The Next 500 Future Leaders of Congo

Together we are writing a new story in Congo.

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Alumni Spotlight: Miché Lughembe

Miché Kakule Lughembe studied Biblical Counseling and Psychology in the Theology Faculty at UCBC. He now serves as a pastor at a church in Boikene, a neighborhood near UCBC that has been particularly devastated by frequent militia attacks and kidnappings. As recently as the middle of November, a militia group killed civilians and kidnapped others, sending much of the population fleeing. 

Miché never thought he would be there, serving a community traumatized by war.  Before he came to UCBC, he was working hard at a store in Kisangani, saving up so he could study business.

However, that changed when Miché had a conversation with a mentor who encouraged him to check out UCBC because he believed the university could nurture and encourage Miché in his interests and dreams.

“What inspired me when I visited UCBC was the philosophy “being transformed to transform,” to be transformed to transform the world. The way I was trained at UCBC motivated me, inspired me to go and serve my community so that those who are traumatized can be healed.”

Through UCBC, Miché was equipped as a pastor to serve others compassionately, responding to and accompanying them through their grief and suffering. As Miché explains,

“When I came to UCBC, I didn’t know how to accompany a traumatized person…I have learned that to accompany a person you have to go into his or her skin, understand the pain, and help. Because if we do not understand others’ pain, we will not be able to support or accompany them. And what motivates a person to enter into the pain of the other is love. At UCBC, the life and community demonstrate this love. We share, we accompany each other, staff and students alike. This environment transformed me and made me feel compassion. Life at UCBC helped me experience God’s kingdom.”

It is quite rare for someone as young as Miché to lead a church in Beni. Normally, church leaders appoint pastors who have more experience. In general, they are older. But shaped and trained at UCBC, the leaders saw in Miché someone equipped to lead and accompany a community that has experienced immense suffering and hardship. At first Miché was hesitant, concerned about the reaction of the church members. But he found a situation entirely in contrast to his expectations. He was embraced, encouraged, and supported by the community and its elders.

Miché explains his motivation: “I am here because of my compassion for the people who have lost loved ones. Some have lost parents, brothers, children. Some have abandoned or lost their fields. They have been traumatized and need to be accompanied. I want to help them spiritually and psychologically. I didn’t come here for money; I came here for compassion.”

UCBC equipped Miché through a community that believed through its members, change was possible. One thing that motivates Miché is UCBC’s founding verse: Isaiah 43:18-19. “UCBC has a passage that embodies the vision. Forget what happened, don’t think about past events anymore, here I am, I want to do something new. In the wilderness, I will make a way, and will bring forth waters in the dry places, there are new things coming. It is up to us to start small, where we are, and now. With the Lord, there are new things coming. That’s what I learned at UCBC.”

Alumni Spotlight: Anuarite Kahambu

After graduating from secondary school and succeeding in the state exams, Anuarite Mathe Kahambu, set her sights on the next chapter in her education. However, with two older brothers still completing their studies, her father said she would have to wait a year. As farmers in the small town of Oicha, financially supporting one, let alone two children, was already a challenge.

Though Anuarite was disappointed, she knew her time would come. But she also knew if she could find a good, affordable university nearby, she could continue on her journey and dream to attend university sooner rather than later.

Then, one day she heard on the radio an advertisement for Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo in nearby Beni. She called the number provided and spoke with a UCBC staff member. She was inspired as the staff member explained UCBC’s philosophy – being transformed to transform, the community focus, Women’s Voices, and the desire to help students not only succeed in their studies but provide a space for spiritual formation.

And, thanks to your support of our NEXT 500 campaign, she was able to enroll at UCBC 2015. Throughout her studies, she learned and enjoyed many aspects of UCBC’s transformative education. But one word stood out from her educational experience – humility.

Anuarite explains, “Through UCBC, I learned that someone can receive a diploma but humility is the key to whatever you go on to do. I learned this from UCBC staff. I took this example of humility and incorporate it into my life and work today. I feel very hopeful that one day the vision of UCBC will be accomplished and I pray that God uses me to expand this vision. I want to be a source of blessings to many and to use my knowledge to help all those who are in need of my service.”

Anuarite graduated this past year with a degree in Computer Engineering and is now working as a database manager at EREST (Renewable Energy and Healthy Environment for All) in Beni. She believes that a better future Congo is possible through the next generation of leaders and wants to play a role in the areas of renewable energy and the environment. She recently visited UCBC on International Women’s Day and spoke on the importance of STEM education and women in sciences.

“I dream of a Congo in which youth are actors not observers. I want to be one of these actors and use my knowledge to help those in need.”

Student Stories: Sylvie Lukala

Sylvie Lukala has a message for the people of Congo. Well, really for the world.

“I do not want to see them underestimate women. We need to trust women at school or in different environments they work. I want to say to women and girls never to be underestimated in life, because all people have their potential…their qualities, and are able to do something. If not to say a word, maybe to dance, if it is not to dance, maybe to walk well.”

As the new secretary of Women’s Voices, Lukala is passionate about lifting up women and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. And, she has a dream of her own – to one day start a fashion business that provides employment opportunities for women.

