Primary School, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bijojo / Democratic Republic of the Congo
Why this project matters
In the mountainous region of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, access to education is severely limited by geography, poverty and inadequate infrastructure. Many schools in the region were unsafe, poorly lit and unusable during the rainy season. Article 25 worked with Children in Crisis UK and local NGO Eben-Ezer Ministries to help design and deliver new, resilient learning spaces for the community of Bijojo.
The design
Through a participatory design process, Article 25 collaborated closely with the local community to ensure the school facilities would meet their specific needs. The final design features two six-classroom blocks, a community meeting room, a head teacher’s office, and a covered area for play and group activities. The climate-responsive architecture includes masonry walls, reinforced concrete tie beams, and metal roofs with carefully positioned windows to maximise light and heat retention in the high-altitude environment.
The impact
The school was constructed with extensive community involvement - from sourcing materials to housing the construction team - strengthening local ownership and long-term sustainability.
Completed in 2010, the school led to a significant increase in enrolment, including an eightfold rise in attendance by marginalised children. It now serves 350 pupils and also doubles as a literacy centre and community hub. This project is a powerful example of how good design and community collaboration can transform access to education in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
PROJECT TYPE: Education
PARTNERS: Children in Crisis UK and Eben-Ezer Ministries International Democratic Republic of Congo
STATUS: Construction completed in 2010
