Students gave thanks in French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba at an event marking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s donation of hundreds of desks to the Camp Major Vangu School in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo on 15 December 2022. The Church donated 400 school desks, 16 office tables, and 16 office chairs to the school for military children.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Several government and military officials attended the handover ceremony. The provincial government was represented by Prudence Ilunga, of the Ministry of Education, and the Army was represented by Daniel Mwanja, Deputy Regional Commander for Operations and Intelligence. The Church was represented by Elder Sylvain Kongolo, who oversees church operations throughout southern and central DR Congo. More than 1,000 people attended the event.
Prudence Ilunga said, “in the name of Provincial Governor Jacques Kabula Katwe whom I represent, we are thankful to the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints for this large assistance to our Army Camp Major Vangu School. This support will help future generations gain their education under good conditions. And we thank this church for its willingness to support the educational vision of our country’s President.”
Daniel Mwanja said, “we can witness that this is the true church by their work and support to the local community, as we know this is not the first support we have received from this church. We request your kindness to continue supporting our community and our President’s vision of free education.”
Elder Kongolo remarked that “faith without works is dead. This is the right way for the Church and our Heavenly Father to show love to this community by supporting and helping our military’s children to have access to education in good conditions.”
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ strive to follow the Savior’s example by reaching out to help people from all walks of life, regardless of their race, religion, or nationality.