It has been said quite often that the Assumptionists in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) haven’t yet spoken their last word. It is this optimism coupled with many efforts and much sacrifice for the Kingdom of God that can be seen crowned with the the Emmanuel d’Alzon school complex situated on the outskirts of Kinshasa, in N’sele commune, in the township of Mangengenge / Bibwa.

Just a little bit of background….It’s been thirty years since the Assumptionists settled in Kinshasa. From the time of their arrival in 1988, the Assumptionists first dedicated themselves to vocation ministry and to the formation of future priests by building a house of theology. Shortly thereafter, they assumed responsibility for the supervision of a parish, Divin Maître à Masina sans-fil, for the evangelization of the People of God.

During this entire time, the Assumption remained almost completely absent from the area of teaching, which, however, forms the backbone of the social dimension of its charism, specifically the education of the young. Besides, no one can be unaware of the fact that the Assumption was born in an educational institution, the splendid Collège de l’Assomption.

Throughout his entire life, the Venerable Emmanuel d’Alzon considered the education of youth his signature cause in addressing indifference and ignorance. In his words, « Education remains in our eyes the best way to prepare, in the world, in the clergy and in religious life, an elite totally dedicated to the key issues of the Church. » (E. S. p. 235).

This spirit of the Founder continues wherever the Assumption goes. In our day, this same spirit has taken flesh in the Assumptionist Region of Kinshasa with the birth of the Emmanuel d’Alzon school complex. Actually, it is a work in progress, first opening its doors on September 3, 2018. It is located in a building with two classrooms. The first two classes (Grades 1 and 2) take place in the morning and the other two (Grades 3 and 4) in the afternoon. The school has been placed under the responsibility of Br. Marcel KABAMBA, in collaboration with Fr. Fabien DIADIA.

At the beginning of the school-year, 74 students enrolled. Two weeks later, the number dropped; 13 students had to leave because their parents could not afford tuition costs, 35,000 Congolese francs per trimester, that is to say, between $21 and $22 American dollars.

It should be noted that the school is located in a Kinshasa suburb that is a farming community. Families live on less than a dollar a day. Also, very few of the parents have attended school themselves; they prefer having their children work in the fields than go to school. In spite of this sad reality, the following words of Fr. d’Alzon give us the courage to forge ahead: « Difficulties and set-backs must never drive us to despair. Think of what Our Lord had to endure from the uncouthness, the material mindedness and the sheer stupidity of those he had specially chosen? » (E.S. p. 239).

In short, we believe in the future of this new Assumptionist work planted in Kinshasa’s soil in spite of the financial difficulties of the majority of the parents. We would like to express our gratitude to the authorities of the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption and those of the Province of Africa for the special attention they have paid to the Kinshasa Region. At the same time, we wish to acknowledge the assistance, goodwill and generosity of our benefactors and friends who have contributed their stone to the building of this new academic establishment, one more effort on our part to hasten the Kingdom of God in us and around us.

Fr. Fabien DIADIA, A.A.

(This article first appeared in the newsletter of the Assumptionists in the Kinshasa Region)