In the village of Ikita, nestled along the shores of Lake Mai-Ndombe in the bay of Lokanga, the Batwa community has transitioned from their nomadic heritage to a more settled way of life. Despite the serene surroundings, life here presents its own set of challenges. In this environment, one individual stands out as a symbol of resilience and aspiration in his community: Boongo Phillip. At 60 years old, Boongo is a dedicated primary school teacher at a school constructed by the Mai Ndombe REDD+ project.
Growing up, Boongo faced significant hardships. His father worked for a logging company in the vast Mai-Ndombe forest, and life as a member of the indigenous Batwa community was difficult. At school, Boongo encountered discrimination, often being mistreated because of his heritage. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically, consistently achieving top marks in his class. This continued until his father lost his job, forcing the family to move to Kinshasa. Financial constraints meant that Boongo had to leave school to find work, putting his educational aspirations on hold.
Years later, he had returned home and found an opportunity to continue his education when the Mai-Ndombe REDD+ project introduced educational bursaries. At the age of 55, he returned to school, enrolling in an institution in a nearby village to where he grew up. His hard work and determination paid off when he successfully passed the national exam in 2019, graduating from high school at the age of 56. This achievement made him a figure of inspiration in Ikita, a village that at the time, lacked its own school.
News of Boongo’s success caught the attention of the Mai-Ndombe REDD+ project management team, who worked with him to support his pursuit of higher education. However, personal circumstances presented another hurdle. His wife fell ill, anchoring him to Ikita. Rather than pursuing further studies, Boongo chose to accept a teaching position at Ikita's newly constructed school, an initiative under the REDD+ project. In this role, he now teaches the next generation, including his own children, fostering a future where education and opportunity are available to all.
Sadly, Boongo's wife passed away, but his dedication to his family and community remains unwavering. "I wish that my children will further their studies and do better than I did. I hope their achievements will uplift my family and the Batwa community," Boongo reflects.
Boongo's journey is a testament to the resilience and transformative power of education. His story highlights the significant role that the Mai-Ndombe REDD+ project has played, not only in conserving the forest in this region but also in investing in the future of communities through educational opportunities. In Ikita, Boongo’s story inspires his community to pursue their own dreams.
This story was originally published on Community Voice: a global collective amplifying the stories of local and Indigenous communities, directly from the fragile ecosystems that are critical to fighting the climate crisis. Community Voice is an initiative of Everland, a specialized conservation marketing organization that exclusively represents the Voluntary Carbon Market's largest portfolio of high-impact, community-centered, forest conservation (REDD+) projects.
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