Executive Story
In 2016 the Bishop of the Lexington Diocese, Bishop John Stowe O.F.M accepted the invitation to
celebrate Mass with the Catholic Congolese community in their native Swahili language. This opportunity
to gather the Congolese Catholic Community together with our American Catholic community, united in God through our Catholic faith was a remarkable experience of worshiping.
From that day Bishop John recommended JOTO MBIRIZI to take the message to all Congolese Catholic
peoples to come back to the church and promote our Catholic faith and promised them the Swahili Mass
program opening soon. Joto accepted this charge from Bishop John and became a leader of the
Congolese Community here in Lexington, KY.
After two years the Catholic Congolese Community was growing, being supported by the Lexington
parishes, among them St. Peter Claver Parish, Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Christ the King
Cathedral, Newman Center Holy Spirit Parish, and others.
In August 2018 Joto Mbirizi founded the Kentucky Congolese Catholic Association (KCCA). This vision
came when I saw many members of our community here in Lexington facing big problems of faith,
language, jobs, culture, transportation, environment, etc. In Congo DR, because of war many children
are orphans and women become widows resulting in serious life problems.
Called to address these problems affecting the widows, orphans, single mothers, elderly in both
Lexington, Kentucky and Congo DR, I contacted Ms. Mary Rashidi and some parishioners, both American
and Congolese from different parishes, to join in and to support this vision, forming the KCCA board. Our
mission is Hope and help for tomorrow. In Congo DR we support 100 orphans, 105 widows, 50 elderly
and more peoples with disability, we provided school supplies, school fees, health care for the orphans
every year, and we have a farm and fishing boat for providing food for orphans and widows, also
providing some jobs for the community. We also have a community center where women are trained
without cost to sew, preparing them with a livelihood and a better future. We will continue to build the
community as led by God to Hope and Help others for tomorrow.
Joto Mbirizi
Founder
Kentucky Congolese Catholic Association was formed from both native Congolese and American Catholics from various Lexington parishes. We are learning about each other's culture and how to help the Congolese community both here and in the Congo. An affiliated board in Uvira, Congo is responsible for carrying out our programs in Congo and reporting back to us. The keep us informed on the successes and needs of the orphans, widows and single mothers that we are helping. It was the board in Congo that told us of the need for a farm to grow maize to feed the people. With a generous donation, we made that happen. They told us about an opportunity for a fishing operation on Lake Tanganyika. Again, our generous donors made it possible for us to purchase a boat, motor, nets and equipment to make happen! The fishing business is now providing jobs for about ten people and food from the fishing operation is being provided to the community!
Uvira students wearing uniforms supplied by
Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School
(Lexington, KY)
"Our Mission is to hope and help for tomorrow. Education is help and hope. Without education it is nothing." Joto Mbirizi, KCCA founder
Lexington, KY
Uvira, Congo
Lexington KY, USA
Uvira, DRC
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