Twinning is an initiative of the De La Salle Christian Brothers (Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools) that encourages Districts that are financially able to aid those most in need. In the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN), middle and secondary schools in United States and Toronto are twinned with 15 ministries in four countries in the Lwanga District of Africa: Kenya, Nigeria, Eritrea and Ethiopia. While the RELAN schools help support the Lwanga ministries financially, the students also build relationships as brothers and sisters in the Lasallian family to share challenges, accomplishments, stories and experiences.
The program began in 1995 in response to a call from the Institute to financially assist economically poor Districts and new Districts that were forming. A goal was to help these Districts achieve financial self-sufficiency in the long term.
The high cost of education in Africa presents a major challenge for most students who are financially poor and even without families in some cases. Therefore, the ministries subsidize much of the cost. To limit additional costs, students in Africa are responsible for many chores on campus, including cleaning buildings and maintaining grounds, growing food, and preparing, serving, and cleaning up after meals. Ministries use twinning donations for tuition assistance, maintenance and expansion of school facilities, the purchase of books and class materials, and other essential school expenses.
Twinning Resources
- Prayer – Lent version
- Prayer – short version
- Logo (jpeg)
- Map
- Remittance form
- Lwanga District website
- Lasallian Region of Africa (RELAF) website
- Twinning stories
Regional Twinning Coordinator
Elizabeth Jodice
ejodice@cbconf.org
202-529-0047 x105
Christian Brothers Conference coordinates RELAN’s twinning program, facilitates communication between twinned schools, and serves as a resource center.