Successes and Highlights

EduCongo's sponsored school, La Découverte, is located in the rural area of Kisanga, outside Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Led by its founder, Dr. Pierre Radja, La Découverte opened its doors in 2002 to the delight of the entire Kisanga community.

• • Practical vocational skills: In addition to learning basic skills with what’s referred to as the three Rs – reading, writing and arithmetic – our students learn valuable and practical vocational skills which will allow them to be useful to themselves and to their communities. Vocational skills include; sewing, carpentry, knitting, and computer skills.




• • Growth in numbers and quality of education: During the 2002-2003 academic year, we had 198 boys and girls enrolled. After the construction of more classrooms, the training and recruitment of new staff, enrollment for the 2003-2004 academic year more than tripled to an astounding 792 students. Enrollment for the 2004-2005 nearly doubled to 1551 students. Today, the student body is nearing 2,000, we currently provide quality education to 1778 students!!!




• • Morning and Afternoon School: by administering two school sessions in one day, a morning session and one in the afternoon, we are able to help more children without compromising or neglecting the quality of their education.




• • Parent literacy/involvement program: Monthly parent literacy/involvement meetings are another way the school ensures the student has a chance to succeed in the classroom and in his or her community.




• • Leading the way in enrollment for girls: Only 56% of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo are literate compared to 82% for men. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the disparity is also evident in primary school enrollment. Of all school age girls, only 51% are enrolled versus 66% of boys. We have made a conscious effort to increase enrollment of girls who today make up half of our student population.




• • Medical Center: November 2006 saw the completion of a medical facility that will provide access to health care for students, parents, and community members.




• • Lower school fee: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, school is neither compulsory nor free, and as a result, higher school fees have resulted in extremely low enrollment throughout the country. We require a very modest school fee, 1/3 of the average tuition at other schools, to help us sustain our efforts, keep our great team of teachers and staff, and maintain facilities. We also raise funds from donors like you to offer scholarships for those who can’t cover the fee.