As a US-based nonprofit, Education Congo provides tuition scholarships and other aid directly to two leading universities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Board members make frequent trips to Congo, maintaining direct communication and transparent relationships with Université Protestante au Congo in Kinshasa and Université Evangélique in war-torn Eastern Congo, where Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Denis Mukwege is a professor at the Medical School. Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) Located in Congo's capital Kinshasa UPC tuition shortfall fundraiser a success Over the past 66 years Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) has grown from three students to more than 9,000 students and five schools—Economics, Medicine, Law, Computer Science and Theology. It is ranked 4th of the over 48 universities accredited by the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Higher and University Education. Though founded as a Protestant university, UPC is home to students from diverse backgrounds. The university has endured civil war, famine and collapsing economies, forcing multiple relocations—but it endures, and UPC is producing leaders to build a nation. Women represent more than half of the student population at UPC. In the past two decades, female students have risen from around 25% to 56% of the student body at UPC. The inclusion of women is critical to the economic growth and sustainability of a society. In 2023, one of UPC’s graduates, Dr. Fatuma Ngongo Kilongo, was named the first female rector (president) of Université Evangélique en Afrique, the university Education Congo supports in Eastern Congo! Credit: Mary Sanichas September 2025: The rector of Université Protestante au Congo, Prof. Robert N'Kwim in Philadelphia attending Education Congo's annual board meeting. In this video he talks about the women students and graduates of UPC. November 2025: UPC celebrates its 66th anniversary. This commemorative T-shirt displays UPC's motto "An education that builds a nation." “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it, possibly without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” —Maya Angelou UPC medical school intern at a remote teaching hospital. Read about our drive to Kisantu and meeting UPC's first interns at St. Luc's Hospital. A graduate of Université Protestante au Congo, Dr. Fatuma Ngongo Kilongo, is the first woman rector of Université Evangélique en Afrique. Université Evangélique en Afrique (UEA) Located in Bukavu, a conflict zone in Eastern Congo 3/12/2025: classes at UEA have resumed following the takeover of Bukavu by M23. Click to see video from Voice of Africa. Université Evangélique en Afrique (UEA) offers degrees in Agronomy & Environment, Medicine & Community Health, Economic Science & Business Administration, Social Sciences and Theology. UEA is ranked 5th of 48 universities accredited by the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Higher and University Education. UEA's collaborations with both local and international partners enhance its comprehensive education and contemporary approach to scientific research. UEA's medical school interns train at Panzi Hospital, also in Bukavu. “Dear Congolese compatriots, let us have the courage to take our destiny in our own hands. Let us build peace, build our country’s future, and together build a better future for Africa. No one else will do it for us." —from Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech by Dr. Denis Mukwege Université Evangélique en Afrique’s medical faculty includes Dr. Denis Mukwege, author of The Power of Women . He is the founder of Panzi Hospital and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2018 and 2024 recipient of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity. His work with rape and sexual violence victims in Eastern Congo has led to a worldwide outcry against conflict-related atrocities against women. In 2024 Ukraine sent a delegation to Panzi Hospital to learn how to help survivors of the sexual violence being used as a tool of war in their country. 3 ways to donate Blogs

Donate directly to scholarships, to "where needed most" or to a fund that pays proceeds annually to support Education Congo's work. 3 ways to donate Education Congo's Gift Acceptance Policy and financial statements 1. Tuition scholarships at Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) in the capital Kinshasa and Université Evangélique en Afrique (UEA)—still fully functioning in war-torn Eastern Congo. Tuition costs only $800 to $1,200 per student per year. Over 93% of the aid we provide goes to scholarships. Click to donate to tuition scholarships Credit: Mary Sanichas Scholarship recipient Merveille Bunangana Bokumo , 4th-year medical student 2. "Where needed most" provides Education Congo the most flexibility. Includes additional support for Congolese medical schools and other projects as well as our essential operating expenses. Click to donate to "where needed most " Credit: Mary Sanichas Medical school intern at remote teaching hospital in Kisantu 3. Add to an existing named fund —a lasting way to provide scholarships and other assistance to the universities we support. Once each fund reaches $25,000, its earnings flow directly into scholarships or other support year after year. Donate to an existing named fund or ask us about starting your own named fund. Click to donate to an existing named fund Credit: Mary Sanichas Scholarship recipient Michael Ebongya Bayenge , 4th-year computer science student Home About us Blogs

