The chance to give a manual with a Christian emphasis to schools throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo fills Judy Acheson with hope.

Looking back over the years since I first arrived in the Congo in 1980, I realise how far the country has come.

Under Joseph Mobutu, no one was allowed freedom of expression; no one felt that he or she had a say in the government of the country. What happened, happened. [Mobutu fell from power in 1997.]

With the advent of Laurent Kabila, the current President’s father, came a surge of hope. New universities were opened. Young people began to have dreams.

Sadly, however, this era turned sour and a feeling of discouragement set in; a feeling that nothing would ever change.

The transition (the period of the transitional government after Laurent Kabila was killed, when his son was asked to take over for a while to prepare for elections), however, brought new people, with different ideas, into the government and although the way was long and the battle to make headway difficult, 2006 brought free, democratic elections and the country began to lift up its head.

Maybe, it was felt, the country does have a future!

Judy Acheson with Helen
(Photo: © CMS)

Throughout these years our Youth Department has been training young people to think for themselves, to have, give and express their own opinions, and make their own decisions.

God began to show us that he is going to bring mighty changes within the country and has chosen to use children and young people as a means of doing so.

This led us to write our second manual, Young people, with God, let us rebuild our beautiful country .

As we listened to President Joseph Kabila's inaugural speech, we felt that, given his aspirations, we might almost have worked with him in writing our book and therefore had a tool that could be used throughout the country.

Following a meeting with the Minister of Youth in July 2007, he requested that the manual be presented to a group of experts for official validation.

After two such workshops, we are now in the process of editing the manual to produce a second edition in line with their new guidelines, but which will in no way change the Christian emphasis nor the method used.

The suggestions made will only enrich this 'precious' manual, to quote the Minister.

We look forward to working in partnership with the Ministry in the printing and training of youth leaders nationwide.

The young people who’ve used it have been insightful in their appreciation.

A 1st Year Secondary pupil said, "This book gives us the opportunity to discuss openly. What we say will stay with us always and the decisions we make we will keep to, and stand firm."

A girl, also from the 1st Year, said, "This manual gives us a general education in which we learn to be responsible citizens; learning French, Maths and other courses, without also gaining a sense of responsibility, is time wasted."

A 4th Year pupil called this book "The Congolese Remedy".

We saw changes in young adults in Mbuji-Mayi who, prior to joining in our seminar, had refused to vote but who, having absorbed our discussion of the importance of voting, changed their minds and went on to take part in the electoral process.

We look forward to the day when the book will be used by thousands of teenagers and young adults in schools and in youth groups with the result that they will learn to make their own decisions and become aware of their role and their responsibility towards their own country.

CMS mission partner Judy Acheson has worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1980. She's currently Provincial Youth Co-ordinator for the Province of the DRC.

Published: 12:25 PM :: Thursday, November 29, 2007 :: 461 views :: 0 Comments :: Featured News Stories, Mid-Africa Region, Mission partners, Community development, Education, Youth work, FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS