UCBC

It's been a while, and for that, I partially apologize. I've been in
Beni, Congo and where I'm at, we don't have internet every day like I do
in Goma. It's really exciting being here though and very happy to be a
part of UCBC and what is going on here.

Beni is a city with about a quarter of a million people (rough, rough
estimate not done by me) north of Goma (on the other side of the
equator) and I love it. There are some, very short paved roads in town
and the rest are all dirt and rock roads. Better than the dirt roads in
Goma, but not by much. The improved speed of travel (because the road
is better) makes each pothole you hit (okay, the road is really just a
series of potholes that vary only in size and depth) more significant.
Along with the roads though, I love Beni and I love UCBC.

The Universite Chretienne Bilingue du Congo is a new university started
by David Kasali and his wife and will focus on creating strong leaders
with moral values and a purpose in life. The staff is Christian and
they teach Christian values. They are not exclusive and will accept
anyone who wants to come, but everyone will know that they are
Christians. They take classes not only in English, French, math,
science, etc... but also classes like Congo Realities where they learn
about the Congo and what some of the problems are. David said his
purpose with that class was to get the students angry and upset over
what is happening in the Congo and then to talk about ways to change the
system and fix what is happening. They are just taking exams for their
first term now and this term focused on English, to get the students a
foundation in the English language (almost all of them already know
French) and some basic courses (science and the Congo Realities). Their
dream is to have a university that can have people come from the states
and Europe to teach classes at the university level and their students
will not only understand, but be changed by their time at the university
and stay in Congo and help change the Congo.

They have humble beginnings right now. The Congo Initiative
(www.congoinitiative.org) is the fund raising and logistical
organization in the states, and through them this university is being
built. But it would be very wrong to say that's the whole picture.

Right now there is a "Depot" (a shop or mechanic's place) and one
building on the land. That one building has offices (with no lights or
internet), classrooms (2 finished rooms with tables and chairs enough
for each student only so they carry their chair with them if they have
to switch rooms), a library (with no shelves, books, tables, or chairs
yet), a computer lab (with no computers, tables, or chairs) and
unfinished bathrooms and one other room (unfinished means a dirt floor
yet). They have computers and books coming in a container from the
states. It hasn't left Phoenix yet (yes dad, that is the one we packed
in Wisconsin back in September - they had more stuff that was made
available so they were waiting for that stuff to get there before
sending it off) but when that gets here, there are lots of books and
quite a few computers (I know because I packed them) in there and it
will be the best library in Beni. The idea isn't just to be the best in
Beni, but to be the best possible, to have high standards in a country
where educational standards are dropping and paying people or offering
your body to teachers means good grades.

They have 80-90 students and most of them walk to school. They walk one
to two hours to get to school, and then walk back. Some of the students
approached David and asked if they could stay in some rooms in the
Depot, so there are a couple students staying there instead of walking
every day. They are hoping and praying for a 29 seater bus that would
make two trips to pick everyone up, but it's about 25000 dollars for a
decent one and gas is expensive. The only form of transport available
right now is motos and there is no public taxi or bus system.

A lot of the money for the buildings and things at the university come
from the states, but not all of it. At one time they were stalled in
building because of no money and it was close to being completed. As
the local people realize that the university is really for them and that
incredible things will happen there, they started making small donations
of money and supplies. Stores would donate a bag of cement and people
would volunteer to work. It's a very cool story and I hope someone
documents it for the future students of the university to read and
understand what the school is about.

One last thing. As the university is being built and a bus is being
looked for, the current students decided that next year (or when they
have a bus) the new students will have to walk to school for one month
before being allowed to take advantage of the bus. This "character
building" experience is seen as an integral part of the overall
education by the students who want to share this with their "descendants."