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CONSTRUCTIONS OF RETAINING WALL AT SCHOOL
NEW SCHOOL YEAR : 2026-2027, MARKED BY PROGRESS AND HOPE
As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, Groupe Scolaire SAINT-LUC/MULWA is pleased to continue its commitment to providing quality education. Thanks to the efforts made in recent years to improve our school infrastructure, strengthen learning conditions, and promote quality teaching, we have seen an encouraging increase in student enrolment this year. This growth reflects the renewed confidence of parents and the wider community in our institution, as well as the importance of the investments made to provide children with a more suitable environment for learning, growth, and personal development.
However, this progress is taking place in a particularly challenging context. The ongoing war and insecurity in eastern DRC continue to affect families, disrupt the education of many children, and significantly increase the needs of our communities. Despite these challenges, our institution remains committed to keeping its doors open and providing children with a safe, dignified, and supportive learning environment that can help build a better future. In order to continue fulfilling our mission and respond to growing needs, increased support is now essential—particularly to further improve our infrastructure, strengthen educational resources and equipment, support children from vulnerable families, and maintain the quality of education we provide.
Every contribution, regardless of its size or form, can make a meaningful difference in keeping children in school and giving them opportunities for a better future despite the impact of conflict. We invite our current partners to continue standing with us and welcome new donors and partners who wish to join this effort. Together, we can help ensure that, even in the midst of crisis, education remains a place of hope, protection, opportunity, and a foundation for the future.
OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR AT THE GS SAINT-LUC/CIRIRI
Due to the quality of education, good infrastructure and serving porridge at our school, we have seen a significate increase of students bringing our total to more than 700 students this school year. We thank everyone involved to make this happen. We will continue praying for peace so that we can keep our organisation running as planned!
MULTIPURPOSE HALL CONTSRUCTION UNDERWAY
The HANDS-DRC national coordinator visited the Saint-Luc School to monitor the construction work on the multipurpose hall currently under construction. This visit was crucial in ensuring compliance with deadlines, budgets, and quality standards, while also preventing problems and optimizing project management.
Furthermore, it enabled verification that work was progressing according to schedule, avoiding delays and better allocating human, material, and financial resources, thus improving construction site efficiency.
It also enabled the rapid detection and correction of errors and defects, thus avoiding more serious and costly problems in the long term. It also enabled rapid response to unforeseen events and the necessary corrective measures to avoid major disruptions.
Opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 school year at the Saint-Luc School Group
To mark the beginning of a new cycle, create a positive atmosphere, and strengthen ties within our educational community, GS Saint-Luc, a ceremony was organized with the following objectives :
– Bring together all the school’s stakeholders (students, teachers, partners, administrative staff) in a festive and friendly setting, thus encouraging exchanges and encounters.
– Mark the beginning of a new phase
– Foster engagement and motivation: by creating a positive atmosphere and valuing students, the ceremony helps boost their motivation and their desire to fully invest in their education.
– Strengthen the relationship between the school and its internal and external partners:
– Reiterate the school’s core values and ingrain them in the minds of new and returning students
– Introduce key events of the year: such as the construction of the multipurpose room, the announcement of planned extracurricular activities, and other projects
VISIT AND DONATION OF VARIOUS BOOKS TO THE GS SAINT-LUC/CIRIRI
« Whether it offers novels, albums, comics, manga or documentary resources, the school library is a place that brings together a multitude of possibilities to promote access to and the development of students’ knowledge and skills. » writes Marie Versele
This is why the Bukavu for Bukavu Organization visited our school at the end of April (April 28, 2025) accompanied by the HANDS-DRC team. Let us emphasize a little more, the importance of having a school library. Donating a variety of books to children in a school offers numerous educational, cultural, and social benefits. Here are the main reasons :
- Improved Access to Education
In several areas, access to learning resources is often limited. Providing books helps children to develop their reading skills, expand their vocabulary, enhance their understanding of the world.
- Reducing Inequality
Children in several regions do not have the same opportunities as those in urban settings. A book donation helps to level the educational playing field, provide the same tools available to others elsewhere.
