Iowa Congolese Organization and Center for Healing
Shirika la wa kongomani wa Iowa na kituo cha uponyaji
Umuryango w’abakongomani n’ikibanza co gukiriramo
Iowa Congolese Organization and Center for Healing
MISSION
We strive to empower the Congolese community of Central Iowa by creating economic opportunities and delivering community driven assistance.
VISION
A place in which Congolese of Central Iowa have the means they need to create opportunities to realize their potential and for all to live with dignity.
ICOACH's purpose is to support the Congolese community of central Iowa to heal, educate, advocate and develop programs that expand economic opportunities.
OUR STORY
Violence in the Congo hasn’t changed in recent years.
There are more than 2.5 million displaced Congolese people. Many have suffered from war, poverty, sexual abuse and other human rights violations. And more than half of them are children. These individuals have had poor access to education and virtually no exposure to English.
As a result, Congolese Iowans face language, cultural, emotional and physical barriers that make adjusting to their new home state extremely difficult.
On August 13th, 2004 rebels from the National Liberation Forces brutally attacked the Gatumba refugee camp in western Burundi. ICOACH founder Boaz, as well as many other refugees from the Banyamulenge ethnic group, lost parents, siblings, and dear friends. Since then, nearly 8,000 Congolese people have made a new life in Iowa.
OUR TEAM
The ICOACH team members are all former Congolese refugees who once faced the same challenges newly arrived refugees are facing now. We are all survivors who found the perseverance to create a new community for ourselves in Iowa. As people who now thrive as college graduates, home owners, and faith leaders, we are best able to use our experience to help members of our community.
Boaz Rutekereza Nkingi, Founder & President
Boaz was born and raised in the village called Vyura, in Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2007, Boaz was resettled to Saint Louis Missouri with his mother and two cousins. After Boaz found out that there were other cousins who were resettled in Des Moines he and his mother and cousins decided to move to join them. Boaz holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Media Production and Mass Communication from Grand View University and has two professional Certificates in Nonprofit and National Services serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. Boaz is very passionate about helping people. He loves singing in a choir and enjoys editing PSAs and videos.
BOAZ R NKINGI
Founder & President
MUHUMURE NZABAKIZA
Director of Operations
Muhumure Nzabakiza
CHRIS WITTHOFT
Office Administrator
Chris Witthoft
BONKE NGANIRE
Summer Program Manager
Casey Hexamer
