Dear Friends,

Early last fall I sent out the first Beni school newsletter in which I gave an initial update of the extraordinary response this project was receiving wherever I spoke about it. I have no doubt that the very generous $50,000 matching gift of Dr. and Mrs. D’Amour contributed significantly to the enthusiasm and ultimately to our success in raising an additional $50,000 and reaching our overall goal of $100,000 much more quickly than I could gave ever imagined possible.

Today I have the great joy of announcing that on Monday, September 5, 2016, Prince of Peace Elementary School opens its doors to some 130 students at nursery and kindergarten level as well as first grade. On page two of this newsletter you will see a series of photos taken on opening day. How many happy faces! How many children affected by the ongoing bloody civil conflict in the Congo able to receive an education and fulfill a dream!

You will notice in the photos that construction work continues, even as school has opened. It was our goal to complete enough classrooms to accommodate the first cohort of students. Even some of these rooms need a coat of paint, but getting these children off the streets and into a wholesome environment, where they are receiving some TLC, was a priority greater than a perfectly appointed classroom.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Kids in the Congo, Inc (KIC) and its director, Lynne Brouillette, for their generosity in covering the tuition fees of these first students and in providing some of the basic supplies you can see in the photos (drawstring backpacks, pencils, erasers, notepads, etc.).

Unfortunately, the civil conflict in the eastern Congo has not subsided. Massacres have continued and refugees continue to flee to safer, urban areas like Beni. The current president, Joseph Kabila, is using numerous ploys to avoid stepping down after his mandatory second-term ends at the end of this year Such maneuvers are causing further political unrest and economic uncertainty.

Once again, many thanks to all of you.

Fr. John Franck, A.A.
Assistant General

September 8, 2016

Br. Valère-Dubois Mbusa

Meet Br. Valère-Dubois Mbusa, the new principal at Prince of Peace Elementary School (PoP)

Born in 1980, Br. Dubois recently completed his seminary studies in the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa, and will be ordained a deacon later this year and hopefully a priest next year. Before entering the Assumptionists Br. Dubois received a teaching degree and taught in elementary and secondary schools. And in 2012 he obtained a master’s degree in education. Born and raised in Beni, he understands the region well and is fully conscious of the challenges facing the young students who have begun their schooling at PoP. He has many years of experience in teaching and school administration and is anxious to oversee the completion of the current building and the expansion of the student body in due time.

He wrote recently, “From my childhood I have wanted to give myself totally to Jesus Christ and his gospel. At PoP I now have a wonderful opportunity to begin realizing that dream. Thank you for your generosity.”

BENI SCHOOL PROJECT - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! - pdf file