Gerard Kasereka has been an educator for most of his life. After completing high school, Gerard took a position as a teacher at a primary school. The school where he worked was under the CBCA (Baptist Churches in Central Africa) umbrella and he soon transitioned to a new role as a Pedagogical Assistant with the organization. The leadership of CBCA recognized potential in Gerard and in 1988 he became the Head of HR—a position he holds to this day.

Currently, CBCA oversees 792 schools from Uvira to Orientale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In total, these schools employ over 8,500 teachers and educate over 228,000 children.

Gerard’s influence within this sprawling organization is significant—in addition to his HR responsibilities he also oversees training for administrators, teachers, and principals throughout the country. With a Master’s degree in Educational Quality and Leadership, he specializes in oral communication and active and participatory pedagogy.

Gerard’s service extends beyond his role with CBCA as he also organizes retreats and bible studies for youth and young adults, offers counselling for couples, teaches Sunday school, and serves as an elder at his church.

Gerard’s regular engagement with people of all ages around the country provides him with a unique opportunity for influence. His vision is to bring about spiritual, social, economic, and educational transformation throughout the DRC by continuing to offer highly impactful training sessions, workshops, and conferences. He also wants to keep improving as a team leader in CBCA by effectively utilizing everyone’s skills and promoting an abundant mindset.

Gerard believes attending ALI will help him accomplish these goals. ALI’s emphasis on multiplying impact and utilizing local assets aligns with Gerard’s work and Congolese alumni encouraged him to apply. He is looking forward to sharing what he’s learned at ALI in all of his workshops and in his workplace—it is obvious that empowering Gerard to attend ALI will result in hundreds of other Congolese leaders growing as influencers in their communities.