Help me get to Harvard & transform Education in Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second-largest country in Africa and one of the most resource-rich nations in the world. It holds over 60% of the world’s cobalt and vast reserves of gold, copper, and rare earth minerals; all critical for the global green economy.

But resources alone don’t build a country. People do.

Congo is rich. But without education, we will remain poor.

Hi, I’m Assina Kahamba.

I’m a school principal in Kinshasa, leading a girls’ school where dreams are big but where the system doesn’t always allow those dreams to grow.

Recently, I have been admitted to Harvard University to pursue a Master’s in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship.

By May 3, 2025, I need to raise $79200 or I will lose my place.

This program will equip me with the tools and network I need to transform education in Congo.

But I can’t do it alone.

This isn’t just about me , it’s about Congo’s future.

Without quality education, we cannot fight poverty.

We cannot create jobs.

We cannot sustain peace.

Even with all our minerals, our true wealth lies in minds, and minds are shaped by teachers.

Why me? Why now?

Because I know what it’s like to push through a broken system.

Before I ever led a school, I studied engineering at the Faculty of Polytechnique in Kinshasa. Too few women made it through. In my final year, we were the only two women left. We faced outdated curricula, endless strikes, and little support, yet we finished.

That experience shaped me.

It made me ask: Why do students and teachers have to work twice as hard just to get the basics? Why aren’t we building schools and systems that match our potential?

These are the questions that led me to education.

Since then, I’ve committed myself to building something better:

I lead an all-girls school where excellence and values go hand-in-hand.

Over the past few years, 116 students have graduated.

In 2024, the top recipient of the First Lady Scholarship Program came from our school.

During the pandemic, I helped teachers keep learning alive through WhatsApp. With limited resources but incredible commitment, we ensured no student was left behind.

I launched a digital curriculum from Grade 1 to Grade 12, teaching our students coding, digital literacy, and how to dream bigger in a tech-driven world.

I foster strong relationships with parents, creating a collaborative environment where families feel involved in their children’s education.

Our school is a place where students love to read, and where we actively encourage a love of learning beyond the classroom.

But what I’m most proud of?

It’s how I expand horizons.

I bring in inspiring speakers.

I organize visits to powerful places.

I help students and teachers believe that their efforts matter and that they can change their lives and communities.

Why Harvard?

Because the problems we face are structural and I want to build solutions that last.

I want to create a teacher training academy in Congo:

A place that blends academic rigor with a human touch.

Where teachers don’t wait for ideal conditions, they start with what they have.

Where training is not just about technique, but about purpose.

The need is urgent:

By 2050, Congo will have 218 million people. Almost half will be under 20; that’s 105 million youth.

And yet:

We can’t unlock our nation’s potential without equipping those who educate.

Here’s my dream:

Why I need you?

I’ve built a lot with little.

Now I want to scale this work, and Harvard is the next step.

Tuition and housing is $79,200.

If 792 people give $100, I’ll get there.

You can help by:

Contributing here → https://gofund.me/19697f18

Learning more about me → www.koyekola.com

Sharing this message with someone who believes in the power of education

This isn’t just about going to Harvard.

It’s about building a Congo where: