Make College an Option for 70 Congo (DRC) Students

The first session of exams at Djolu Technical College has concluded. The final session of exams for the 2008 school year has been delayed and will begin in February, assuming we can get professors there in time from Kisangani. To date, 32 students from years one through three have successfully completed their exams, in one of the two majors offered by the college, Rural Techniques or Environment and Sustainable Development.

Graduating students have traveled to Kisangani on foot or by bicycle (530 km away) over the holidays to use computers to type their theses, since there are no computers at Djolu Technical College, and to purchase suitable clothing for the upcoming graduation ceremony.

Communications between the Kisangani liaison office and Djolu Technical College have been difficult of late since the shortwave radio station at the Kisangani liaison office was destroyed by lightning, and has not yet been replaced for lack of funds.

Eleven new candidates are waiting to register for the forthcoming academic year. Three young men and four young women from Kokolopori received $200 scholarships from Vie Sauvage this past year. We hope to expand the number of scholarships available in the coming year.

Internships were provided at three different sites this past year: -- Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve -- The Central Office of the Djolu Health Zone -- The Djolu Territory administrative office

Part of the funds, so urgently needed, that we received through the Global Giving website are being disbursed this month to help pay professors' salaries. The entire school community will be grateful to hear about the support we are receiving from generous individuals abroad, as we prepare to begin another new academic year in 2009.