Congo Initiative

infobox Organization
name = Congo Initiative


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motto = Isaiah 43:18,19
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type = Non-Profit
status =
purpose = Holistic
headquarters =
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region_served = Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
membership =
language = French, English
leader_title =
leader_name = David Kasali
main_organ = Board of Directors
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website = http://congoinitiative.org
remarks =Isaiah 43:18,19

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

The Congo Initiative - Christian Bilingual University of Congo (CI-UCBC) has the opportunity to influence the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by training committed graduates who are academically high in quality, contextually trained, and ethically sound. Our focus in being bilingual, using both French and English as languages of instruction; Christian, upholding moral and social values; triadic, combining academics, work and community service; and holistic, developing programs that address real life issues in church and society, have made CI-UCBC a fresh and unique life and hope giving institution in the current needy context of DRC. CI-UCBC is also attractive to the people of Congo for the 21st century because DRC traditional educational system has tended to uproot graduates from their communities and to alienate them from the people they are supposed to serve. We are committed to being holistic and caretakers of people and land; we are committed to community interaction and transformation, and to developing committed and compassionate leaders and individuals for the rebuilding of a nation that is emerging from years of conflicts (Second Congo War) and mismanagement.

Purpose

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reached a historic milestone in 2006. For the first time in over 40 years, the people of DRC cast their ballots and chose a president through democratic elections widely acclaimed as free and fair (Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, 2006). A new government was installed in January 07. However, the government, the Church, and the whole nation are now faced with enormous challenges to rebuild their nation after years of war, poverty, and neglect. While the challenges are enormous, people carry hope and commitment to improve their lives. In this perspective, CI-UCBC is developing progressive partnerships with churches and organizations locally and overseas to implant excellent academic programs, to offer in-service training for church ministers and professionals in societies, and to remain engaged in community services, all based on the love of Christ.

Vision

To train and develop strong, indigenous Christian leaders to transform their communities and their nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mission

To model, nurture and shape an authentic, redemptive community of Christ’s followers whose calling is to transform the society in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Guiding Values

"Community life:" to create opportunities for sharing experience and spiritual practices by promoting a learning process based on spiritual principles of mentoring and discipleship through various programs and activities.

"Service Oriented:" to create an environment and to develop a Christ-like servant character in men and women who will become agents of transformation.

"Reflection:" to allow and promote dialogue and interactive learning in groups, so as to conciliate knowledge and practice and to formulate solutions that are relevant to the context of DRC.

"Integration:" to develop a holistic ministry associating the mind, emotion and action in theology, politics and business for both individuals and communities.

Goal

To see DRC society transformed and developed through model leaders who implement Kingdom values and act as agents of change.

Environmental Assessment: Threats and Opportunities Profile

An important task and step in developing a strategic plan includes identifying the environmental context: internal and external. This allows an implementation that takes into consideration strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis (SWOT).

Internal Environment

English Language Center “ELC”

CI-UCBC runs an English learning center for people from all layers of society. It is a nine months training with three levels: Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced levels, each lasting three months. The ELC center interacts with the community by holding weekend English clubs where many other people speaking English join to discuss topics from common life as well as other specific topics of interest to the community. For the past few years, ELC has served as a primary center that influences the educated leaders from the wider communities, including politicians and businessmen. Furthermore, it serves as motivation for those willing to enroll for academic progress at the Bilingual university of CI-UCBC.

Preparatory Year

CI-UCBC aligns Preparatory year with its academic program. The curriculum focuses on teaching English as means of communication and medium of instruction; computer skills are taught to bring students into the modern world of computer literacy for research and communication; general courses, work methodology and CI-UCBC philosophy and values are also taught to prepare students for studies at UCBC. The preparatory year provides an opportunity for students, staff and faculty members to be molded together in the initiation of becoming agents of transformation for the neighboring community and for the world at large. This preparation is foundational for all that CI-UCBC strives to be and to do.

Triad: Academics - Work - Service

The triadic training provides an opportunity for learners (1) to reflect on the meaning and value of work and service to others as an intellectual and Christian obligation; (2) the end result will be graduates who are intellectually sound, love to work, and are committed to serve others and to transform their communities.

In Academics: We strive for academic excellence. Our program provides the foundation for relating education to real life experience.

