Cilongu Foundation - Newsletter November 2018

French Conversation on the go

Thanks to volunteers and donors  partnership the team at Cilongu Foundation (CF) has been able to keep up the  cultural program active in Blaine, Minnesota. It can also maintain efforts for  helping students of some rural areas or suburbs in Africa.

In 2017,  French language speaking friends met at various settings of Blaine, places  like the Johnsville Library, Carol Restaurant and the Lake Commons Park to engage in a complete conversation in French. The events provided an opportunity for exchanging cultural experiences, refreshing  French language skills, especially for those who learned French several years ago but not having chance to speak French.                   

Appealing testimonies Clément and Michael who both came from France to work in Minneapolis found out they were born in the same hospital in Nice, France. Since then, they mutilplied visits and strenghtened their relationship with their families and the French conversation team.  I saw your flier about the French speaking get-together at Cub Foods, says JH, and came to attend the event. I would love to meet other French speakers in the area. I am a native Minnesotan with relatives who came to the US from France in the 1840s. I have been working on learning the language for the past 8 years or so. I speak French and manage to get along when we travel to France each year. Hopefully, that will be acceptable to the group today. JH attended the meeting with with two other US citizens who worked in Africa years before and expressed their excitement too.

Pictures 1.2 and 3 Kids introducing themselves. Various food like East African samoussa, Ouest African couscous, French quiche, Minnesotan vegetables and fruits. Adults and kids members of the French conversation group.

Aksanti sana from Kenya

Aksanti sana are the Swahili words for Thank you very much from students, teachers and families in Kenya. They are expressing their gratitude to the CF team and all the US contributors and volunteers who made possible the collect of books, computers, shoes or clothes and the shipping to Nairobi, Kenya in Africa. Recently, Mrs. Judy made a trip to schools in Kenya. She provided many pictures and vibrant testimonies from teachers, staff and families she met during her African visit.  Let’s share the joy. Indeed, the educational tools reached students in need, in Kenya.

Left to right: Judy Rono and her husband among students in Kenya. A newly electrified classroom with happy students displaying gifts from Minneapolis. Teachers distribute books, backpacks, pens, computers etc...

Appreciation from Judy Rono                                                                         

Thank you note to CF for the assistance we got last year to impact the school in Eldoret called Berur Orimary School. Most students who attend the school are from low income families. Students and teachers welcomed us with lots of joy. We visited the library and the classrooms from the Nursery to the 8th graders. Happy and respectful children, buildings from a foreign organization. All the students smiled repeating “Aksanti sana” and “Mungu awabariki”. They promised to keep working hard for better grades. They promised to take care of the equipment they received.  Westlands PCA is the other school we visited. Same need for equipment, building refreshment and need of educational tools. You can contact Mr. Cornelius Kibet for questions or information about the school, teachers and staff.

Could you help and make a difference in the life of students in need? Families and students served come from the rural areas of Nairobi. These are low income families who cannot afford the fees and prices of educational tools. Parents are unable to provide public transportation to and from school, school supplies, shoes, lunch at school and seasonal adapted clothes.  They need your generous act of giving.            

GIVE A LITTLE HELP A LOT!

Cilongu Foundation - Newsletter December 2013

Keep up with benevolence. Twelve years later, Cilongu Foundation (CF) continues to deliver philanthropic services as defined in its mission; supporting educational initiatives in Africa and the United States.  Two fundamental questions that will be elaborated on this newsletter are: Why does the foundation continue to support educational initiatives? Who are the care agents that proliferate the mission of the foundation? 

Why does Cilongu Foundation continue to support educational initiatives?

Education is the great equalizer and many people have reached their life goals because they were able to attend school, learn skills and dispositions that enabled them to find a job.  As a result of a great education, individuals are able to provide for their families, while others are able to provide for many in the community, because their entrepreneurial vision led to starting a business, a school or a hospital to name a few.  This is true for Sammy Tshibangu, the construction engineer who founded Collège Toute Grâce (CTG), a K-12 school that CF supports in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  You will read more about CTG in another section of this newsletter.

CF’s motto is “Give a Little and Help a Lot”.  The motto is the chief reason why CF continues to support educational initiatives in Africa and the US.  We believe that giving is a humble act that shows what one appreciates when God has provided for him/her and needs. Conversely, the recipient feels the need to pay it forward by reciprocating the act of kindness.  The history of the foundation reveals our belief about what we received from others which led to the development of the foundation.  We, at the foundation, also believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  When you give, you are blessing the receiver because many times those who receive support from the foundation least expected or have not even requested the support. 

Backing up students and parents! The care that the foundation provides comes in many forms; money to pay teachers, money for students to pay tuition, shoes for students to wear, school supplies for students to use, books for students to read or clothing for them to wear and sometimes food for them to eat.  CF is fortunate that all of the support that is sent to the partner schools has always arrived without being lost or stolen.  This is because of the individuals whom we have met in person and are responsible to deliver the supports or resources.

