Partnership Secured: Building Desks, Building Futures
Dear Friends of Buendedi,
As fall settles in, we’re continuing a new season at Buendedi too! In this issue, we update you on our progress and invite you to join us in what’s next.
Partnership Confirmed: A Milestone Moment in Kinshasa
We are thrilled to announce that our partner school in Kinshasa has officially agreed to join hands with Buendedi! This marks a major milestone for our mission and a new chapter in creating lasting educational impact in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Through recent visits and needs assessments, our team—led by Priscilla Odia—identified one of the school’s most urgent challenges: insufficient classroom seating. Many students currently attend class without proper desks, making it difficult to learn comfortably and focus.
Here’s where the next phase of our work begins:
- The school requires 100–150 new desks to meet current classroom needs..
- We’ve partnered with a local carpenter, signing a formal agreement to ensure fair and sustainable pricing at $45 per desk.
- This partnership gives us a tangible goal to work toward—raising between $4,500 and $6,750 to furnish the classrooms with desks made locally, by Congolese hands.
Each desk represents more than just wood and nails—it’s a seat for a child to learn, dream, and grow. By sourcing craftsmanship locally, we’re not only improving learning conditions but also supporting local economic development and ensuring our impact is both community-led and sustainable.
Stay tuned as we share photos and updates from the production process once the first desks are underway.
Running Toward the Finish Line: Pierre’s Marathon for Change
Our Executive Director, Pierre Mbala, continues his training journey as he prepares for the Phoenix Marathon on December 13th. His run symbolizes the endurance and perseverance of the students Buendedi serves—children who show up every day, ready to learn despite the odds.
This race is part of our End-of-Year Campaign, and Pierre has pledged to match every dollar donated during the campaign personally, doubling the impact for Buendedi’s students.
We are also seeking business sponsors to support both the race and our new Desk Fundraising Goal. If you or someone you know would like to partner with us in this effort, we’d love to connect. Sponsorships not only fund critical classroom improvements but also create lasting community relationships rooted in service and shared purpose..
👉 Follow his journey on Instagram here: @pierre.mlg
Together, we can turn miles into momentum—and hope into tangible change.
Looking Ahead: Join Us
With the Kinshasa partnership now official and Pierre’s marathon campaign underway, Buendedi is entering a season of exciting growth. Every contribution—whether through donations, partnerships, or simple word-of-mouth—moves us closer to putting 150 students behind their own desks.
In the coming weeks, we’ll share more updates on the desk production process, student stories, and sponsorship opportunities. Until then, we invite you to join us in any way you can:
- Donate to help reach our desk goal..
- Connect us with a potential business sponsor.
- Share our story and spread the message of hope and education.
Each step forward is a collective one—and together, we’re not just building desks.
We’re building futures.
How You Can Help
Your support—whether through donations, purchases, or spreading the word—means the world. As we build, here’s how you can make an immediate impact:
Shop handcrafted accessories:
Targeted donations:
Stay informed on progress with the monthly newsletter sign-up form below!
Send this site to someone who cares about education and Africa.
Partner with us: Get involved with volunteering. Know an organization or individual we should meet? Reach out!
Together, we’re laying every brick for a brighter future in the DRC.
With gratitude,
Pierre Mbala
Executive Director, Buendedi