In Work Learning Program: Through the “WLP” students develop practical skills, time management, and teamwork necessary for life and work after graduation. Every student contributes and works with others, thus creating a sense of respect and a spirit of community. For now, all students work two hours per week due to the walk distance.

Service Learning Program: During their years of education, students will use the “SLP” knowledge gained from their classes and skills from work experience to serve the wider community. Service performed will help students define and understand their role as agents of social change and social justice. The combination of academics, work and service takes students from classroom to the field and to the wider community as agents of transformation. This is a “Just Noticeable Difference” in the system of education that is bringing about significant change of mentality.

Workshops and Seminars

CI-UCBC instructional connection with communities is effectual through the organization of seminars, workshops, conferences and consultations for churches and different social groups and professionals. Various topics, from business, politics, to family life are being studied and discussed through these activities.

Construction in progress

CI-UCBC mobilizes people locally and overseas to actively participate in the planting of its physical location and buildings in order to create adequate facilities and environment for the establishment of its organization and the achieving of its goals. In this perspective, CI-UCBC makes all efforts to induce the whole community to the spirit of ownership of and participation.

Global Partnership and Personnel

CI-UCBC works in partnership with individuals, churches, training institutions and organizations locally, in Kenya and

CI-UCBC has Board members in the USA mandated to develop partnerships in the USA, and Board members in DRC mandated to develop partnerships in DRC.

CI-UCBC has staff in the USA for its promotion, advocacy, and for the coordination of fundraising.

CI-UCBC has staff in DRC for the operations, local mobilization and the raising of support.

General External Environment

Physical EnvironmentThe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is made of a mixture of forest and rivers in the basin, and savanna in the hills, providing very fertile conditions. The climate is cool in the hills, but very hot at the edges of the Lakes and amidst the forest. Crossed by the Equator, the whole country faces two seasons during the year, either 3 to 4 months of rain followed by dry seasons; or 5 to 6 months of dry seasons followed by interrupting rainy seasons.

ocio-cultural Environment

There are more than 300 tribes in the country. The cohabitation of some farmers and others agriculturalists has been repeatedly problematic for almost a century. Much of the population in the current generation of the DRC has gone through basic education of at least primary school. Solidarity is strong and traditional African worldview is still dominating in the society.

piritual Environment

Catholicism is the largest and oldest religion in the country. Protestant evangelicals are growing much faster these days. Muslims are found mainly in the north and center east of the country. The African cults are still strong in many rural areas. Apart from the evangelical churches, all other religions in the region are not strong against traditional cults.
Christians, both Catholics and Protestants, form 74% of the population; followed by Kimbanguism 13%, Indigenous Traditional Religion 11.5%, and Islam 1.5%.

Political Environment

Congo’s history is characterized by colonial oppression, dictatorship, war, conflict and chaos. However, after 3 years of transitional government, a new government was installed in January 07. Suddenly, the people of Congo are breathing hope like never before. The political system is developing towards federalism through the existing country’s provinces. The government, the Church, and the whole nation are now faced with enormous challenges to rebuild their nation after years of war, poverty and neglect. Traditional powers prevail in most of the areas, since each tribe has its traditional chief under the authority of the state’s administration. New political institutions are set in place, but need to have channels through which they can reach out to grass-root levels and promote change.

Economic Environment

Congo is a real dilemma and contrast considering its enormous economic potentials and the poverty in which its population languishes. A few years back, Congo was referred to as a thirsty antelope dying beside a river with cool waters. The country has very rich soil for vegetation and also contains several minerals such as gold and diamonds, that are traditionally extracted. The rural population lives on agricultural and livestock farming. Many are involved in mineral extraction and commodities trade, but there has been no improvement of practices. Poverty is mainly caused by traditional practices and animistic beliefs, coupled by the conflict environments.

Cooperation and External Investments

There are many international NGOs willing to invest in the Democratic Republic of Congo following more stable peace in the country. The international community is signing various contracts with the national government for its development plans. The question remains whether these multi-national deals will benefit the people of Congo.