How much does one need to own in order to provide for others?  CF operates with an annual budget of less than $5,000 a year.  However, the foundation supports five schools and 600 students each year.  Education does not cost a lot in a country where the dollar is the leading currency in the world.  Therefore, the parity ration is favorable for those who have dollars compared to other foreign currencies.  All our partner schools charge an annual tuition of $200 per year or less.  For example, a teacher at CTG receives a monthly salary of $40.  The comparative advantage that American dollars carry over some foreign currencies allows CF to seek gift donations from friends to provide for children and schools in Africa.  Visit our website to read more about the foundation history at www.cilongofoundation.org

Further effort to help students CF will launch another campaign and partner with schools in the US to raise money to collect school supplies for our partner schools in Africa.  We believe that the stories from schools such as CTG will help students in the US to appreciate the free public education they receive.  It is important to mention that children from our partner schools walk each day to attend school.  Many of them walk to school bare foot because their families cannot afford to buy shoes.  In the next section you will read about Jimmy Nyembwe recent visit to Collège Toute Grâce.

During her recent visit to the US, Céline Tshibangu visited St. Paul City School, a PreK-8 charter school in Frogtown, St. Paul.  She admired the size of the classroom and was amazed to see the beautifully decorated classrooms unlike CTG.  Please help us support CTG and allow them to create picturesque classrooms.

Who are the care agents that proliferates the mission of Cilongu Foundation?

A recent study of US nonprofit foundations reported that individual donors were the number one supporters of the foundation.This statement resonates at CF.Individuals from communities in Minnesota give monthly to CF because they are aware of the needs of children in Africa.CF is able to support educational initiatives in Africa and the US because generous people give each month.We are honored to work with people from Minnesota who have a kindred spirit and believe in the leadership of the foundation and its work.

CF will continue to make a difference in the lives of many children in Africa and the US.  Here, CF has contributed to the Blaine High School scholarship funds and provided winter boots to incoming students. CF supported the Character Education program at St. Paul City School to help students maintain a positive behavior on the bus.  “Thank you” to all our supporters for joining hands to make a difference by supporting the education of children.  Former South African President Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  Mandela has shown us how his education changed the world in South Africa and many parts of the globe.  You never know where the next Nelson Mandela will come from. Maybe from one of the partner schools that CF supports in Africa or in the United States?

Project updates

More exciting news from our partner schools in Africa is available because of the advancement of technology but also because Jimmy Nyembwe recently visited CTG in the DRC and PANA Christian Open School in Zambia.  You can appreciate seeing the evidence of your dollars making a difference for children in Africa.

Congo-Kinshasa (Central Africa)

In June 2013 Jimmy visited CTG and delivered 120 pairs of shoes to students.  Shoes are a luxury for some people around the world because they cannot afford them.  For many in the US, shoes can be found in a trash can at a university, a thrift store or even in someone’s garbage.  As it is often said, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure! Shoes delivered by Jimmy to students at CTG were indeed a treasure for them.  These shoes were purchased and others donated during the 2012-13 Cilongu Foundation shoe drive.  We collected 900 pairs of shoes that have been distributed and some remain to be shipped. 

Natural barrier! Sink holes are not only common to some states in the US.  In the surrounding village near CTG, a sink hole divided the village in two parts and prevents many students from getting to the other side of the village to attend school.  Students have to walk an additional hour before they arrive at school.  Please consider donating funds to allow the school to purchase a bus that will transport students to school.

In Zambia

PANA Christian School is another partner school in Lusaka Zambia. PANA Christian School has been operating in a church for the past three years.The school has purchased a lot and plans to begin raising the walls of the new school. During Jimmy’s visit in June, he visited the future home of PANA Christian School.In the picture below you will see the foundation that was dug. In Early November, CF sent $600 to purchase the tile for the roof of PANA Christian School.  We are pleased to support another school that will continue to provide a quality education for students in Lusaka, Zambia. 

In 2012 and early 2013, CF sent 2 of 20 computers that we received from a donor in Blaine to PANA Christian School.  Both computers arrived safely and are being used at the school site. 

Thank you for the continuous support that the friends of CF have provided.  We could not do this work without your generous donations. 

From Blaine to West Africa and East Africa

Liberia                                                                                                                                                

On his travel to Liberia, Edwin Weedor, our contact person for Trumpet of God School has been able to carry 25 Rotary Kits. A kit includes 1 bag, 2 notebooks, 1 ruler, 12 colored pencils, and 1 pair of scissors, 2 pencils, 1 sharpener and 2 erasers. Edwin carried also 106 pairs of shoes, clothes, books and 4 computers plus accessories.

