11 YEARS
TURNING PAIN TO POWER
1902 GRADUATES
Christine Schuler Deschryver , City of Joy ’ s Director , described 2022 as “ a year of intensifying revolutionary efforts in the City of Joy .”
In December 2022 , The City of Joy graduated 85 women in its 22nd training session in women ’ s leadership . The next graduation of the 23rd class will be held in June .
To date , 1902 women have graduated from City of Joy . Graduates currently live in more than 60 villages of South Kivu , North Kivu , Maniema and the city province of Kinshasa .
Despite the challenge of not being able to meet candidates in the field due to Covid and security concerns , COJ was still able to recruit its current class . Recruitment required that staff climb up mountains and travel on foot , by ship , by motorbike and by bus to reach remote villages where the candidates lived .