The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is excited to welcome NASA astronaut Robert Curbeam back to the DRC! We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo missions that sent 12 Americans to the moon from 1969 to 1972. It was the Apollo pioneers that made spaceshuttle missions and the building of the Space Station possible! …

On Saturday, June 24, 2016 last took place the second issue of national volunteer program designed by the alumni of exchange programs sponsored by the US government.Lubumbashi to Kinshasa, via Mbuji-Mayi, Kalemie, Bukavu, Goma, Kisangani and Mbandaka, alumni of US government exchange programs were likely to go down in their respective communities to provide free …

The Ambassador’s Special Self Help Funds are designed to support and aid in building local communities.  We were impressed with our first visit to Ngwanza Schools. This orderly complex, located in the low-income community of Kimbanseke, educates children from pre-school  through high school. Classrooms were clean, spacious, and well lit. Students can utilize after-school study …

ARS Guest speaker Beverly Ott held a series of workshops on entrepreneurship in the Great Lakes Region of Eastern Congo from April 13 to April 19. Beverly held multiple programs, both working directly with vulnerable problems, and holding training of trainers to build capacity. Using discussions and role-playing, she shared information on effective leadership and …

The U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, James C. Swan, inaugurated the American Space in Goma, Nord Kivu province on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in partnership with La Maison des Jeunes.  Ambassador Swan and Father Wilvin Alberto Rodriguez officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding and cut the ribbon to open the American …

On March 14th, U.S. Intern Mira Reynolds spoke at the CALI English Club about women’s history. She gave a brief presentation of American women in society and how their roles have changed throughout time, and then led a discussion about the role women play in society today. Over 50 people attended both two-hour sessions, and …

On March 10, 2016, at the American Corner Limete, an enthusiastic crowd gathered to hear Public Affair Section staff present about the requirements for the small grants program. The presentation was the first public test of an information package to be distributed throughout the DRC. The audience responded positively, and eagerly requested multiple sessions of …

On February 12 to 14, 2016,  the US Embassy sponsored the Amani Festival, a festival promoting peace, in the city of Goma, North Kivu. During the festival, the US Embassy staffed two booths, providing festival-goers with both in-person information on different programs and a chance to win prizes through demonstrating their knowledge of the United …

From 18 January to 5 February 2016, American and Congolese military instructors conducted the third iteration of the Magistrate Basic Course in Lubumbashi, DRC.  Instructors trained 44 judges, prosecutors and conseiller juridiques on Human Rights Law, the Law of Armed Conflict, the Congolese Military Justice and Trial Advocacy.

On February 9, 2016, INL Africa and Middle East Office Director Tony Fernandes met with the American Bar Association and the Prosecutor General’s Office in Goma to discuss the need for improved prosecutions of sexual and gender-based violence cases. The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Staff expressed support for improved forensic investigations …

The Embassy signed a contract to provide two solar light systems for the delivery and operation rooms of the maternity, and December 15, 2015, the DCM inaugurated the recently installed solar light systems.  Upon arrival at the maternity, the DCM and the SSH team were graciously greeted by a compassionate, professional team of workers.  They …

On World AIDS Day, we remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and we recommit ourselves to fighting and preventing HIV/AIDS and to comforting those infected and their loved ones. The United States is working with its partners around the world to turn the tide against HIV/AIDS.On this World AIDS Day 2015, imagine …

From November 2 to 12, 2015, US Embassy Kinshasa hosted two speakers, to conduct workshops: David Applefield, journalist and media specialist, who discussed media strategies and ethics with media owners and journalists, and Teresa Calkins, media management consultant, who trained media owners and media executives on how to make their business profitable. Teresa Calkins also …

U.S. Ambassador James C. Swan, and Minister of Primary and Secondary Schools Maker Mwangu Famba, officially opened the National English Language Symposium (NELS) on October 14, 2015 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. NELS was organized by Dr. Bryce Smedley, Senior English Language Fellow with Congo American Language Institute (CALI), a part of the U.S. Embassy …

On September 22, The International Center for the AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) inaugurated two renovated laboratories located in “Hôpital General de Reference de Ndjili (HGR Ndjili)” and “Centre Mère et Enfant de Ngaba (CME Ngaba)”. In addition to the renovation, laboratory and computer equipment were donated and medical staff were trained in the …

On August 20, 2015  Embassy Kinshasa inaugurated a Teacher training Resource Center (TRC) in Mbandaka, Equateur.  Over 100 new English  teaching books were provided by the U.S. Embassy’s Congo American Language Institute (CALI). English conversational books level 1 to 3 including English Club books will be available or teachers and students to use. The project …

The U.S. Embassy’s congo -American Language Institute (CALI) was pleased to offer ISP Teacher college in Kikwit and Ngungu in Bandundu province a donation of English books to enhance the schools’ English language program. CALI was represented by Senior English Language Fellow Dr. Bryce Smedley.

