N’sele, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Handover ceremony for the newly remodeled N’sele Agricultural and Veterinary Technical Institute (ITAVN) N’sele, Kinshasa, DRC January 15, 2026
Handover ceremony for the newly remodeled N’sele Agricultural and Veterinary Technical Institute (ITAVN) N’sele, Kinshasa, DRC January 15, 2026© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Hope has taken root once again under the skies of N’sele. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, a new chapter in history was written for the N’sele Agricultural and Veterinary Technical Institute (ITAVN). Thanks to the timely intervention of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this emblematic institution, long marked by the scars of time, now displays a renewed and radiant face, ready to train the builders of tomorrow’s food sovereignty.
Located at the heart of the DAIPN zone, ITAVN is more than just a school; it is a legacy.
Founded in 1980 under the initiative of Marshal Mobutu to support the agricultural ambitions of the N’sele Farm, the institute had been on the brink of collapse due to decades of neglect.
The renovation project, remarkable in scope, addressed the institution’s vital structures:
- Complete rehabilitation of classrooms and administrative offices;
- Structural renovation of ceilings and roofs, putting an end to safety risks for students;
- Provision of furniture with the delivery of 200 new desk-benches;
- Restoration of hygiene and dignity through the construction of a modern sanitary block, strictly subdivided to ensure privacy for girls and boys.
Newly remodeled N’sele Agricultural and Veterinary Technical Institute (ITAVN) N’sele, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo January 15, 2026
Newly remodeled N’sele Agricultural and Veterinary Technical Institute (ITAVN) N’sele, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo January 15, 2026© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The official handover ceremony, held yesterday afternoon, brought together a distinguished audience, underscoring the importance of the event. Among those present were His Excellency Mr. Tshitenga Kabuya Thierry, Provincial Minister of Education, New Citizenship, Gender, and Vocational Training of the Provincial Government of Kinshasa; the Honorable Hermes Itina Mayamba, elected representative of Tshiangu; and Mr. Mazoya Lievain, Deputy Education Officer (Sous-Proved) of N’sele 1.
Left to right: Brother Faustin, Madame Adolphine Lumueni Konzo, Prefect of Studies and Head of the ITAV Institution; His Excellency Mr. Tshitenga Kabuya Thierry, Provincial Minister in Charge of Education cutting the ribbon, Honorable Hermes Itina Mayamba, National Deputy, Mr. Mazoya Lievain, Deputy Provincial Director N'sele 1. N’sele, Kinshasa, DRC January 15, 2026
Left to right: Brother Faustin, Madame Adolphine Lumueni Konzo, Prefect of Studies and Head of the ITAV Institution; His Excellency Mr. Tshitenga Kabuya Thierry, Provincial Minister in Charge of Education cutting the ribbon, Honorable Hermes Itina Mayamba, National Deputy, Mr. Mazoya Lievain, Deputy Provincial Director N'sele 1. N’sele, Kinshasa, DRC January 15, 2026© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The address by Mrs. Adolphine Lumueni Konzo, Academic Prefect and Head of the Institution, particularly moved the audience. Recalling her arrival in 2022, she described the sense of helplessness she felt in the face of the dilapidation:
“Everything was being worn away, except time itself. My daily fear was to see pieces of roofing tiles fall on our heads. After knocking on many doors without success, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to our aid, without hesitation.”
Students sitting at their new desks donated by the Church. N’sele, Kinshasa, DRC January 15, 2026
Students sitting at their new desks donated by the Church. N’sele, Kinshasa, DRC January 15, 2026© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Speaking on behalf of the Church, Bishop Flory Mpondolo urged the educational community to become the guardians of this gem. For him, the sustainability of these infrastructures depends on the discipline of those who occupy them today.
Bishop Flory Mpondolo, from the humanitarian service, addressing the participants at the ceremony. N’sele, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo January 15, 2026
Bishop Flory Mpondolo, from the humanitarian service, addressing the participants at the ceremony. N’sele, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo January 15, 2026© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.In closing the ceremony, the Provincial Minister praised this exemplary partnership between the faith-based private sector and the State. He reminded students that while the walls have been restored, it is up to them to rebuild the country through hard work and integrity:
“You are the future of tomorrow for a strong Congo. Protect this building, study diligently, and become the citizens the Republic needs.” He continued his address with these words:
Through this act of generosity, the Church is not merely restoring stones; it is investing in human capital. ITAV/N’sele can now pursue its original mission with dignity: training agronomy and veterinary technicians capable of transforming the agricultural potential of the DRC into a thriving reality.
