University offers lifeline to children of fallen soldiers

One university has emerged as a lifeline for hundreds of young people whose lives were shattered after their parents died on battlefields defending their country.

The Université des Martyrs du Congo (University of the Martyrs of the Congo, or UNIM) in the heart of Goma, the capital of North Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is now in its second year.

It was established with a single mission: to provide free higher education to children of military personnel, police officers and the victims of ongoing conflicts.

Founded with the recognition that many young Congolese are denied the opportunity to pursue higher education in the aftermath of war, this university has quickly become a symbol of hope for those who have lost almost everything.

In the aftermath of national elections in the DRC in December 2023, severe clashes between the military and insurgents continue in eastern DRC. According to the Global Conflict Tracker website, more than 100 non-state armed groups are active in the region.

As fighting continues, the UNIM stands as a beacon for students who, until now, had no access to the opportunities many others take for granted.

A second chance

For students like Nathanaël Nsengi, a former displaced person from Rutshuru in North Kivu province (in the east), the UNIM represents much more than just a place of learning: it is a second chance.

“I have been displaced for over a year now,” Nsengi said, his voice filled with gratitude and frustration. “Before this, I was studying at the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique [Higher Teaching Institute] in Rutshuru. But, when the violence forced me to flee, I thought my dreams were over,” he added.

Nsengi’s story is just one example of many. The university was specifically created to support students who, like him, have faced tremendous adversity.

“The university offers a pathway for us to continue our education, gain meaningful qualifications and, with that, we are hopeful that we will be able to build a brighter future,” Nsengi, who studies English, noted.

The idea behind UNIM came from the recognition that children of fallen soldiers, as well as those displaced by the war, deserved a future just as much as any other citizen.

“We created this university for those who have not had the opportunity to continue their studies in a normal way,” said Jean-Pierre Bemba, the Congolese defence minister.

He said the university was born from the desire to honour the sacrifices made by the nation’s military and police.

“This university will serve as a lifeline for the children of military personnel and police officers who have given their lives in defence of the country. These students deserve the opportunity to become useful citizens, to become leaders who contribute to the rebuilding of our country,” he added.

Social initiative

His words highlight the underlying philosophy of the university: it is not just an educational institution, but a social initiative designed to help heal the wounds of war.

In just two years, the university has enrolled over 800 students, offering a range of faculties, including political history, criminology, agronomy, network technology, tourism, law, communication sciences, and English.

Beyond its academic offerings, the university’s mission is deeply rooted in social impact. It caters, not only to military families, but to the many displaced individuals who have fled the ongoing conflicts in the region, particularly in Masisi, Rutshuru, and Nyiragongo.

For Job Alisa, vice-chancellor of the university and the brains behind the project, the institution holds personal significance. A senior officer in the Congolese National Police, Alisa was driven by the desire to offer orphans of fallen soldiers a chance beyond the despair of displacement.

“Many children of soldiers who die in combat are left without support,” Alisa said. “Their mothers might try to send them to school but, often, due to a lack of resources, their efforts are in vain. This university is here to change that,” he said.

“Without this support, we risk leaving behind a generation that could turn to violence or crime, like the young armed groups we see in the streets.”

Limited programmes

Despite the overwhelming need for educational opportunities in Goma, the university is still in its early stages and cannot yet offer every field of study.

Many students, like Nsengi, are forced to shift their academic focus in order to take advantage of the university’s free tuition.

“I love maths, but there’s no maths department here. So, I’ve had to change my course of study,” Nsengi said. “But I’m not complaining. I’m just grateful for the chance to learn, to have a future. Goma is full of displaced students, and this university is a real opportunity. I hope more fields of study will be added so that more of us can pursue our true passions,” he said.

In response to this need, the government has already allocated land to build a new, permanent campus for the university. The new campus will include dormitories for both students and staff, as well as additional academic facilities to accommodate a broader range of programmes, according to the university officials.

Rebuilding the nation

For the government, the university is a vital step in healing the scars of war and rebuilding the nation.

“We can’t undo the damage caused by war, but we can give these students the tools to build a better future,” Bemba said.

“This is our investment in the next generation. It’s our way of ensuring that, no matter the horrors of the past, the future can still be bright.”