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War continues in eastern DRC, but African Leadership is serving at the front lines
When systems failed in Kibumba, neighbors became the support system that helped rebuild hope. Jeremie tells the story below.
They Chose to Stay
In eastern DRC, a region rich in natural resources and cultural diversity, communities have endured decades of conflict, instability, and crisis. Over the years, these crises have continued to repeat themselves, leaving life in a state of ongoing instability. Since 2020, security, humanitarian, and political crises have only continued to worsen.
Millions of people and thousands of families have been forced to live as displaced persons within their own country. War has forced them to abandon their fields, destroy their investments, endure the loss of human life and property, and live with families separated. As a result, vulnerability in this region has only deepened over the decades, leaving families without means of survival. Even state institutions have often found themselves powerless to respond to community needs.
Over the last year and a half, the crisis has taken another turn. Rebel forces have grown in power and expanded their reach. As a result, a significant part of eastern DRC has fallen under their control. State institutions and many basic services—including financial services, banks, NGOs, and others—have withdrawn, leaving the population to its fate.
Supply routes were blocked, as was the airport. Everything fell under rebel control. Millions of people living in camps were given only 48 hours to leave, and the camps were demolished, forcing families to return to their places of origin without any support measures in place.
Communities were left wounded, broken, stripped of everything, and exposed to many forms of suffering and abuse. The only resources that remained were the air in their lungs and the warmth of a neighbor standing beside them amid the ruins and ashes left by war.
When systems of security failed in Kibumba, neighbors became the support system that helped rebuild hope.
Each community found itself plunged into the struggle to revive and restore life. Here, faith nourished the destiny of these communities and made the heart of reconstruction beat. At the forefront of these initiatives were religious leaders. Every effort to rebuild from nothing was tested as communities worked to adapt. With empty hands and little support, life still had to be sustained.
In this eastern region, AL works alongside vulnerable communities through leaders and churches. The need to support rebuilding efforts is felt more than ever. This motivates community recovery and supports the restoration not only of social balance, but also of economic life. This is being experienced in many places where AL operates.
This is the case in Kibumba, an area with significant humanitarian needs, lacking access to clean drinking water and facing alarming food insecurity. Yet despite these hardships, local communities and leaders remained committed to ensuring the survival of the people in this region, which has suffered for so long.
They refused to remain silent.
They began building ideas, systems, and collective action that could restore life. With support from AL Congo, these leaders chose to stay - to serve and work on the front lines to produce and rebuild. Through these leaders, we raised the banner. Building autonomy within a community is not a short journey.
We expanded programs beyond the classroom by integrating agriculture. Students and communities began cultivating fields together, planting potatoes and cabbage not only to provide food, but to strengthen resilience. Students formed savings groups. Families began dreaming again. Some hope to buy livestock. Others dream of building homes, paying school fees, or starting businesses.
I have seen so many initiatives come from this that connect people again. Those who have resources share with those who do not. Farmers no longer go to the fields alone; they travel and work together. Through togetherness and cooperation, communities actively fight back against insecurity as they watch each other's backs.
Kibumba has taught us something important: when systems collapse, do not panic. Look at the sky and remain focused. The solution is often around us.
We believe in the power of humble beginnings, and we pray God multiplies these modest efforts of local leaders. Kibumba reminds us that courage is not the absence of struggle, but the decision to act despite it.
Even in the hardest places, transformation begins when communities choose to stand together in faith and courage.
Thank you for standing with us,
Jeremie Hangi | Executive Director African Leadership Congo
Leaders like Jeremie continue serving their communities because people like you stand with them.
Field Updates
Field Updates
📍 South Africa
In South Africa, Allan recently launched a prayer initiative connected to the upcoming World Cup with a vision much larger than the event itself. His hope is to help students and leaders look beyond their immediate surroundings and develop a broader heart for nations, cultures, and people around the world.
Allan reflected on how God has often used global events in unexpected ways. He shared a story from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when members of the North Korean football team encountered opportunities to receive Bibles and engage with the Gospel. Stories like these remind us that God often uses unexpected moments to create Kingdom impact. Allan's prayer is that this initiative sparks deeper curiosity, broader vision, and renewed commitment to prayer among leaders across the network.
📍 South Sudan
South Sudan continues navigating political tensions, economic pressures, and uncertainty surrounding upcoming elections. Yet amid these realities, local leaders continue faithfully investing in communities and showing up for those around them.
Cosmas shared encouragement that classes remain active and preparations are underway for an upcoming graduation in early June. In seasons marked by instability, moments like these become meaningful reminders that growth continues taking place. Even amid uncertainty, leaders continue being equipped and hope continues taking root.
📍 Malawi
Malawi is currently facing significant national challenges, including fuel shortages and long daily power outages that continue affecting transportation, businesses, and daily life. These realities are deeply impacting communities and creating uncertainty for many families.
Yet even amid these challenges, leaders continue preparing for an exciting opportunity ahead. In June, Malawi will host its fourth Chiefs Graduation Ceremony, where local chiefs are expected to gather alongside members of their communities. Leaders are praying this will become more than a celebration - that it will become a rare and meaningful opportunity for many to hear the Gospel and experience transformation.
Stay tuned for next months field update where we will be sharing about the Chief classes, their origin, and how graduation went.
Special Update From Kenya!
Some of our team just got back from visiting one of our long time partners: New Dawn Educational Center in Kenya! One of the most encouraging moments from the trip was watching Tabitha lead with intentionality. She embraced the invitation to dream creatively about how every person on the team could contribute, creating space for coaching, mentorship, student discussions, staff encouragement, and community connection. Her leadership reminded us that meaningful impact often begins by inviting others to fully participate.
Pray With Us
Pray for provision and peace
Please pray for Asrat and the team in Ethiopia as ongoing fuel shortages continue affecting transportation, class materials, and ministry operations across the country. Pray for provision, wisdom, and peace amid continued tensions in northern Ethiopia, as well as safety as Asrat travels over 700km this week to celebrate a graduation.
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
🇨🇩 DR Congo
Pray for wisdom and health among our network
Please continue praying for peace and stability across eastern DRC. Two weeks ago, a deadly Ebola epidemic was declared in this occupied zone. Every day, every hour, the number of deaths and infections continues to rise. The city of Goma is now suffocating, with all areas closed off. The weight of suffering is truly increasing. Please join us in this fight through your prayers and supplications; may God come to their aid.
Pray for endurance
South Sudan continues navigating political tensions, economic pressures, and uncertainty surrounding upcoming elections. Please pray for stability across the nation during this season. Also pray for leaders like Cosmas, who continue faithfully showing up and investing in their communities despite ongoing challenges. As classes remain active and preparations continue for an upcoming graduation in June, please pray for these graduates futures.
🇸🇸 South Sudan
Pray for provision and wisdom
Please pray for leaders and communities across Uganda as fuel shortages and rising costs continue creating challenges throughout the country. Pray for provision, endurance, and practical resources as leaders faithfully continue investing in students and strengthening their communities. As new groups prepare to launch and another graduation approaches, pray that growth would continue and that Geoffrey’s reminder remains true: despite changing circumstances, we would continue putting our trust in God and moving forward together.
🇺🇬 Uganda
We invite you to share your own prayer requests below, our team prays over each one.
Missed last month’s update? Check it out here!
Thank you for being part of a community that chooses hope,
even when the future feels uncertain.
