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Fresno, Calif.
North American tour to promote education, peace issues in Congo


Congolese development specialist Pascal Kulungu and MBMS International missionary Dr. Murray Nickel are touring North America May to August 2002,

Pascal Kulungu (right) with church leader Rev. Mbayanvula.

promoting education programs, health development and peace issues in Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Since the downward trend of Congo’s economy starting in the late 1970s and the pillages and wars starting in 1991, education has suffered at all levels,” notes Nickel. “Though state professors have complained bitterly, their voice is not heard either by the government or by their colleagues in other countries.”

Nickel and Kulungu hope their tour will promote awareness and engage support for education initiatives, peace programs and general health and development in the Congo. They will highlight programs by the Congolese Mennonite Brethren Church and MBMS International, the global mission agency of MB churches in Canada and the US.

Kulungu is the administrator in charge of the budget at Université Chrétien de Kinshasa, a Protestant and Mennonite supported university in the capital city of Kinshasa. He has experience in conflict resolution, peace building, economic development and health care administration in the Congo. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Fresno (Calif.) Pacific College.

Université Chrétien de Kinshasa.

Nickel is a physician who has worked as an MBMSI missionary in Congo since 1999. He has concentrated his efforts in health care development and education. He is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and has certification in family medicine and emergency medicine.

Université Chrétien de Kinshasa was originally a theological school begun by Mennonite and Baptist missionaries. It was transformed into a university in 1995 by the addition of faculties in economics and medicine. Currently, it has the only functional Protestant medical faculty in Kinshasa.

The University has suffered along with the rest of the country. The medical school has no lab, a minimal library and no audiovisual capacity for teaching. The school’s main source of funding is student tuition, which comes to $250 per student per semester. Six denominations are involved at the university. Their capacity to support the university has also diminished over the past years.

On their tour, Kulungu and Nickel will seek financial support for infrastructure improvements, a laboratory, library improvements, audiovisual equipment and professor support programs through the MIHELDA fund.

Dr. Murray Nickel with his wife Faith and children Elias, Julie and Denee.

The MIHELDA fund, set up by MBMS International, provides resources and technical assistance to Mennonite institutions of higher education around the world. Kulungu and Nickel also hope to arrange for skilled North Americans to visit the University to provide academic and clinical teaching, and promote idea exchange and sister school mentoring between the university and North American schools.

Kulungu and Nickel will also raise financial support for MBMSI’s Congo Health and Development Fund. An office in Kinshasa was created under the direction of Mennonite Brethren Congolese laity and other experts, and is financially supported by MBMSI and the World Bank. This office works in close affiliation with other Congo health projects and Mennonite Central Committee.

The Libota Health Care Clinic was started in 1998. When completed, it will serve as a teaching base for medical students and as a hub for public health programs in Kinshasa.

Peace and conflict resolution issues are relevant in the Congo at the national, tribal and church levels. Mennonites support several Congolese initiatives through MCC. Mennonites in Congo plan to collaborate with Quakers to put forth a more effective and cohesive effort under the direction of Mr. Bakamana and Kulungu. The project includes a diplomatic meeting centre, a teaching centre, and specific interventions in churches, young people’s groups and women’s groups.

The Remu Medical Network is a network of private medical schools developed by Mennonite churches in the Congo that works to improve professors’ access to resources and strengthen their voice in government. Two conferences have been held over the past two years. Remu has also produced a document on medical education standards, which is being discussed in the Congolese parliament.

Nickel and Kulungu hope to help Remu build relationships with North American businesses, schools and organizations that will help produce an exchange of ideas as well as financial support for specific projects such as library, classroom improvements, laboratory, and professor support programs.

To support UCKin and the MIHELDA fund (P-0278), Health and Development Fund (P-0055), Libota Health Clinic (P-0258), Mennonite Peace Project (P-0260) and the Remu project (P-0278), send your donations to MBMSI, 2-169 Riverton Ave., Winnipeg, Man. R2L 2E5.

Kulungu and Nickel will be in the following Canadian locations:

Abbotsford, B.C. area – July 21–August 4 Winnipeg area – August 5–August 15 Montreal area – August 16–August 26

 – Brad Thiessen, MBMS International

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Last modified July 19, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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