A translation of the speech given by the children of our murdered colleagues at the memorial service:

"We, the orphans, are profoundly shocked by the selective murders of our gentle, loving parents carried out by Yakutumba on 4th October 2011 in Fizi Territory. They were killed for the cause of education; for our Congolese brothers and sisters, and especially for those living in Fizi, Mwenga and Uvira Territories.

And so the enemies of peace and development have stolen these incredible people from us; people who battled day and night for the well-being and happiness of others.

Dear parents, you have left us too early; we still need so much from you, your presence, your affection, your support and your wisdom. You have left us without saying goodbye, without words that can ease our uncertainness, our fear and our loneliness.

You left too early. Who is going to take over? Who is going to take your place? For you are irreplaceable.

Those of you still here; Eben Ezer, Children in Crisis, NGOs both present and absent as well as civic authorities, we ask you to stay with and support the families left behind in the numerous needs of primary, secondary and university education and even in the employment of the children abandoned with means of paying for themselves.

We ask you to work together to accomplish the community work started by our dear parents who left us so unwillingly. Let the best actions absorb the worst; it is the only way to triumph over evil and to honour our lost parents.

Let the 4th October 2011 be etched in the history of Eben Ezer, unforgettable and commemorated each year by organisations working in the three territories of Fizi, Mwenga and Uvira, in homage to our dear parents, and in remembrance to the families of the deceased fathers.

Let the Congolese state pursue Yakutumba and his allies, no matter where they may hide within Congo’s borders, so that they can be brought to justice and legally and rightfully punished, so as to preserve human dignity and peace for all.

Let evil never destroy us.

Let peace reign in the Congo and in our Territories.

And let the souls of our parents rest in peace for eternity."
 

To read more about the massacre of our colleagues in DRC CLICK HERE>