OFFICIAL VISIT BY JULES THE COORDINATOR TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND CONGO BRAZZAVILLE IN APRIL 2007

  Our wish and desire at the Pan African Coordination in IMCS - Pax Romana is to spend a lot of time at our disposal with the members at the grass root (national level and sections); with the intention of touching their social-economic realities and appreciating their commitment, but also their weaknesses in the action. This ground visit enabled us to think together with the students to find ways and means to help them give their contributions at diverse levels and apply their knowledge to support and serve others with their ways of life at the university and Institutes of Higher learning, and support to the service of the society.

1) NATIONAL FORUM FOR CATHOLIC STUDENTS IN KINSHASA

 Under the invitation of the federal office of  IMCS – DR Congo in collaboration with father Ambroise Mutshembe of the Episcopal commission for the lay apostolate in DR Congo and  benefiting from the training session on HIV/AIDS which he had to facilitate in Bukavu, Eastern DR Congo; Jules Wahare took part in the national forum for the catholic students conveyed in Kinshasa from 15- 21 April 2007 by the Episcopal commission for the lay apostolate in collaboration with the peace and justice commission that saw the participation of for more than 150 students from all provinces of DR Congo, as well as delegates from Congo Brazzaville and Rwanda. Jules was welcomed at Kinshasa airport by Alain Kipa, the federal president and Gautier who were sent by Fr. Joseph Mwendanga, the federal Chaplain of IMCS DR Congo. The theme of the forum was “Forgiveness, Reconciliation and good Governance: the Responsibility of the youth in the Reconstruction of Peace” with various sub themes. On 18^th April under lashing rains, the participants took part in a procession, with messages of peace written on banners, they crossed the city of Kinshasa, covering five km from the central railway station up to the interdiocesian center where they set a milestone by planting a Peale pole to the image of what IMCS Pax Romana Africa did at Kigali during the PAA in Rwanda. Such initiatives of uniting catholic students in a forum of sharing and exchanges is to be encouraged in other countries for the young catholic to make contributions in all levels of their social life.

2) CONGO BRAZZAVILLE

    Whether at the TCHEULIMA or ENAM campus, Jules had exchanged with the members in sharing about IMCS history, its methodology of action and commitment on social questions on the background of the university among students with the intention of using their knowledge to serve others.

He insisted on the importance of managing concrete actions in our lives by organizing conferences, debates and training sessions on themes, which affect students’ lives. With the commitment of our members to give their time and knowledge, we can carry out concrete activities and with such actions; we can gain credibility on the face of other students and actors in the society. It is on base of these experiences that we can collaborate with other organizations in place, for bigger actions in the society by elaborating projects for financial support, which account for the social realties of students. The rain, which fell on Brazzaville on April 25, did not allow planned session at the campus of BAYARDELLE and IMPERIAL to take place with members. Among the various challenges expressed by the national president Vladimir Mpele and his Team as well as the Chaplain Fr. Claver Boundja, is the commitment of students in the chaplaincy. Today, the work on redynamization is being done by creation of life cellules on the campuses animated by Fr. Claver and with the establishment of students’ week with aim to give students opportunity to reflect on their social, economic and political realities.

The relation between the chaplaincy and the Episcopal conference does not seem to be clear. The Coordionator Jules and national president Vladimir paid a visit to the Archbishop of Brazzaville, Bishop Anatole Milandou, who, before agreeing meeting, regretted the lack of ample time for better discussion, but thanked Jules for the visit. He encouraged the students to take an active part in the construction of the church and the society in general.

We thank the Dominican community of Saint Martin de Pores in Brazzaville and especially the chaplain, Fr. Claver Boundja for the hospitality given to Jules during his stay in Brazzaville . May the Lord continue to strengthen you in the spirit of serving others.

3) CONFRENCE AT CATHOLIC FACULTY OF KINSASHA  

In winding up his mission DR Congo, Jules the Coordinator under the invitation of the IMCS Catholic Faculties’ branch, in collaboration with the federal office of IMCS DR Congo, gave a talk on 7^th May 2007 on the theme “IMCS Pax Romana and the spirit of Leadership of service”. About 100 students took part in the conference. The necessity to serve in diverse levels of life to the interest of those who have entrusted us with responsibility and not to their detriment was emphasized. It is by doing so that we can be good Leaders and make difference in action in conformity with our slogan. At the end of the meeting, there was an occasion for the participants to experience fraternal sharing and appreciation of the stay of Jules and saying goodbye to each other.

Long live to IMCS Pax Romana to keep equipping young Africans in order to get involved in the process of making the Difference through action.

Jules Yaovi WAHARE, Pan African Coordinator IMCS Pax Romana.