His Excellency Mr Marc Ekila, Minister of Vocational Training and Trades lays a brick on the future building's foundation. 11 December 2025, Kinshasa, DRC.
His Excellency Mr Marc Ekila, Minister of Vocational Training and Trades lays a brick on the future building's foundation. 11 December 2025, Kinshasa, DRC. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Kinshasa, December 11, 2025 – A spirit of hope filled Camp Kabila, located in the commune of Lemba, City of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this Thursday. The event of the day? The symbolic laying of the first stone of a new educational center, named the Colonel Miguel Bangaya Center. Intended for the children and wives of police officers and military personnel, as well as children from the city of Kinshasa, this project is the result of the resounding call from the Ministry of Vocational Training and Trades to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Acting as the project’s master builder, the Church responded to the ministry’s appeal to carry out an initiative aimed at reducing vulnerability and strengthening the social fabric.
The building, planned on two levels (ground floor plus one), will be more than just a structure. It aspires to become a true hub of opportunity, comprising:
• 3 classrooms for a nursery school
• 5 vocational training rooms
• 1 multipurpose hall
• 8 blocks of latrines
This initiative addresses an alarming reality on the ground. As His Excellency Mr. Marc Ekila, Minister of Vocational Training and Trades (MFPM), reminded participants, many children still study “sitting directly on the ground, without a proper setting.” The center aims precisely to provide a dignified and conducive environment for learning.
- From-left-to-right-Ms.-Therese-Alongaboni,-Head-of-the-Association-of-Police-officers'-Wives-of-the-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo;-His-Excellency-Marc-Ekila,-Minister-of-Vocational-Training-and-Trades,-and-His-Excellency-Mr.-Eliezer-Ntambwe,-Deputy-Minister-to-the-Minister-of-National-Defense-and-Veterans-Affairs;-walking-towards-the-construction-site-for-laying-of-the-foundation-stone.-11-December-2025,-Kinshasa,-DRC.-
- His-Excellency-Mr.-Marc-Ekila,-Minister-of-Vocational-Training-and-Trades,-mixing-cement-to-lay-the-stone.-11-December-2025,-Kinshasa,-DRC.-
- Leaders-gather-for-photo-at-stone-laying-ceremony.-11-December-2025,-Kinshasa,-DRC.-
- His-Excellency-Mr-Marc-Ekila-Minister-of-Vocational-Training-and-Trades,-addressing-the-Crowd-at-the-groundbreaking-Ceremony.-11-December-2025,-Kinshasa,-DRC.-
- The-wives-of-police-officers-award-a-certificate-of-merit-to-the-Minister-of-Vocational-Training-and-Trades,-presented-by-their-president,-Mrs.-Therese-Alongaboni.--11-December-2025,-Kinshasa,-DRC.-
- Mrs-Therese-Alongaboni,-Head-of-the-Association-of-Police-Officers'-Wives-of-the-Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-thanking-officials-and-the-Church-for-their-support-and-love-shown-to-their-children.-11-December-2025,-Kinshasa,-DRC.
- Members-of-the-Association-of-the-police-officers'-Wives.-11-December-2025,-Kinshasa,-DRC-
- Officials-with-the-construction-team-on-site.--11-December-2025,-Kinshasa,-DRC-
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The guiding theme of the ceremony was the transformative power of education. Speeches recalled Nelson Mandela’s famous words: “Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.” A local adaptation, shared by Brother Didier Mutombo, Regional Manager of Humanitarian Aid for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, echoed this sentiment: “The prison doors will close if the street child is educated.” The center’s name honors Colonel Miguel Bangaya, a police officer described as having “fought tooth and nail against juvenile delinquency.” For the ministry, he embodies the commitment and success in serving the community that this project seeks to inspire.
Beneficiaries, represented by Mrs. Thérèse Alonga Boni, President of the Association of Police Officers’ Wives, and Master Fernando Beze, President of the Association of Children of Police and Military Personnel, expressed heartfelt gratitude.
The ceremony was graced by several authorities: His Excellency Mr. Marc Ekila, Minister of Vocational Training and Trades, repeatedly praised the Church for having “answered the call of his ministry.” His colleague, His Excellency Mr. Éliézer Ntabwe, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defense and Veterans, in charge of Veterans, emphasized the strategic importance of investing in human capital in this way.
President Richard Kialungula, Second Counselor in the Ngaba Stake Presidency, representing the Church, issued a solemn appeal to future users: “The only thing we can ask of you is to take care of this building for generations to come.” This plea was echoed by Mrs. Lydia Mukuna, who noted that “good works remain engraved in memory.” Beyond confessional aid, this project is part of a vision of shared citizenship. As Brother Didier Mutombo explained: “Not so that you become members, but because we are all fellow citizens, children of our Heavenly Father.”
The first stone has now been laid. It symbolizes the hope of seeing rise, brick by brick, a place where intelligence— “the glory of God”—will be cultivated to strengthen, in a lasting way, the economic and social fabric of the DRC, beginning with those who safeguard its security every day.