For this year’s FIRST Global Challenge whose theme is “Discover & Recover,” Team DRC has been represented by the youth from local schools in the eastern DRC.

In this part of the country, this year was particularly marked by an unforeseen volcanic eruption (caused by the lack of adequate equipment for research), a hard-to-understand virus that caused a lot of damage nationally and locally, nationwide lockdown that caused schools to be closed for much of the year, the armed conflicts still present in the region, etc.

The theme is timely during this moment when our population must Discover: learn from situations that have caused harm, and Recover: have solutions for the future in order to avoid these catastrophes.

Despite challenges due to COVID-19, late Kits delivery, difficulties to find reliable internet connection, multiple power cuts and lack of sponsorship, this year’s participants have surpassed themselves by tackling without any fear what was very new to them and rather difficult. Team DRC has decided to go through with the competition and do the most to “Learn”, “Work”, “Have fun” and be the pioneers of STEM in their community.

We are team DR Congo, and we are here to “Discover & Recover.” Go DRC!