CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- In an increasingly global world, Americans are becoming aware of their ties with people in ravaged countries like Sudan-Darfur, Afghanistan or Indonesia (tsunami). Another such nation is the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
People have been stirred to compassion at the bloodshed in the Congo. The war has been one of the bloodiest conflicts since the Second World War, according to UNICEF. Four million people were killed and the school system dismantled, including 'Universite Franco-Americaine de Kinshasa'. Thanks to the UN, the war has ceased, and the Congolese have elected a government.
The immediate goal of Massachusetts' American University of Kinshasa Foundation, 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit, is to bring the classroom to life. The Boston Globe (April 8, 2007) featured an article on 'Bricks and Mortarboard' in the post-war Congo, highlighting the foundation's involvement. "You have a humanitarian imperative and a sense of urgency to assist the distressed Congolese people," the Globe quoted Dimandja Kasongo, President of the university and the foundation's Chairman.
The university has a global vision of educating Africans and international students. "The university, based in the capital city of Kinshasa, would draw Americans and other foreigners who wanted to pursue African studies or learn about tropical medicine," MetroWest Daily News (March 1, 2007) quoted Dimandja who worked as a higher education consultant for Harvard University. The university's vision is to serve as a bridge linking the Congo, the U.S., Canada and the international community.
This vision of exchanges with international universities is worthy of support, to paraphrase Dr. Greg Tucci, Co director of Harvard undergraduate studies, whose department donated lab equipment. The World Bank - UNESCO's Task Force on Higher Education wrote (02/2000), "Universite Franco-Americaine de Kinshasa has pioneered in the Congo a credit-based system that allows students to program their courses around a work schedule." The foundation welcomes donations, tax-deductible, to buy a classroom building, and support faculty and students in desperate need.
Rebuilding the Congo's education system after years of war is an emergency. "Supporting education is one of the best ways to address the causes of conflicts, poverty, and AIDS," said Dimandja, former vice president of the Congo railroads, who holds a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. The university will honor donors and name facilities after contributors. "Bringing the university's classroom to life is an opportunity for the generous public, businesses and philanthropists to make history and build a meaningful bridge to the Congo," Dimandja advised. For information, contact Dimandja:
Tel.: (508) 270-0521; aukuniv@auk-congo.edu; www.auk-congo.edu