Love of country at the Kimbilio Mapendo School

kimbilious
6 days ago
2 min read

In January, the Kimbilio Mapendo School honored two of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most influential political figures: Patrice Lumumba and Laurent Kabila. In alignment with the Ministry of National Education's program, the school’s curriculum integrates the patriotism of Lumumba and the nationalism of Kabila into everyday learning. This approach shapes students’ understanding of their country’s history and identity, encouraging a strong sense of pride, responsibility and attachment to the homeland. The Kimbilio Mapendo School is guiding their students to become responsible citizens through learning about rights and duties, national symbols and patriotic gestures such as saluting the flag and singing the national anthem daily.

Enjoy a look at a young student in action, reading information about Lumumba and Kabila to his class.

Patrice-Emery Lumumba was born on July 2, 1925, in Onalua, Belgian Congo, and assassinated on January 17, 1961, near Élisabethville in Katanga. He was a Congolese statesman and the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was one of the key figures in the Congolese independence movement.

Laurent-Désiré Kabila, born in 1940 in Katanga, also followed in this tradition. Inspired by Lumumba's ideals, he became a fervent supporter. Mzee, meaning "the wise one" in Swahili, was the former President of the Republic from May 1997 until January 16, 2001, when he was assassinated. He was the one who succeeded in defeating the dictatorial regime of Marshal Mobutu, who had ruled for 32 years, bringing Zaire to a standstill at the time. He was a national hero for his crucial struggle and for restoring the sovereignty and dignity of the nation and the Congolese people in general.

Here are a few photos from lessons about these two celebrated DRC patriots.