On The Ground - Sept/Oct ‘25

Club of Leaders (CoL) 

In September and October 2025, the CoL addressed challenges in the local community such as school absenteeism, environmental cleanliness, and youth engagement, turning these challenges into opportunities to teach leadership and responsibility. Students led efforts to clean classrooms and the playground, repair and maintain school toilets, water the baobab tree, and maintain shared spaces. At the start of the new school year, CoL members encouraged their peers to return to class, boosting attendance to 447 primary and 75 high school students within two weeks. Meanwhile, school staff used funds raised from selling clean drinking water to put a roof on a fifth classroom, purchase materials for a sixth, and improve blackboards, expanding learning space for Hebrone’s growing student body. 

A key focus has been inviting and including kulunas, youth who have previously caused disruption in the community, to show there is a positive space where they can belong and contribute. Through respectful dialogue and participation in CoL meetings and activities, these young people have experienced inclusion and accountability. As Dr Jerry, DRC Country Director, noted, “This activity has really removed the negative thoughts that many people have around these young people; through this activity many people understood that despite all that, children can also change, listen and abandon these bad behaviors.” 

On September 20, the CoL celebrated with a community meal attended by nearly 400 participants, including 25 community youth and eight kulunas. Students led presentations and performances showing how the CoL has transformed Hebrone into a model of a clean school that fosters leadership, teamwork, and restoration. Teachers, parents, and local leaders praised the CoL as a program that nurtures leadership, fosters inclusion, and builds hope for the future of youth in the Congo. 

Ecole Valeurs de Christ (EVC): Potential Partner School 

As we expand the Club of Leaders model beyond Hebrone, we will begin by gathering baseline data and building trust in our new partner school community. With a finalized CoL manual and step-by-step methodology guide, Malembe Rise will be able to deliver consistent and sustainable leadership training through a Training of Trainers and Facilitators program.