News
December 1, 2008
New Violence Finally Capturing Attention of the World
The fresh round of violence in Eastern Congo is claiming lives and creating hundreds of thousands of new refugees. Between August and Thanksgiving (2008), more than 250,000 people have suddenly become refugees on the move seeking shelter, safety, and food. There are reports of soldiers going into schools - some of the few operating in that area - and forcibly taking young boys away to "train" them as soldiers. With a few days training and armed against their own government, they are forced to fight or be killed.
Finally, the ongoing tragedy appears to be catching the world’s attention in bits and pieces. We all are praying for resolution and an end to the suffering.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jo Lusi, a UPC alumnus and founder of the Heal Africa hospital in Goma, is working in the heart of this chaos. The 23 of November 2008, he was interviewed by the BBC, giving his first-hand report of the conflict. We are proud of UPC’s role in shaping this courageous Congolese leader. He truly epitomizes “education that builds a nation,” and we pray for his safety.
In Kinshasa, more than 1,000 miles from the violence, UPC continues it steady course of excellence as it heads into its 50th year of service to the Congolese people. Please read our final newsletter of 2008. It will bring you up to date on some of the university's many accomplishments.
We sincerely hope you will consider becoming part of our “$50 for UPC’s 50th” campaign. Our goal is to raise $5 million in scholarships for the future leaders of Congo.
Also, please check out our “Zazzle” site. We are creating UPC-branded items for sale in a special online store. We hope to have holiday cards and more.
AND, please do remember to start all your OTHER online shopping at igive.com where a percentage of each purchase will be donated to the NALB on behalf of UPC.
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