our program is about and what your donations provide: Giving Hekima and other vulnerable children a chance to succeed through education. Vulnerable families—whose children would not otherwise attend school—are instilled with a newfound pride. Receiving uniforms, school supplies, and book bags provide tangible evidence of students’ newfound status (see photos).

Thank you for thinking of Hekima and others like him on Giving Tuesday (November 29, when funds will be matched by 50%) and throughout the holiday season.