Established in 1998 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Education Congo provides scholarships and institutional support directly to two Congolese universities. The organization's board members have strong ties to DRC Congo, many having grown up or worked there. Representatives travel frequently to Congo, strengthening the partnerships with the universities Education Congo supports. Vision “Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then and only then, hope will come.” —Greta Thunburg Education Congo is committed to a simple vision of a stronger and more stable Congo—one that will be accomplished through strengthening higher education within Congo. The people of Congo face so many challenges—but solutions cannot be imposed from the outside. Solutions must come from within. Education Congo partners directl y with two leading Congolese universities to educate more citizens and future leaders to build a stronger, peaceful, more equitable Congo. Higher education is at the heart of ethical governance, peace, justice and opportunity. Renewed resolve in the face of adversity In a crisis people bring forth their best and most heroic qualities. Pilots use extraordinary skills and focus to land disabled airplanes. Passengers pull together to remain calm and help each other. In the best ways they can, people rise to the occasion to contribute their skills and to work together. Congo has experienced decades of violent instability in the eastern part of the country, and recent events bring new cause for concern. In response to the ongoing crisis, and even in the face of the most horrific news, the role of highly educated Congolese is more crucial than ever. The most impactful way Education Congo can contribute is to continue the vital work of building capacity in Congo through higher education—to help the Congolese to gain the skills needed to "pilot" their country in crisis and to build sustainable stability. Education Congo is uniquely positioned with the established pipeline needed to accomplish this important work. This is where we can be most impactful. We remain even more committed in our resolve. Congo-linked board “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” —Jane Goodall With broad international experience and diverse skillsets, Education Congo's board members work together as a 100% volunteer team. Many have direct ties to Congo, having grown up or worked there. Congo travel blog “Education Congo understands that its partner universities are sovereign entities, with their own history and purpose, defining their own trajectory of development. Together we engage in a collaborative approach to complex and dynamic issues based on mutually defined expectations and goals.” —Bruno Baerg, Education Congo Board VP Uniquely positioned board of directors Education Congo board members make frequent trips to Congo, strengthening the partnership between Education Congo and our partner universities. Because of these strong connections, Education Congo has been able to establish and maintain direct communication and transparent relationships with two Congolese universities. Council of advisors Alden Almquist Eva Bowers Shay, DO Brad Bryant, JD, MBA Cynthia Decker, PhD Paul N. Harewood Carol A. Heimer, PhD Amini Kajunju Louis T. Kanda, MD Juliet Lev Elsie McKee, PhD Ernie E. Ross Jimmy Shafe Larry Sthreshley, PhD Julie Neitz Wielga Anne H. Zolnor Board members Bruno W. Baerg Brian Bobb, MD Heather Bobb, DDS Doug Cardwell, PhD Ronny R. Farmer, CPA Steven Gustafson, DO Laura Hobgood, PhD Ajanta Jain Linda James Mimi Kanda, MD Phil Kliewer Margaret J. Loewen, MD Noah McMillan, PhD Beth Naegele, DMus Mary Sanichas Paul A. Williams, PhD Established nonprofit with consistent track record Incorporated in 1998 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Education Congo consists of a team of professionals with wide ranging backgrounds, from healthcare and education to finance and marketing. Shown above: the board members who participated in the meetings online, Margaret Loewen in her dress from Université Protestante au Congo and Jimmy Shafe in his "Share Love, That's all!" T-shirt In October 2026, our board meeting was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the wake of DR Congo's historic participation in the World Cup soccer games, we posed with Congolese flags and beachball-soccer balls. We shared very productive meetings and all commented on the magical points of collaboration that occur when we are all in the same place—and left inspired and reinvigorated! News updates & archives Receive the latest Education Congo updates by email Reports on our travels to Congo Updates from our partner universities Featured students, donors or board members Fundraising campaigns and results Sign up for Education Congo News June 2024 in Kimpese, Congo: Mary Sanichas and Margaret Loewen caught up in an exuberant selfie moment with medical school interns from Université Protestante au Congo. Read the story of their visit with interns at another remote teaching hospital on the road to Kimpese. NEWS ARCHIVES in pdf format April 2024 September 2023 February 2023 September 2022 March 2022 November 2021 May 2018 November 2017 Documents & Financials Credit: Mary Sanichas Nashville 2023: Paul Harewood and Ernie Ross linking up board members unable to attend annual board meeting in person. The North American Liaison Bureau (dba Education Congo) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Click for Education Congo's financial statements, Gift Acceptance Policy and other documents. Education Congo has a Gold Transparency 2024 rating by Candid. (GuideStar combined with Foundation Center to become Candid to provide information about nonprofit organizations that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions and encourages charitable giving so you can create change.) 3 ways to donate About our named funds