Education Sector

Higher education in DRC has failed to fill the gap between the academic knowledge that is imparted in training programs and the real and immediate needs of the population. The education system was copied from the Belgian system, which counts mostly on memorizing intelligence and not contingently “overt” to reflection for the best actions. The strongest in studies are those who succeed in reproducing theories. And in general, the existing national education system has gone further down due to long periods of chaos. There has been an awakening for changes in the educational system through “PADEM”. Policies being formulated by this institution are similar to CI-UCBC approaches, but they are not implemented.

pecific External Environment

Beni is one of 6 territories of the Nord Kivu province. The Beni territory shares a border to the north with the Orientale province; to the west with Lubero territory of Nord Kivu province; to the south Rutshuru territory of Nord Kivu; and to the East, the Bushenyi district of Uganda. It has one of the three major towns of the province, Beni town; others are Butembo and Goma. The population of the town of Beni is approximately 600,000. The town is situated 60 kilometer west of the Ruwenzori Mountains and the border with Uganda. Its major industry is agriculture, followed by timber and mining of a variety of minerals. A number of NGOs and humanitarian organizations exist to provide local humanitarian assistance and relief along with the presence of United Nations (UN) forces called MONUC. Beni played a vital role as city of refuge for displaced peoples from the ethnic war in the Orientale province and rebellions in the south regions of Nord Kivu. The Nord Kivu province, particularly the Beni territory, was the first to join the central government of DRC when the country was torn by different conflicts. Therefore, Beni has remained relatively stable and continues to progress in peace and infrastructure. However, the community continues to lack significant economic growth and educational development.Its geographical location in the east and an easier communication center by air and by road makes Beni the window of DRC towards East Africa and Asia. Usually, people visiting Beni from overseas fly to Entebbe in Uganda, and then for an hour of so to Beni.

Strategic Intent and Objectives

CI-UCBC will operate at its full capacity through 6 centers or programs which have strategic orientation implemented through 10 overall objectives listed below. The holistic nature of CI-UCBC purposely binds the objectives in order to implement the vision, mission, values, and goal of CI. Therefore, it is important to note that certain objectives may cross over fully or partly to certain other centers and in collaboration achieve the objectives of such centers.

UCBC (University)

General Objective #1

To promote excellence in academic training rooted in Christian, transformational and contextual values in order to train true agents of change who will impact the future of DRC; that are:

To train men and women up to the post graduate level in the dynamic “TRIAD” of academics-work-service where there is combination of thought, emotion and action in order to transform the society and the environment of DRC through leadership role modeling;To teach, retrain and equip the academic as well as para-academic teachers and staff as leaders who will model leadership values and skills for the community and society at large.To provide adequate educational and training infrastructures and resources for excellent education and quality services.

Center for CI-UCBC Development and Partnership

General Objective #2

To develop a media and resource production center to educate, inform and sensitize the population in light of the vision of CI-UCBC with the aim of community transformation.

General Objective #3

To undertake income-generating activities for CI-UCBC and provide training and services to our community and to the Congolese society through the implementation of values promoted by CI-UCBC, in order to bring authentic social transformation.

General Objective #4

Build partnership with individuals, churches, organizations or institutions around the world committed to CI-UCBC vision, mission, values, and programs and are willing to actively participate in the support of CI-UCBC and in the transformation of DRC by investing and establishing Kingdom businesses which will also serve as practical knowledge and skill training for students and staff, income generating for CI-UCBC, and model of business for the people of Congo.

Center for Church Renewal and Global Mission

General Objective #5

To prepare the church to respond to today’s challenges by equipping Church leaders and Christians, by reproducing and multiplying transformed agents in churches for restoration and renewal, and by boldly sharing “Congolese Christianity” with others regionally around the world.

General Objective #6

To heal the wounds of conflicts and restore positive relationships in families, communities, and between ethnic groups, in the region of central Africa.

General Objective #7

To teach, retrain and equip servants of God in local, regional, and international churches and Christian communities for the renewal of mission outreach that addresses all aspects of our humanity and embraces wholly the message of the Gospel and character of God.

Center for Professional Development

General Objective #8

To teach, retrain and equip professionals and servants of God in the society for renovation and greater efficiency, avoiding routines in all sectors of life.

Holistic Family Center

General Objective #9

To rehabilitate the family through teachings and practices for the change of mentality leading to re-establishment of the responsibilities of women, men and children in order to promote a holistic development of the family as the core unit of society

Center for the Creative Arts and Vocational Training

General Objective #10

To provide a setting for vocational training so that to promote Congolese art, developing the spirit of perceptual skills in order to meet the needs and the spirit of creativity by initiating activities such as micro-enterprises, sustainable practices, and other technical skills to fight unemployment and passivism.