Ann Sandell International School received 1 computer thanks to the service of the United Methodist Church in Anoka.

Sierra Leone CF donated 60 assorted pairs of shoes and 3 computers for students at the Sierra International School. Dr. Leone Elliot, Proprietor and President took care of the shipment to Freetown.

Kenya Via the USPS, CF has been able to ship a computer to A.I.C Ebenezer Academy in Kabarnet, Kenya

Cilongou Foundation - Newsletter March 2013

1st Annual Shoe Drive for Africa

 In September 2012, Cilongo foundation organized its 1st annual Shoes for Africa drive at the Aquatore Park, in Blaine, Minnesota and collected 900 pairs of shoes. The drive was a great success because we collected more shoes than we expected. A common phrase at the foundation is “Give a little and help a lot”. People from around the Twin Cities including suburbs like Minnetonka, Apple Valley, and Stillwater opened their hearts and donated shoes to support a  worthy cause. They gave a little and their act of kindness will help a lot. It is common that many people in rural parts of Africa walk long distances bear feet because they do not have shoes or cannot afford to buy shoes. At the end of the day, the Cilongo foundation drop off setting at the Aquatore Park in Blaine became a memorable site for the 900 pairs of shoes and 140 pairs of socks that were collected for students in Africa’s rural schools.    The foundation distributes donated good to schools that we support in different African countries.  Boxes of shoes have been shipped to A.I.C. EBENEZER ACADEMY in Kenya, Trumpet of God School in Liberia and Sierra International School in Freetown, Sierra Leone. In Minnesota, winter boots have been donated to the Blaine High School in Minneapolis for newcomers’ students.                                       

Thank you to all the generous donors.

20 computers donated for students in Africa

Cilongo foundation’s mission is to support educational initiatives in Africa and the United States. However, the foundation relies on the support from corporation and individuals donors. The foundation received 20 computers from a local businessman to support the foundation work. We are pleased to announce that in December, PANA School in Kabanana-Lusaka , Zambia received one computer. Elijah Lungo, one of the school officials expressed his gratitude for the computer that the school received.  The other computers will be sent to other schools the foundation supports in Africa. The foundation use funds donated by individual donors to pay for the cost of shipping goods.                                                      

 Classroom presentation at Eagan High School A social studies class at Eagan High school was the perfect audience for a presentation on the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The students in Ms. Kim’s class read the book “Heart of Darkness” based on a true story about the DR Congo. To complement her lesson on the Congo and give a deeper meaning to learning, Ms. Kim invited Albert Nyembwe, founder and executive director of the Cilongo Foundation to talk to the class about his experience in the Congo. Albert presented on various aspects of the Congolese culture including social classes to the captive audience of students. Students enjoyed the presentation, asked questions and took pictures of artifacts that were shown during the presentation. Ms. Kim wrote, “Thank you for presenting to our students at Eagan High School. I am striving to expose students to the history and challenges of African nations while cultivating an appreciation for the beautiful geography and culture”. Taking advantage of the speaker’s visit, Mrs. Albertson invited the Albert to chat with her students in French. Interact with English learners of the French language was an enhancing experience thanks to the practice of a combination of learning methods that Mrs. Albertson uses to get her students serious about studying French in a whole English-speaking environment.

Cilongo foundation offers customized presentation on African culture but more explicitly on the DR Congo. Contact Albert at cilongu@msn.com if your school or class is interested to learn more about the DR Congo. The presentation includes music, artifact, food and video.

Making a difference

Cilongo Foundation thrives on serving the community by giving back in many ways. Members of the foundation believe that they can make a difference in people’s life by offering services, volunteering, giving resources or sharing a meal.  Every other Friday members of the foundation volunteer their time at Friday Manna Market at Good Shepherd Covenant Church, a food shelf in Blaine. Other recent acts of service include volunteering time at Feed My Starving Children an organization that provide food around the world and Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN.

Fundraiser with the Jumpin' Jehosaphats United Methodist Church Pastor Lyndy Zabel of Anoka, Minnesota and the Jumpin' Jehosaphats choir played at the fundraiser event at Good Shepherd Covenant Church in Blaine, Minnesota. The choir performed contemporary Christian music for the public. The team at Cilongo Foundation appreciates efforts to support our activities for students in the US and rural areas of Africa. Please join us!  

Pictures: Presentation of Congolese-produced copper captures the attention of students. Mbaya, a CF staff member volunteers at Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Pastor Lynzy plays piano with the Jumpin’ Jehosaphats choir at Good Shepherd Church, Blaine. Volunteers Mary Beth and Tina Dickerson, Carlos, Cynthia and Sony packed shoes for students. Volunteers Prince, Gina and Gaël share a smile after counting computers for Africa. Kabanana PANA students receiving their first computer in Lusaka, Zambia (Africa).