“Fashion is a passion for me. Even from a young age, my parents told me I was too into clothing and dress up too much,” she said with a laugh.

Born in Bukavu, her family arrived in Beni because of her father’s work with the international organization, Oxfam. In her family of 11 (6 sisters and 4 brothers), education was always encouraged and prioritized. Though Lukala is not the first to attend a university, she believes UCBC is different and provides a unique opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve her goals and dreams.

“For my future life I have goals, but before UCBC I did not know how I can make them concrete. But now, I understand that we must not only have dreams, but we must also know how to accomplish them. Once we limit ourselves only to dreaming and not to accomplishing, we risk dreaming forever while not accomplishing anything,” she explained.

Lukala is aware that throughout society in general, but also at other universities, women face an uphill battle when it comes to achieving their dreams. This is why UCBC plays an important role in her life and why the student-led group, Women’s Voices, continues to act as a foundational support.

“Other universities tend to reject a woman’s opinion and underestimate her. You also do not see a lot of women staff or faculty members. But, here at UCBC, this is not the case. UCBC offers a space where women have opportunities to get positions. We can even notice it by seeing women in the offices and in the classroom,” she said.

Sylvie and Adephine Angemito

One of these staff members is UCBC alumna, Adelphine Angemito(13’), now serves as the Human Resource Officer for Congo Initiative. Angemito played a key role in establishing Women’s Voices and continues to mentor student leaders as they continue to promote gender equality. Lukala found her footing through Angemito’s mentorship and the group.

“Mrs. Adelphine Angemito taught us a lot just by the way she carries herself professionally and encourages other women to dream and to go after those dreams. Before being a part of the Women’s Voices group, I did not know that I had leadership qualities in me. Women’s Voices helped me discover who I am, where I belong, and what is possible to achieve as a woman,” Lukala said.

But, Angemito shares her own admiration and appreciation for Lukala.

“Since she arrived at UCBC, she dedicated herself to serving the group and enhancing its communication. She even dreams of starting a Women’s Voices print magazine, radio broadcast, and web presence. She is a great leader who is committed to expanding Women’s Voices presence in the community,” she said.

Following the footsteps of past leaders like Angemito, Lukala finds strength in faith and calls for unity and collaboration when it comes to promoting equality.

“Every woman is called to discover first who she is and what she can do. She can discover her identity in Christ as a model, trusting in herself, and being the one to define her life. For men and women in my family and in the community, I want them to live in unity, and men to accompany and trust women to accomplish something good.”

Alumni Spotlight: Baraka Merdi

Holding a tightly packaged bag of banana powder, Baraka Merdi (’16) stands proudly in front of his Mavuno office. There is only one other organization or institution in Beni that brings the same amount of joy and pride as his current place of employment.

“I discovered myself at UCBC,” he said with a smile. “UCBC encouraged me to become a leader. I know now what I can achieve.”

UCBC was not simply about an education for Baraka. It was an opportunity to discover how he could contribute to the future of his country – a country the world often ignores.  As president of the student body, he helped lead others to reimagine Congo and to think of themselves as future leaders who can “be the change” wherever their journey may take them.

Now Baraka carries the transformational spirit gained from UCBC into his current work with Mavuno, an organization that empowers local farmers and works to end extreme poverty.

As a research and market analyst, Baraka helps local farmers and partners flourish in agribusiness.  

“Our purpose is to end extreme poverty in eastern DRC. We try to link farmers to the market, and we are building businesses around agriculture crops like maize, rice, plantain, and selling at a good price so that farmers may increase their profit from their work,” Baraka explained.

“I am hopeful. I am seeing our clients’ lives improving, especially in rural areas, because we are training them to create their own business. We are trying to bring them out of interdependence to independence. Some of them are succeeding and this gives me hope…I am really encouraged!”

Baraka Merdi studied finance and accounting at UCBC and graduated in 2016. He believes his experience and studies offered something beyond the benefits of securing a job and livelihood.

“I want my family to see we are creating a new generation in Congo and that UCBC taught us about transforming the world.  I want to be part of that big vision and I want my family to be proud of me for being one of the people who will change this country,” he said.

On a practical level, UCBC’s bilingualism and computer training prepared Baraka for his job working with a global organization dependent on crossing language and technology barriers.

“UCBC prepared me to engage globally in the workplace. I currently work not only with Congolese, but with people from other countries and cultures both in and outside of Africa. English helps me to cross language barriers in my professional work, and I cannot spend one day without using a computer. These skills I learned at UCBC.”

One of the greatest lessons he learned at UCBC was to face challenges and to turn them into opportunities. For him, that has meant diligent work, holistic learning, and a new mindset. He believes UCBC foster these values.

Baraka explains, “UCBC is important because Congo needs a new generation who is formed and trained with the new mindset at UCBC. The training there is one of the weapons that this country can use to face all the challenges. There are faculty and students that our country needs. If I can give one message to Congolese youth, it is UCBC is the place to go and learn how to transform the world!”