Mbuji-Mayi, 8 July 2013 – The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) rehabilitated two public buildings, including an elementary school and a court house, in the province of Eastern Kasaï. Both projects were handed over to the provincial authorities in an official ceremony on 28 June 2013.

The first project consisted of renovating and providing new equipment to the Butoka II elementary school in the Kanshi area of Tshilenge district. The 51 year-old school building was totally run down. After the rehabilitation works, MONUSCO equipped each classroom with benches, chairs and desks. The project, which started on 4 December 2012, was completed on 8 May 2013, for the cost of 22,883 US dollars.

Through this renovation, MONUSCO wants to provide optimal learning and teaching conditions for the 3,200 pupils as well as their teachers. As he took delivery of the 10 renovated classrooms, the Governor of the province, thanked MONUSCO for supporting the provincial government's efforts in educating its children.

The second project involved the rehabilitation of the court, known by the French acronym "Tripaix", a short name for "Court of Peace". The project, which cost 23,858 US dollars, was completed in less than five months beginning last February. According to the Head of the United Nations office in Western Kasai, the completion of this project will contribute not only to improving the working environment of the staff, but will also help expedite the handling of legal matters in the province.

These two projects were undertaken under the quick-impact projects program that MONUSCO is undertaking around the country in an effort to improve the living conditions of the Congolese population. Other projects funded in Eastern Kasaï through these quick-impact projects include the renovation of the Mpopyi and Luatsha bridges, the rehabilitation of the Kamaji Hospital, the construction of a market in the town of Lulamba, and a donation of computers to journalists of the province. Between 2012 and 2013, MONUSCO has so far injected 122,492 US dollars into this province to fund such projects.

Marcienne Ngarambe /MONUSCO