- Stimulating Curiosity and Imagination
A variety of books (stories, nonfiction, fairy tales, comics, etc.) fosters children’s imagination, their openness to the world, their ability to dream and create.
- Encouraging Independent Reading
Reading becomes a fun and regular activity. This can help build positive habits early on, improve academic performance over time.
- Strengthening Language Skills (Local or National)
Books also help children master the language of instruction, which supports all areas of learning.
- Positive Impact on the Community
A book donation can encourage teachers to use diverse teaching methods, motivate parents to value education, create a small reading center accessible to all.
Delighted to receive such a meaningful gift, the pupils extended their heartfelt thanks to both organizations Bukavu for Bukavu (B for B) and HANDS-RDC—for their valuable contribution to their education.
In a spirit of hope and resilience, they also issued a collective appeal to all individuals and partners of goodwill who may be in a position to support their journey through the provision of school supplies, assistance with tuition fees, or improvements to school infrastructure.
“Many of us have lost our parents. Many cannot afford a school uniform. And many children in the surrounding neighborhoods are still unable to attend school.” declared one pupil.
This testimony reflects the pressing needs faced by children in underserved areas and underscores the importance of continued solidarity and investment in their future.
VISIT OF THE OSOMIP CONGO ORPHANAGE BY THE KINSHASA COORDINATION
A visit was organized by the Kinshasa Coordination to the ASOMIP CONGO( Association for the support of orphaned children, soldiers and police officers in the Congo).
The main objective of this activity was to bring a smile back to each of these children who are too often pushed aside by the society. On this occasion, food was donated to ASOMIP CONGO as a symbol of lasting freindship between HANDS-DRC and these children.
CONSTRUCTION WORK OF THE POLYVALENT HALL
INTRODUCING COMPUTER SCIENCE INTO THE WORKPLACE AT OUR SCHOOL IN CIRIRI
Computer science helps students develop logical thinking, critical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. It prepares them for the job market, raises awareness about cybersecurity, and can inspire future careers in science and technology. It also brings a fun and engaging dimension to learning.
For teachers, it offers the opportunity to introduce innovative teaching methods, diversify classroom activities, and promote cross-disciplinary learning. It enriches their teaching practice and highlights their skills in a rapidly evolving field.
With the aim of strengthening the capacities of teachers of the Saint Luc school group in the use of new technology tools – particularly computers; A six-day training session was organized on the school grounds.
This training contains 3 modules including : General information on computing, the Windows operating system, and the programs of the office, Ms Word and Ms Excel were developed
Due to electrical power shortage, a generator has now been installed at school, it will also help classes and all work that require power to carry on during power outages.
INNOGURATION OF NEW CLASSROOMS CEREMONIES
Our latest statistics show that in 2023 we had an enrollment of 350 students; However, even before it is finished, the number continues to increase since it has been estimated at 435 students registered.
It was on this occasion that a ceremony was organized to inaugurate the two new classrooms in order to improve the learning conditions of our students in this month of November.
DECEMBER 2024 LAST FUNDRAISING
VISIT OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF HANDS DR CONGO TO NAIROBI-KENYA
With the aim of strengthening our ties with other nations, the national coordinator of HANDS DRC, Mr. Consolat BARAKA M. carried out a philanthropic visit to Nairobi, among an indigenous people, the MASAÎ.
During his visit, he was to seek to create partnership relations with a local organization, on the occasion, he got to know the cultures, the ways of being of the indigenous Masai people as well as their way of collaborating with other local peoples , In the sense of strengthening the links of the HANDS organization with other nations.
During discussions, there were promises of future collaboration between HANDS and this new friendly nation. Since ; what other proof of friendship and love towards another nation than sharing projects together to progress together?
OCTOBER 2024 FUNDRAISING
A fundraiser was organized at Hands Canada on 09/14/2024. This fundraising objective was to find funds to improve the learning conditions of our students by supporting the activities of Hands DRC on the national territory.
