Lemba Imbu School - DR Congo

Lemba Imbu Grammar School is a non-profit association, benefiting hundreds of children who live in poor neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The low cost school is easily accessible to the surrounding population because it is in a location without many other services. The strengths of the grammar school are numerous: high quality of instruction; the love of the staff ; good hygiene, including construction of latrines and a well for drinking water; a new four room school building with furniture; and the recent purchase of an adjoining property to increase the children’s recreational area. International support of up to $6000 a year pays for the operational costs and allows children whose families normally could not pay the school fees to attend. Financial support from Oxfam Great Britain, a number of Susila Dharma organizations, and the Muhammad Subuh Foundation have allowed for numerous physical improvements to the school.

HISTORY
The Lemba Imbu School started at the initiative of Santu Ntendi Paul-Gaston and his wife, Charlotte Ndona, in September 1995. Charlotte Ndona is currently the head teacher. She states, “The parents of our students have understood the purpose of our work, and their testimonies attract people in need of human and social aid. People feel positive about the love we give our students.”

BENEFIT
In the 2001-2002 school year 318 students received partial or full financial assistance to cover school fees.
• In the same year, 57 students (orphans, destitute and staff children) were supported by the school.
• Informal health education is provided for youth who are exposed to the dangers of sexual transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

VISION
Santu and Charlotte would like Lemba Imbu School to become a model in the surrounding poor neighbourhoods. They hope that one day they can support children through secondary school and see them off to university. In order to achieve this vision, they want to find ways to help the school become more sustainable by attaching a health dispensary and shop to serve the community. CSSD Lemba Imbu is a member of the local Club UNESCO and is an active participant in the local education networks.

Download
Lemba Imbu Project Profile PDF (114k)

Contact:
Charlotte Ndona Muini
B.P. 11,467, Kinshasa 1 / Gombe, Democratic Republic Congo
Email: charlotte_susiladharmardc@yahoo.fr