Hello to St. Anne, St. John and all!!! This story is about a wonderful program based here in Goma. As you know, education is not available for everyone here in Africa and, in reality, for 2/3’s of the worlds population education is not a certainty. I want to introduce you to one of the programs here in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) that carries the name “Collectif Alpha Ujuvi.” They implement and direct the Alphabetization programs throughout the Diocese of Goma, but in fact are a resource for many such programs throughout the North Kivu Province and also some in South Kivu Province. Their program is a multi-pronged approach to intercede with those who have not been able to receive the education they deserve, that all persons deserve. Children, teenagers, and adults come into this program to learn basics of education, health, socialization, and job skills. When possible the children are placed into a regular school system after getting up to speed with their peers, but this is often not the case as many of the children are much older than usual or so poor as to be unable to attend regular school. This program helps on a number of levels, it is able to intercede for youth who can then make there way for full education, it provides skills training so that many can find some kind of skilled work such as sewing, hair care, and cooking. For adults it brings knowledge and skills their children or grandchildren are learning in school, thus a support system for their families and all the benefits that come with knowledge of just the basics in education.
It is wonderful to hear that in fact our own Rugari Parish is one of the first to take on the Alphabetization program for their community. Right now the Alphabetization program we were helping to fund in Nkokwe is not functioning due to the war…but I am wondering if perhaps we can see it begin to function again where they are in Gisiza? I will pursue this thought further with Abbe Louis. For now though I remain in Goma due to a heightened sense of insecurity in the air.
My heart longs to go to Rugari to be with them there, but those responsible for me here do not want to risk it and so I must follow their guide as they want us to succeed here. They are so happy to have us here with them and my heart is so happy to be doing the work here. I have digressed, back to the story of Collectif Alpha Ujuvi.
The Furahini Center here in Goma is just one success story of the programs that Alpha Ujuvi facilitates. The Furahini Center is able to do so much for so many and the teachers, children, and adult students are so committed. Those who study here learn a sense of purpose and ability at the Furahini Center; they have hope for a future. The word “Furahini” means, “to be in joy/happiness.” And so I close this bit of a story to show you the story in pictures and in the words of Sister Deodata who is the Director of Alpha Ujuvi, along with three of the children who attend the Furahini Center…all of them live and work “IN JOY”!!!!
(THIS FIRST LETTER IS FROM SISTER DEODATA BUNZIGIYE WHO HAS ALSO WRITTEN A VERY GOOD BOOK ON CREATING AND DIRECTING ALPHABETIZATION PROGRAMS.)
Collectif Alpha Ujuvi
Presentation on the
“Collectif Alpha Ujuvi”
Opening of the Furahini Center
During a training on alphabetization in April 2001, the centers in charge of the alphabetization decided on the creation of a task force to ensure the follow up of the alphabetization centers. This is how the “Collectif Alpha Ujuvi” was created.
Since then the alphabetization programs have improved dramatically. After Goma and its suburbs, centers inside the Diocese of Goma started operating.
The Rugari Parish was among the first parishes to show interest in this program.
Soon after starting the alphabetization program for the adults, we noticed the young ones and the children showing interests, this gave us the idea of creating other programs for the younger ones and the children. Currently the FURAHINI Center is operating with 160 children from very poor families, orphans, children living on the street, children living with foster families. Some children experienced very traumatizing situations, volcano, war, were the victims of sexual crimes, and some are HIV positive or suffer from AIDS.
Our goal is to have children attend the program and at the same time encourage them to go back to a family life. The FURAHINI Center is not only a school but also provides assistance to the children by giving them a new motivation and a new meaning to their lives.
It is thanks to the NGO Action Aid International that the school was built for the children and the Sisters Ursuline provide food for the children. But the children need a lot, food, clothes, medical care, … please read the attached letters in which three children tell their stories.
We are happy that the children attend the program; we are constantly encouraged by their energy and their motivation.
Sister Deodata BUNZIGIYE
Religious Ursuline
Collectif Alpha Ujuvi (243) 997760256
Diocese of Goma (243) 0808594606
It is wonderful to hear that in fact our own Rugari Parish is one of the first to take on the Alphabetization program for their community. Right now the Alphabetization program we were helping to fund in Nkokwe is not functioning due to the war…but I am wondering if perhaps we can see it begin to function again where they are in Gisiza? I will pursue this thought further with Abbe Louis. For now though I remain in Goma due to a heightened sense of insecurity in the air.
My heart longs to go to Rugari to be with them there, but those responsible for me here do not want to risk it and so I must follow their guide as they want us to succeed here. They are so happy to have us here with them and my heart is so happy to be doing the work here. I have digressed, back to the story of Collectif Alpha Ujuvi.
The Furahini Center here in Goma is just one success story of the programs that Alpha Ujuvi facilitates. The Furahini Center is able to do so much for so many and the teachers, children, and adult students are so committed. Those who study here learn a sense of purpose and ability at the Furahini Center; they have hope for a future. The word “Furahini” means, “to be in joy/happiness.” And so I close this bit of a story to show you the story in pictures and in the words of Sister Deodata who is the Director of Alpha Ujuvi, along with three of the children who attend the Furahini Center…all of them live and work “IN JOY”!!!!
(THIS FIRST LETTER IS FROM SISTER DEODATA BUNZIGIYE WHO HAS ALSO WRITTEN A VERY GOOD BOOK ON CREATING AND DIRECTING ALPHABETIZATION PROGRAMS.)
Collectif Alpha Ujuvi
Presentation on the
“Collectif Alpha Ujuvi”
Opening of the Furahini Center
During a training on alphabetization in April 2001, the centers in charge of the alphabetization decided on the creation of a task force to ensure the follow up of the alphabetization centers. This is how the “Collectif Alpha Ujuvi” was created.
Since then the alphabetization programs have improved dramatically. After Goma and its suburbs, centers inside the Diocese of Goma started operating.
The Rugari Parish was among the first parishes to show interest in this program.
Soon after starting the alphabetization program for the adults, we noticed the young ones and the children showing interests, this gave us the idea of creating other programs for the younger ones and the children. Currently the FURAHINI Center is operating with 160 children from very poor families, orphans, children living on the street, children living with foster families. Some children experienced very traumatizing situations, volcano, war, were the victims of sexual crimes, and some are HIV positive or suffer from AIDS.
Our goal is to have children attend the program and at the same time encourage them to go back to a family life. The FURAHINI Center is not only a school but also provides assistance to the children by giving them a new motivation and a new meaning to their lives.
It is thanks to the NGO Action Aid International that the school was built for the children and the Sisters Ursuline provide food for the children. But the children need a lot, food, clothes, medical care, … please read the attached letters in which three children tell their stories.
We are happy that the children attend the program; we are constantly encouraged by their energy and their motivation.
Sister Deodata BUNZIGIYE
Religious Ursuline
Collectif Alpha Ujuvi (243) 997760256
Diocese of Goma (243) 0808594606
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