From Potential to Power. Help us Finish Strong.
Dear Friends,
For 20 years, Malembe Rise has been doing more than just helping—we've been believing. Believing in the power of young people to transform their own communities.
The Club of Leaders isn't a program; it's a revolution of possibility. These young leaders aren't waiting for change—they're creating it, one innovative solution at a time. From public health initiatives to environmental projects, they're proving that the most powerful force for progress lives within the community itself.
- TWENTY YEARS of investing in human potential!
- TWENTY YEARS of watching dreams take flight!
Community Leaders
In January, a transformative moment unfolded when PAEV Engineer Faustin Kapula visited Hebrone School. More than a routine inspection, this was a powerful affirmation of young leadership.
As the Club of Leaders shared their innovative approach to sanitation, Kapula saw beyond clean facilities—he witnessed a community reimagining its potential. "I found the children to be dynamic," he observed, "not just learning about hygiene, but actively sharing their knowledge with their community." His words captured a profound truth: these young leaders are not passive recipients of change, but architects of community transformation.
A Legacy Award
The spring brought profound loss with the passing of Director Misala, a true champion of the Club. In their grief, the students transformed mourning into meaningful action.
They created an award that would keep his spirit alive—honoring students who embody the qualities he cherished.
During our November visit, watching parents rush to celebrate their children's achievements, I witnessed something extraordinary. This was more than an award ceremony; it was a community healing, a testament to resilience, and a powerful declaration of hope.
Door to Door Community Conversations
Summer became a season of deep community engagement.
The Club of Leaders didn't just survey their neighborhood—they entered into a dialogue with their community.
Going door to door, they listened, learned, and shared knowledge about critical health practices. Their driving question became a mission: "How can we help our community use quality ash to prevent disease and promote better health?" This wasn't research—this was community-driven problem-solving at its most authentic.
Celebrating a Milestone
The partnership with PAEV, UNICEF, and Malembe Rise reached a milestone in October with the completion of six pit latrines, a handwashing station, and a solar well. But the true story lies beneath the infrastructure. Our team worked tirelessly to integrate students into every aspect of the project, challenging the traditional top-down approach of large NGOs.
While challenges remain—particularly with the solar well's functionality—this journey exemplifies our core belief: sustainable change comes from within the community.
The solar well stands as a metaphor for our work. Not perfect, not complete, but a testament to persistence. We continue to challenge the narrative, to place power back into the hands of local leaders who understand their challenges most intimately.
Community Education
In a world where change often seems impossible, the Club of Leaders proves that young people are the most powerful agents of transformation. This fall, our students demonstrated extraordinary innovation and community leadership.
They didn't just learn about sustainability—they lived it.
From demonstrating practical health solutions to mothers at a local health center to creating their own liquid detergent, these young leaders are turning knowledge into action.
At the Bien Aimés Health Center, four selected students educated mothers about the multiple uses of ash, showcasing their research and commitment to community health. In a remarkable display of applied learning, they even developed their own liquid detergent, transforming simple ingredients into a practical solution.
The Fete de Presentation
In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a celebration of hope and progress unfolded that perfectly captures the transformative power of community-driven change. In November, our board members Brad Long and Nick Reich, accompanied by US Country Director Sarah Castor-Johnson, embarked on a meaningful journey to connect directly with our dedicated team and the remarkable Club of Leaders.
The pinnacle of our visit was the annual "Fete de Presentation" at Hebrone—an extraordinary event that was nothing short of a testament to human potential. Imagine a vibrant gathering of over 200 community members, students, parents, and distinguished guests, all united by a shared vision of progress. The students took center stage, their voices ringing out through powerful songs and dynamic skits that eloquently portrayed "Hebrone Then and Now"—a narrative of remarkable transformation.
This wasn't just an event; it was a living, breathing illustration of how targeted public health and hygiene initiatives can reshape entire communities. Each performance, each song, each moment was a celebration of accomplishment and a bold declaration of continued commitment to positive change.
We weren't just witnesses to progress—we were participants in a moment of collective optimism and hope.
Help us pave the way for a better tomorrow through your investment.
This work doesn't happen by accident. It requires consistent support, resources, and belief in the potential of young people.
Your donation does more than fund a program—it fuels innovation, empowers future leaders, and creates sustainable solutions to complex community challenges.
Empower students to continue their education, grow as leaders, and transform their communities. Every dollar drives hands-on learning, innovation, and hope.
Malembe Malembe!
When we invest in education, when we support local leadership, and when we empower communities to take charge of their own health and future, extraordinary things happen.
Your contributions fund:
$25: Sponsor a student’s journey in the Club of Leaders for 12 months.
$50: Expand the Club of Leaders' impact through Community Learning Circles.
$100: Inspire growth with engaging activities, fun games, and self-led leadership roles.
$500: Enable participants to involve their communities in personal and academic growth.
$1,000: Offer students and teachers unique opportunities to explore and learn about the world.
$5,000: Drive a movement—support additional teachers and help scale the Club of Leaders across Congo!