This project provides college scholarships to top students from the remote village of Rwenena, DR Congo. It is a continuation of "Educate 60+ Vulnerable Children in DR Congo." As a first step in a fresh approach, we provide academic & living expenses for Rwenena-born Claudine. Always motivated & inspired to give back, she is now in her third year of a college nursing program in the nearby nation of Burundi.
Trained healthcare professionals are scarce in many African communities - more so in remote villages like Rwenena, DR Congo. Life expectancies in this nation are short; maternal and childhood death rates are among the highest in the world. Health care provisions in Rwenena are few; only a small clinic - without a single bed - functions on a limited basis. Claudine's family - now in rural Burundi - remains vulnerable and has no money whatsoever to support her.
Claudine is scheduled to spend her final year practicing at a teaching hospital that serves 40,000 patients from surrounding rural areas. This setting is tailor-made for her dream of serving rural villages like Rwenena as a nurse. At a General Assembly, Rwenena leaders referred to Claudine as bringing a new level of distinction to the community. She is inspiring a new generation with hope for the future. Vencianne (profiled earlier, now in secondary school) is now determined to become a doctor.
We cannot predict how many medical professionals Rwenena can grow, but as a nurse, Claudine can demonstrate that once-vulnerable people can contribute to healing and success of their communities and beyond. Besides addressing the shortage of health care workers in countries like DR Congo, this project will advance at least four Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations: #3, Good Health & Well Being; #5, Gender Equality; #8, Decent Work & Economic Growth; & #10, Reduced Inequalities.
