FUTURE HOPE AFRICA: WHAT WE DO
Building a secure future in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Hands up for education
Future Hope Africa supports children’s education through tutoring, a resource library, scholarships and field trips.
Future Hope Africa strives for a holistic approach to strengthening families and improving communities. We provide educational opportunities for children and foster the development of their faith and character. Because education alone does not lead to employment, we also support business education and provide microloans for entrepreneurs.
EDUCATION
Kanega Education Center
The Kanega center is our flagship service in the city of Bukavu. It provides after-school tutoring for all subjects including French, which is the official language of the DRC and Congolese education. The center also maintains a reading and lending library, which is a tremendous benefit given the scarcity of books in the community.
Reading and Lending Library
"A child who reads will be an adult who thinks." – Sasha Salmina
If you have a library nearby or grew up with books in your home, then you live in an environment with abundant learning resources. In the DRC, you would be one of an elite few. The city of Bukavu, with nearly one million people, has no public library. In addition, most families have no books at home. Not only that, most schools have no curricular books or libraries. That means children in Bukavu may never read or even touch a book. For this reason, our Education Center includes an in-house library and mobile library.
Field trips
Western students take field trips for granted, but in the DRC there is rarely a budget for extra-curricular learning. Future Hope Africa and the Kanega Center plan and fund at least one field trip annually during Vacation Bible School to expand students’ learning opportunities.
Scholarships
Scholarships for elementary and secondary students
Usually, public school students in the DRC must pay tuition and purchase uniforms and school supplies. Many can’t afford it. Future Hope Africa provides scholarships to help. In addition, some students attend private schools that require tuition. We provide need-based scholarships to help cover these costs. We don’t want anyone to miss out on an education because of a lack of resources.
Scholarships for college students
A college education is a rarity in the DRC. We help aspiring students make this dream a reality with scholarship funds.
GRACE Scholarships
These annual scholarships help high school student stay in school and succeed academically and spiritually. Public school tuition is often unaffordable, forcing young men and women to drop out. Learn more and sponsor a student.
BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Focus Business School
Focus Business School teaches entrepreneurship and finance based on biblical principles and values. We offer this instruction to local entrepreneurs in partnership with Focus Business School International.
Microloan financing for small businesses
Westerners usually have access to numerous forms of credit. However, the DRC is generally a cash-based society. Financing for entrepreneurial endeavors is difficult to obtain, particularly for people with few financial resources.
The solution? Microloans.
What is a microloan? Investopedia provides this summary:
“Microloans are small loans issued by individuals rather than banks or credit unions. Often, microloans are given to people in Third World countries, where traditional financing is not available, to help them start small businesses. Lenders receive interest on their loans and repayment of principal once the loan has matured.”
In Bukavu, microlending is helping people start sustainable businesses that provide income, employment and family stability. While FHA requires repayment of a loan, it does not charge interest.
COMMUNITY AND YOUTH SERVICES
Young Leaders Clubs
These clubs for young men and women meet teach crafts, life skills and biblical principles.
The Princess Club for young women and The Prince Club for young men provide students and young adults with caring mentors and create connections with supportive, like-minded peers. The clubs also teach personal financial management, basic business concepts and encourage students’ entrepreneurial ideas.
The Green Clubs
The Green Clubs were created in collaboration with local public schools to study environmental education and stewardship. The need is real. Due to almost non-existent garbage service, many people dump trash in the streets. Students are given opportunities to participate in cleanup projects. The Green Clubs also host a local radio program about environmental responsibility and citizenship.
Vacation Bible School
Future Hope Africa supports a two-week Vacation Bible School annually in July-August. While these programs are offered in thousands of locations in the United States, this is the only Vacation Bible School in Bukavu, a city of nearly one million. Our program serves about 160 children each year. Because demand is high and resources are limited, some children have to be turned away.