OUR MISSION
To create young leaders through educational justice by providing Congolese children with the food, tools, and support they need to stay in school and thrive.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to lay every brick needed to build a brighter future for the DRC—starting with schools, expanding through opportunity, and rising into a future shaped by a new generation of leaders.
Our Values
Community First
We believe true progress starts at the community level. Every effort we make is rooted in local needs, voices, and leadership.
Education as a Catalyst
We see education as the cornerstone of empowerment and opportunity. Our programs are designed to open doors and expand futures.
Integrity in Action
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and transparency—in everything from our partnerships, stewardship, and to our project execution.
Cultural Pride
We honor and preserve Congolese heritage. Our work uplifts without erasing, and builds on the strength of our shared identity.
Leadership Development
We invest in cultivating the next generation of local leaders—visionaries who will shape the future of the DRC.
Sustainable Impact
We focus on solutions that last—building long-term infrastructure, relationships, and systems that empower communities to thrive independently.
About us
Our History
Buendedi was born in 2018 from a shared desire between two Congolese natives—Pierre Kapiamba Mbala and Laurent Tshiebue Kapiamba—to address the alarmingly low high school completion rates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Fueled by personal ties to the region and a deep commitment to community upliftment, they began their grassroots work by selling handmade accessories crafted by Congolese artisans. The proceeds helped launch Buendedi’s first scholarship initiative, aimed at supporting local students in their educational journeys.
Over the next few years, Buendedi steadily expanded its mission, building relationships with
communities, educators, and supporters across both the DRC and the United States. In 2021, the
organization formally applied for and was granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS, officially
recognizing Buendedi as a tax-exempt charitable organization.
Since then, Buendedi has grown its impact—providing scholarships, securing donations of medical equipment, and laying the groundwork for future infrastructure and education projects.
Personal Journey
I see my journey as a flower growing in the garden of life—nourished by
the support of family, community, and access to quality education.
Having personally experienced the life-changing power of scholastic opportunity without the weight of financial burden, I felt deeply called to pay that grace forward.
In 2018, I made a simple yet profound decision: to start giving back right away, without waiting for the perfect moment. That choice, renewed daily, became the foundation of Buendedi.
My hope is that by investing in others, I can spark a chain reaction—where gratitude leads to action, and each empowered student becomes a force of change for the next.
I believe this unrelenting cycle will strengthen the DRC for generations to come.
— Pierre Kapiamba Mbala, Founder
Join Us in Supporting Congolese Youth
Our mission is to keep students in school by providing the resources and support they need to succeed.
From tuition support to mentorship, every effort moves us closer to educational justice in the DRC.
Be part of the change—every donation, share, and purchase helps a child stay in school.
