Opening of Bibokoboko Primary School

In November 2007 with funding from JP Morgan, work began to rebuild a primary school in a remote rural location of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that had been destroyed by armed forces some six years earlier. As Eraste Rwatangabo, the Programme Manager of CIC’s local partner recalls:

From the very first assessment visit, the need the rebuild Mugorore Primary School in Bibokoboko District was obvious. The old school had been totally destroyed by the armed forces. All that was remaining were the foundations upon which the local community had done their best to rebuild the school, but it was totally inadequate. There were neither desks nor benches for children to sit, and the school frequently had to be closed due to flooding in the wet season.’ 

Despite the obvious need, rebuilding this school in such a remote rural location was going to be a major undertaking, requiring extensive community involvement to make it possible. The school is located high in the mountains. There is no direct vehicle access to the school, meaning all building and construction materials had to be carried up the mountain by villagers on foot.  This equated to a seven and a half hour round trip and is testament to the hard work and tenacity of all those involved who have made endless trips over the past 13-months, each united by a common goal to see the best for their children.

The opening of Bibokoboko Primary School on 17th February 09 was therefore a day of true celebration. Of the many speeches made that day, Esperance, a young women in her mid teens, spoke powerfully about what the new school means to her:

‘This school means everything to me. Look at it! To see a school which has a roof and good foundations; which has desks for us to sit at and books; which shelters us from the rain… is like a dream. When I heard about the plans to build a school here, I didn’t believe it possible. But now it is here, I feel so proud. Without this school, I’d be at home now, caring for my younger brothers and sisters, helping my mother. My parents didn’t want me to go to the old school because it was not a place to learn. This new school has given me a chance to get an education and have a better life. I want to become a nurse, and thanks to this school, for the first time, I think it will be possible for me to achieve this. Ascanti Sana (Thank-you)’

Since its opening, enrollement at Bibokoboko Primary school has increased by 70%. 320 children now attend the morning shift, and a further 90 young people go to the school in the afternoons for their secondary education.

During the summer holidays this August, Bibokoboko Primary School will be the venue for the teacher training programme that Children in Crisis and our local partner EMI are running in conjunction with the school building project. 140 teachers from across Bibokoboko District will attend this 4-week workshop which provides practical training for teachers and resource packs for them to use on return to their schools.

With your support, we could extend this Teacher Training programme to other teachers from across this region, and continue to improve the educational opportunities to aspiring young women like Esperance.