3rd ANNUAL TUITION SHORTFALL FUNDRAISER for our partner university UEA in occupied Eastern Congo Donate to cover tuition shortfalls for Eastern Congo's future doctors, peacemakers and other vital professionals. Many UEA students and their families have struggled but are unable to pay the outstanding balance owed on tuition—which only costs about $1,000/year . For a fraction of the cost of tuition, you can keep these future leaders on track to graduate. Campaign goal by 12/31/26 $20,000 Donate now Secure payment processing In 2025 we raised $20,730 and covered 41 tuition shortfalls at UEA In 2024 we raised $20,000 and covered 60 tuition shortfalls at UEA We also raise funds for shortfalls at UPC/Kinshasa. Against all odds—and in a conflict zone—UEA students are demonstrating extraordinary commitment and resilience. How UEA selects the beneficiaries of Education Congo's tuition shortfall project "The students are first identified and recommended by the deans of the different departments. The selection is based on several criteria, including academic seriousness, level of vulnerability and the amount of debt owed to the university. Afterward, a committee composed of three members carefully reviews the different cases, beginning with students who owe smaller amounts to the university. According to the available funding and the number of potential beneficiaries, we determine the level of support to be provided and then contact the students whose situations meet the selection criteria." —Majoie Ngongo Kilongo, Rector of UEA

Building a stronger Congo through higher education. Privacy Policy Education Congo will not sell, rent, lease, give or lend mailing lists to other organizations. Education Congo ensures that the identity of all who contact us through its website or make a financial contribution to us will be kept confidential within the framework of what is required by US law for non-profit reporting & for accountability. The use of your personal information will be limited to the internal purposes of Education Congo and used solely to further the purposes of Education Congo as described in our Privacy Policy. Our complete privacy policy is given below. The following links will take you directly to the section addressing the topic. 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Education Congo is a nonprofit that provides scholarships and other support directly to two leading universities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Why donate to education in DRC Congo? Because building a stronger and more politically stable Congo is vitally important not just to the Congolese—but to all of us on the planet. UPC tuition shortfall fundraiser a success Education Congo is a nonprofit that provides full tuition and tuition shortfall scholarships directly to two leading universities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn how supporting higher education in Congo benefits all of us. Your donation goes further in Congo Growing number of women in computer science It is dramatically less expensive to educate Congolese students in their own country than abroad! Tuition only about $1,000/year in DR Congo But with 80% of Congolese people earning much less than that amount per year, the cost of higher education is actually quite prohibitive. Yet higher education is what is most needed to produce more teachers, more engineers, more business people, more scientists, more doctors, more lawyers, more computer science professionals… The key to retaining talent in Congo When students stay in Congo for their education, chances are greater that graduates will stay to contribute to strengthening their own country—rather than exporting their expertise to other countries. Global benefits Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Why support higher education in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Because building a stronger and more politically stable Congo is vitally important not just to the Congolese—but to all of us on the planet. Congo matters! “Pull a thread here and you’ll find it’s attached to the rest of the world.” —Nadeem Aslam, author We are all connected Congo is environmentally important to the entire world. It contains most of the 2nd largest rainforest on Earth and most of the largest peatland . Peatlands are massive carbon sinks and mitigate climate change. 70% of cobalt located in Congo, 60% of coltan Democratic Republic of Congo’s minerals are essential to the technologies the world now depends on—from your mobile phone to the capacitors used in electronic devices. Even more critically, our transition to renewable energy depends on the stability and the wellbeing of the country containing the world’s richest mineral deposits. Opening doors to Congolese students who will serve in the leadership of their nation “Education is so hard to come by for most Congolese—yet what they most need in order to manage the dynamics of international demand for their resources.” —Phil Kliewer, Executive Director of Education Congo Newly graduated doctor from Université Protestante au Congo whom we met as an intern in Kisantu in 2024 Personal stories Studies show that higher education in economically developing countries has exponential benefits. These include increasing political stability, boosting the economy, advancing gender equality, reducing poverty, violence and child labor, and helping the environment. About us 3 ways to donate What our supporters are saying Barbara Kingsolver, author of The Poisonwood Bible and Demon Copperhead “Young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo have the weight of history stacked against them as they look for a path to education, autonomy and the chance to serve their communities. And yet, no young people have impressed me more than the Congolese students I’ve met in my visits there. Given an inch of opportunity, they will take a mile and bring along their peers and families…” John B. Franz, PhD, author of Congo Shadows “Supporting Education Congo is gifting individuals, families and a country with a brighter future. Why? Because education is transformative. Graduates have opportunities to earn, contribute and build a life that their peers lacking a degree simply have not. I have personally witnessed this truth over a lifetime of university teaching. Based on my experiences, including four years of living in the Congo, I believe this is doubly true for the Congolese.” Faith Eidse, author of Deeper than African Soil “Growing up in a Congo village taught me that survival is hard work…. Yet the men would give up their guns and the women their field hoes to learn to read and write. Today my childhood playmates are leading literacy classes with standing room only. Many of their children and grandchildren have gone on to college and university, graduating and leading the nation in engineering, technology, medicine, administration, education and theology.”

