On Monday, July 1, the Assumptionist region of Kinshasa was honored to receive the visit of Lynne BROUILLETTE, a lay Assumptionist from the USA, responsible for the NGO known as « Kids in the Congo ». It was her first visit to the Kinshasa area. She was met at the N’djili international airport by Fathers Michael TSONGO, superior of the house of theology, a number of other Assumptionists stationed in Kinshasa, Zacharie WASUKUNDI who came from Kenya to serve as a translator, and Fabien DIADIA, director of the Emmanuel d’Alzon school complex in Bibwa.

In fact, for some years now, the Assumptionist region of Kinshasa has been collaborating with this lady through the intermediary of Fr. Luc MARTEL, at the time, director of the International Development Office of the Assumptionists, in view of supporting this school complex and its students. That is why she came to get a first-hand view of the realities of this newly built school, situated in the « suburbs » of Kinshasa, where the Assumptionists maintain this institution.

Living at the Assumptionist theologate in Ngaliema (Kinshasa), Lynne was finally able to make her first visit to Bibwa and the school complex on July 6. She was accompanied by Fr. Zacharie and Brothers Godefroid and Joachim as well as two lay AAs, Mrs. Stella KAHAMBU and Mr. Gabin WALINGI. She was given a warm welcome by the director of the school Fr. Fabien, the teachers and the students. The students put on a show of songs of welcome to receive their visitors.

After the welcome, there followed an exhibition of dance routines by the students, short speeches by them, and a small, friendly meal prepared on the occasion by the school. There was an exchange of gifts which Mrs. Brouillette had brought for the children. The party of visitors had to leave by 5 PM to return to the city after this initial warm welcome.

Her second visit took place the following day, Sunday, July. With Fr. Zacharie she visited several homes of the students of the school. She wanted to get know better how they lived. She was thrilled to be able to take some photos with each of the families she visited.

Her third and last visit to Bibwa came on July 11. That day she had ample opportunity to play with the children, from 11 AM to 4 PM. The children of this forgotten corner of Kinshasa had so much fun with her that they didn’t want to let her leave. Before having to take leave from these little children of d’Alzon, Lynne, visibly moved, couldn’t help shedding a few tears.

The candor, the simplicity, and the joy of these little children,almost all of them from families of few means, won over her heart. This emotion, the result of the sadness of separation, was also reflected on the faces of the children who already counted her as one of them. She asked them never to cease praying for her as she promised to do for them.

Undoubtedly, Lynne took advantage of her visit to Kinshasa because, in addition to her visits to Bibwa, she was able to make a number of trips within the city itself. She was able to meet with the regional superior, Fr. François KATALAYI, to discuss some possible projects such as the drilling of water wells in Bibwa as well as the completion of the school complex.

We are extremely grateful for Lynne’s visit to our school and village and the entire Assumptionist region of Kinshasa. We would be happy to welcome her again in upcoming years. We wish to say to her in her native tongue, « You are always welcome back to this school. Travel well. May God bless and protect you always!”

P. Fabien Diadia, a.a.
Directeur du C.S.  E. D'ALZON - Bibwa