Democratic Republic of the Congo

For more than 20 years, the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been torn apart by conflict, sexual violence, corruption, and chaos. It has been dubbed “the worst place in the world to be a woman” and “the deadliest conflict since world war two.” It is mired at the very bottom of most international development indexes.

Since 1996, millions of people in eastern DRC have died and millions more have been displaced because of ongoing violence. Hospitals, schools, and roads have disappeared or have fallen into disrepair. The Congolese constitution guarantees all children a free education; but in eastern DRC, there are school fees. Since the average person earns on average two dollars a day, few can afford the fees, the uniforms, and the supplies. Yet another generation of young people are denied a basic education. With no newspapers or libraries, access to information by young people is impossible. But they are thirsty for it.

Lumumba Children’s Library and Learning Center

The development of a modern, democratic society depends on quality education as well as free, unlimited access to information. The Lumumba Children’s Library and Learning Center (LCL), in the provincial capitol of Goma, will be a beacon of hope and knowledge for young people. The LCL aims to be a grassroots gateway to the basic conditions for lifelong learning habits for the region’s youth. By providing free access to digital reading materials and traditional books, boys and girls will begin to cultivate independent decision-making and critical thinking whether they are in school or not.

For the first time, girls and boys, who otherwise have no access to books or information, will begin to know what it is like to fall in love with learning.  The effect on youth, their families, and Congolese society, will be profound and lasting.

Patrice Lumumba, Our Namesake

Patrice Lumumba was the first ever democratically-elected leader of the DRC. He led the country as prime minister for only a short time, before he was deposed and assassinated. Elected after the DRC won their independence from Belgium, his vision for an educated and politically-active public inspires citizens of the DRC to this day.