On July 7, 2015, U.S. Embassy in the DRC inaugurated a new analysis and tasting coffee center of the National Coffee Office (ONC-Bukavu) with support from USAID and the Buffet Foundation. Governor of South Kivu Marcellin Cishambo; Director of ONC Mr. Saiba Nzanzu; USAID/DRC Mission Director Dr. Diana Putman; and President of Kalehe Arabica Coffee …

On June 10, 2015, USAID/DRC Mission Director Dr. Diana Putman officially introduced the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) School of Pharmacy’s Strategic Plan for 2016 to 2020 to the Minister of Higher Education (ESU), Mr. Théophile Mbemba Fundu. The Strategic Plan lays out four short, medium and long-term goals for the School of Pharmacy, as well …

The Adam Larson Quartet, an American Jazz group on a musical exchange through American Music Abroad, collaborated with Polyv’art, a local community based arts NGO and with the professional Congolese jazz group-JazzYaKongo from April 11-16, 2015 .The group led a two day workshop with young artists from Masina, a highly populated, poor area of Kinshasa with …

The Centre d’Encadrement des Filles Meres,  located in Tshikaji, near Kananga (Kasai Occidental), is a small training center for single mothers, supported by the Embassy’s Special Self-Help Fund in August 2014  along with five other groups. The center has been functioning since 2007.  Over the years, 198 ladies have graduated from a 12-month program of …

From February 24th  to 27th  the Embassy’s Office of Security Cooperation led a seminar on elections and security for a diverse group that included members from the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), NGOs, political party representatives, members of the media as well as representatives from the police and the national army. The seminar, which aimed …

During the month of February, to commemorate Black History Month, IRC visitors met every Wednesday to watch and discuss the documentary “America beyond the Color Line.” The documentary discusses the life of African Americans, who have inspired the African American community, such as General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley; …

On January 29, 2015, PAO Ellen Masi was an honored guest at the official launch of the fourth edition of the Protestant University of the Congo’s (UPC’s) student magazine “UPC Today”.  Ellen’s remarks highlighted the importance of English in the world today, a subject that was also featured in the article she was asked to write …

The US Embassy Kinshasa welcomed U.S. Arts Envoy Christine Kuhn who worked with Congolese artists and students from November to December 2014 to create three beautiful public murals in Kinshasa, Matadi and Bukavu.  The murals supported messages of partnership and women’s empowerment while highlighting the talent of young Congolese artists.   They were part of a …

On Nov. 21, 2014, USAID launched a new health project to Support International Family Planning Organizations (SIFPO) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project aims to improve mother and child health through activities including family planning, HIV/AIDS, diarrhea treatment, and water and sanitation. SIFPO will promote healthier behaviors and support the distribution of …

Senior English Language Fellow Bryce Smedley conducted a three day workshop with local secondary school teachers in Kisangani, Orientale Province.  During this workshop, teachers got the chance to use new teaching resources and learn ways to incorporate issues like democracy, gender equality, human rights and diversity into English lessons. They also learned new methodologies to …

Women of Courage Winner Solange Lusiku interviewed by NPR “Journalism is my calling, the print media is my struggle and independence is my motto,” says 42-year-old Solange Lusiku Nsimire, a Congolese editor and mother of six. And it’s hard to imagine a more difficult place to be a journalist than the Democratic Republic of Congo …

Embassy Kinshasa sponsored Rhythm in Motion, a musical and dance performance that commemorated Black History Month and highlighted the contributions of Africans and African-Americans to mainstream American dance.  Over 300 people attended the event on March 1, 2014. The performance included Congolese drummers, dancers and student musicians. The dance performance illustrated the influence of African …

During the last week of February, the Embassy’s Office of Security Cooperation organized a DIILS training on the rule of law for 2,000 new recruits of the DRC army and the inauguration of English labs in military academies in two DRC cities (Kinshasa and Kananga), as well as an all-female civil military operations(CMO) training. During …

The Amani Peace Festival, which was partially funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy, was held from February 14th-16th in Goma, North Kivu.  The Festival was organized by local residents who believe that community must play a central role in promoting peace and security in their region.  The concert was extremely successful, drawing huge …