30 years of school sponsorship: Neunkirchen supports children in the Congo

30 years of school sponsorship: Neunkirchen supports children in the Congo

Neunkirchen has had a successful school partnership with the École Primaire in Buhesi, in eastern Congo, for three decades. This valuable support began in the 1990s and has since developed into an important project for education and future prospects locally.

In Neunkirchen it is said that education is the key to improving living conditions. Former headmasters like Karl Friedrich Kreutz can still remember the beginnings well. “The children entrusted to us should see that there are children elsewhere who cannot grow up on the sunny side of life like us,” he explains. This attitude motivated teachers and parents to become actively involved in the partnership.

Historical roots of the partnership

The historical roots can be found in the 90s, when Ruth Scholl, one of the founders of the One World Working Group, Dr. Kakule met Molo. This Congolese theologian advocated for children in Buhesi to have access to quality education. The Heller community supported the call, which led to the establishment of the school sponsorship.

In 1994, thanks to the income from school festivals, a remarkable sum of 9,250 DM was collected, which was used to build the first classrooms. “That's how it all began,” says Dorothee Schumann, a former primary school teacher, describing the beginning of the project, which is now being continued with the Copernicus School in Neunkirchen.

The situation in Buhesi is characterized by frequent unrest, with armed groups fighting for control. Despite these challenges, the partnership has been able to grow steadily over the years. During the first school years, around 150 students attended the École Primaire, now there are over 1,000. The financial support from Neunkirchen continuously flows into the school and enables the construction of important facilities such as Internet cafés and a tailor's shop.

Positive developments through project work

The school in Buhesi has expanded to include many building blocks, including a toilet facility and a trauma clinic. The initiative clearly shows how minimal financial input can lead to remarkable progress, and the partners in Neunkirchen are always informed about the progress on site. Steffi Schreiber, lead teacher at the Neunkirchen primary school, is thrilled: “It’s amazing how much the local people achieve with so little support.”

An essential element of cooperation is paying teachers, as state institutions are often unreliable. “The money gets there one-to-one,” assures the teacher. Given the political instability in the region, this is crucial for educational offerings.

The 30-year project is more than just a school program; it offers a future for many young people in Buhesi. The impact is clearly noticeable as many students have had the opportunity to attend secondary schools and even successfully complete universities. Dr. Kakule Molo highlights that the support represents a deep sign of solidarity with the people of Buhesi, who are suffering from political instability.

In the future, Buhesi could possibly become Neunkirchen's third partner community, which would strengthen an even deeper connection between the two regions. Given the ongoing challenges and the need for international solidarity, maintaining this school remains an important concern for schools in Neunkirchen.

For more information about this exciting partnership and its inspiring achievements, readers can visit the coverage www.siegener-zeitung.de visit.