We are so blessed in the West to be from countries that value the education of children. They know and understand that they are the future and we need to invest in them. Here in Congo it is quite different
Because of this we have tried our best to make sure those in our sphere, have the ability to send their kids to school. For a few we have offered to pay for half of their children's school fees and the other half as a debt to be paid off over the year.
"The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) education system is plagued by low coverage and poor quality. 3.5 million children of primary school age are not in school, and of those who do attend, 44 percent start school late, after the age of six. National data indicate that only 67 percent of children who enter first grade will complete sixth grade. Of those who reach 6th grade, only 75 percent will pass the exit exam." 1A huge issue here in Kinshasa is price of education. Many can not afford to send their kids to school or can only send them when they have the money and their education becomes fractured and inconsistent.
- "Public funding for education remains modest 15% in 2012 93% of these expenditures go to wages.
- Households contribute to 3 quarters of education spending, the state 1 quarter, which reveals the crushing weight of education for families.
- Half of the staff of the educational system is not paid 42% in the primary schools, 87% in preschool." 2
Because of this we have tried our best to make sure those in our sphere, have the ability to send their kids to school. For a few we have offered to pay for half of their children's school fees and the other half as a debt to be paid off over the year.
This year because of increasing school fees in Kinshasa, the amount of children our workers have and our own personal finances, we are having a hard time finding even just the upfront capital to give them loans so their kids can go to school.
So I sending out this request to our friends, family and supporters if there is anyone out there that would like to help make sure our workers families have enough money this year to send their kids to school?
If you are interested in helping out please send me a private message or an email and I can let you know in more detail the needs.
Thank you so much!
If you are interested in helping out please send me a private message or an email and I can let you know in more detail the needs.
Thank you so much!
-The Freys on behalf of some very special people
References
1 USAID (April 19, 2017) Education. Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/democratic-republic-congo/education
2 Yoon Jeong (23 DECEMBER 2016) Education in DRC: 20 key figures. Retrieved from http://ponabana.com/20-key-figures-drc-education/?lang=en
References
1 USAID (April 19, 2017) Education. Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/democratic-republic-congo/education
2 Yoon Jeong (23 DECEMBER 2016) Education in DRC: 20 key figures. Retrieved from http://ponabana.com/20-key-figures-drc-education/?lang=en