Congo Voice
CongoVoice was launched in March, 2012 as a vehicle to ‘Voice’ the needs and opportunities in the Ubangi region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. CongoVoice was founded by Mike Seashols and Dr. Mossai Sanguma when they met in Gemena in 2012 to explore how to provide Hope and Opportunity to the Congolese people.
The recognized needs started with the plight of the children without families which was partially caused by the impact of the 10+ years of war, high percentage of HIV/AIDS infection & malaria, and a government that was not yet functional to serve the most needy. The Gemena area was a logical place to launch since there existed strong local Congolese leadership and significant agricultural resources to build a sustainable economy. The growing stability of the local and national government was a very positive sign – the conclusion was reached that the time was right to invest in the lives of the Congolese children, students and Entrepreneurs. We know that we could help change the lives of this generation which would improve the lives of future generations.
Our charter is to provide for the basic needs of the children without families – these children have no other option except living on the street. These basic needs include love, housing, food, medical coverage, and education. The second step is to provide higher education (UPU) – to educate / train the local population to create and sustain self employment through launching new entrepreneurial businesses. There is currently a 95% unemployment rate in the Congo so the challenge is to educate / train the people to create their own jobs which will then create a sustainable local economy.
CongoVoice is unique – ALL donations are invested in the children, students. or local businesses – dispersed through Sabuli Children Center, or the Ubangi Protestant University (UPU), or in Micro-Financing. All overhead and administrative costs are covered by the CongoVoice leadership. Your donations are used exclusively for what you designate or as needed within one of these programs.
CongoVoice has been fortunate to partner with hundreds of donors who have provided financial support to launch a Children’s Center for orphans without any family support. The Center provides housing, security, nutrition, medical, and education for many local vulnerable children. The Children’s Center has saved lives and delivered Hope and Opportunity to these children.
We Encourage was introduced to Dr. Mossai Sanguma when he was studying at Fuller Seminary and attending Pasadena Covenant. Dr. Sanguma after leading the Evangelical Church in DRC, and also then leading with World Vision and a partnership for Congokids, is now President of this university he has started in Gemena. Mossai’s wife Sabuli has started an orphanage there as well serving many children who needed a home, as they initially did when they found their own orphan, “Precious”.
