Providing higher education to orphans and poor students in Africa
The Pan African Peace University, which will begin in October 2010 in Uvira and Bukavu, South Kivu, DRC, was created to provide accessible university education for all, including orphans and children from poor families, thus opening the chance for them to hold leadership positions and help shape Africa's destiny. With help from in
ternational volunteer teachers and intellectuals from around the world, we will provide quality higher education to those students. The Pan African Peace University strives to be an institution of volunteers training volunteers. To make our innovative approach sustainable, we will ask all the poor children who receive free higher education through PPU to voluntarily teach other poor students free of charge. The Pan African Peace University will also be a unique model of a University of Peace as it will work to build peace through the efforts of those same people who have been victims of wars and crimes, and will strive to bring hope to those who have lost all hope in the future. How the idea started
In 2002, after studying in South Africa, Floribert returned home to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he was shocked by the misery and desolation he saw on every face and by the impoverishment of the people. He began with orphans, in Kiliba. After a quick assessment of needs, he found that education was vital in order to give these children a better and brighter future. He started the organization called Foundation Chirezi in Uvira Territory, which set up a school for orphans and other disadvantaged children called "Farm of Hope School." The school's mission was to provide free quality education to orphans and other needy children in the territory. This was an adventure of "faith" as the Foundation Chirezi did not have any financial support, but their passion and faith in orphans gave them the courage to work towards their vision. They also received support from several men and women of good will who believed in their vision. Eight years later, the school has 615 students in primary and secondary education, with six primary school classes and six secondary school classes. Local authorities in Uvira, as well as the students, admire its work. The PPU continues the efforts of the Farm of Hope School, by offering primary and secondary education to orphans and poor children. The Need
Africa has suffered from multi-faceted crises since independence, suffering often from autocratic governance, poverty, hatred, and much conflict that has created many groups of vulnerable children, including child soldiers, street children and orphans. In 2001, UNICEF reported that in DR Congo, 3.1% of children aged between 0 - 14 years are orphans and 9% are placed in other households where they are often used for domestic work and not educated. In Africa, education is a privilege reserved for only children of wealthy and rich families, as education is far too expensive for children from poor families, especially orphans. Thus orphans and poor students cannot dream of finding a good job or filling senior positions in their country. How you can be involved
The PPU needs volunteers and people of good will to join hands to help. We need people who dream of building a world more just, a world of brothers and sisters, where life is providing equal opportunities to all, even to orphans and poor children. While the PPU will start teaching in October 2010, in the Farm of Hope buildings, many challenges remain before it can become an institution. They include:
* Fundraising
* Building PPU's own premises, built to the standard required by the DRC Government - 25 school rooms ( buildings) used as classrooms and offices.
* Finding local and international volunteer teachers, visitors and local teachers. We hope volunteer teachers will be able to find funding to cover their travel costs and to support their stay with us.
* Finding enough books. The DRC government requires that the library has more than 10,000 books for each department, before it can officially open.
* Laboratories and equipment for practical instruction, sport facilities, medical facilities.
* Office equipment and supplies such as computers, photocopiers, printers, internet, etc. You can find our invitation to you, and information about volunteering at the Pan African Peace University, here:
* An invitation to volunteers
* Travelling to Pan African Peace University
* Living conditions for volunteers at PPU
The Founder
Floribert Kazingufu, who was born in Nyangezi in DRC in 1968, is currently working on his MA in Social and Economic Development at CEPROMEC – CIUD in Bujumbura, Burundi. He serves God as an evangelical pastor on the board of REMAC churches. In 2002, he founded “ Foundation Chirezi” to work on improving the living conditions of local people, especially children and women, and created the school “Farm of Hope” which provides free quality education to orphans and poor children. Floribert is knowledgeable about peace building, conflict transformation, human rights, job creation, education and health care for the poor. You can reach Floribert by email or by telephone at +257 79 970 193. Thank you for your interest and support.