Leave us feedback or write us a note. We'd love to hear from you. Feedback & contact form Blog categories or stories of interest to me Personal stories Congo travel blog Named fund news Stories about women students Interviews with professors Following up on graduates More photos & video My focus is on supplementing tuition for Congolese students… Studying medicine Studying law Studying economics Studying agriculture Studying computer science Studying theology Who are women My connection to Congo… My overall assessment of Education Congo's website Comments, messages or feedback I am interested in learning more. Please contact me about… Speakers available in my area Named funds or legacy giving options Corporate giving options Other First name Last name Email* We look forward to hearing from you. Submit

DONATE to supplement tuition shortfalls for Congolese students in war-torn Eastern Congo, who will otherwise have to pause or abandon their studies due to lack of funds. $20,845 raised! Thanks to your generosity, 48 UPC students are on track to graduate as future doctors and other professionals vital to the future of DR Congo.. Thank you! 2026 ANNUAL tuition shortfall fundraiser for UPC students a success! The average amount needed to keep each recipient enrolled was $434, less than half the cost of annual tuition. The lowest amount needed was only $150. Given the re-emergence of Ebola and the dire need for Congolese doctors, the majority of these funds were allocated to medical students. The remainder of the tuition shortfall scholarships were divided between students in Economics, Law, Computer Science and Theology. {translated from French} "Thank you to all the team at Education Congo… these students who have passed through our office are all expressing their gratitude from the bottom of their hearts." —Jolie Mbelembe Liolia, UPC Madame Jolie in 2024 We have now successfully accomplished this fundraiser for the 2nd year in a row both for UPC and for UEA. We will continue to stagger these two tuition shortfall fundraisers, with UPC/Kinshasa at midyear and UEA/Bukavu at year-end. $20,730 raised! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to cover the remaining balance due on tuition for 41 students at Université Evangélique en Afrique. Thank you all! 2025 ANNUAL year-end fundraiser to supplement tuition shortfalls a success ! How UEA selects the beneficiaries of Education Congo's tuition completion project "The students are first identified and recommended by the deans of the different departments. The selection is based on several criteria, including academic seriousness, level of vulnerability and the amount of debt owed to the university. Afterward, a committee composed of three members carefully reviews the different cases, beginning with students who owe smaller amounts to the university. According to the available funding and the number of potential beneficiaries, we determine the level of support to be provided and then contact the students whose situations meet the selection criteria." —Majoie Ngongo Kilongo, Rector of UEA $20,900 raised! By contributing more than our original goal of $20,000, generous donors have covered the remaining balance due on tuition for more than 40 students at Université Protestante au Congo. Thank you, thank you, thank you all! 2025 ANNUAL tuition-shortfall fundraiser a success! "Thanks to your support, students who have already demonstrated persistence at the university level, and have already paid a significant portion of their own tuition, can now continue their studies. These students will soon be helping to build a stronger Congo." —Brad Bryant, Development Committee Co-Chair $20,000 goal reached! In the week after Christmas 2024 we launched a campaign to raise $20,000 to help 60 UEA students finish paying their tuition for the term. On January 25th, we were still $3,100 short of our goal when a generous donor came forward to fill the gap. She did this in memory of her daughter. Now, all 60 students are covered! Thank you, thank you, thank you all! 2024 year-end tuition-shortfall fundraiser a success! Tuition supplemented for students at Université Evangélique en Afrique (UEA)—in the challenging environment of Eastern Congo Every year at UEA many students who finish their final projects and have studied diligently are blocked from continuing their studies simply because they cannot pay the remaining balance on tuition due at the end of the year. Relatively small tuition shortfalls per student Last year students lacked as little as $300. "This money we raised to top off tuitions—it was one of the most amazing and timely gifts we could have come up with. They [UEA] really felt our partnership and verbalized their thanks emphatically." —Margaret Loewen, President of Board of Directors

Our current thank you card, featuring a UPC medical student Read the story of how we met her Please click on your favorites 1 2 3 4 Please select one Long answer Use this space to provide an explanation for your choice First name SUBMIT Which would you like us to print up as an additional thank you card? Artwork is by Congolese artists 1 2 3 4