30 Dec Your Support Helps Congolese Women Rise, 28th Class Graduates from the City of Joy
A Blessing, a Center of Rebirth and Love:
City of Joy Celebrates 28th Graduation Ceremony
Photo: Carlos Schuler
On 19 December 2025, the City of Joy celebrated the graduation of its 28th class, bringing the total number of women whose pain has been transformed into power to 2,407. On this day, 85 women reintegrated into their communities — a powerful milestone in our ongoing work to support Congolese women survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
In her address, Christine Schuler Deschryver, co-founder and director of the City of Joy and V-Day Congo, spoke about the war in eastern DRC, underscoring the continued advance of armed groups across North and South Kivu, where nearly all City of Joy graduates live. She honored Congolese women – especially those in the east – who endure the direct and devastating consequences of war: targeted violence, famine, rape, malnutrition, hunger, infections, displacement, and more.
Christine described the security situation in Bukavu since February 2025, when the city fell under new control, and its impact on the 28th class. She praised the bravery, resilience and vision of the staff and residents of the City of Joy who agreed to aim for the achievement of the objectives despite the shootings, kidnappings, assassinations, lack of transport and profound uncertainty. Even the closure of banks, halting cash flow and imposing costly commissions on any withdrawal, could not stop their work.
The graduates’ personal transformations moved everyone present. Women who were nearly unrecognizable upon arrival at City of Joy emerged as roses, warriors, butterflies ready to soar, ambassadors of peace, dancers, actresses, and powerful advocates for change.
Photos: Carlos Schuler
The residents’ spokesperson shared:
“We are survivors, but our lives did not end. We are proud to have left the abyss. The City of Joy has given us a flame that will remain lit and illuminate our lives. The City of Joy has been a blessing, a center of rebirth and love that we have received, that we feel, and that we will share with our families and by forgiving our perpetrators. The City of Joy has given us the opportunity to become free.”
Artists, drummers, dancers, and comedians brought the ceremony to life, denouncing patriarchy, misogyny, and the forces that continue to undermine women’s rights, and calling for continued collective resistance and transformation.
We thank V, the V-Day team, and all our donors and supporters for their love and endless support.
– Christine Schuler Deschryver & the team at City of Joy
READ the Graduation report
LEARN about City of Joy
Support Congolese Women Turning Their Pain to Power –
Support the Work of City of Joy
At the City of Joy, young women turn their pain into power, healing themselves as they work to transform the Congo. Through a six-month residency rooted in therapy, education, and leadership training, each class of emerging leaders graduates ready to advance change across the Congo – in journalism, sustainable agriculture, the nonprofit sector, and more. Their grassroots work meets urgent needs on the ground, while modeling a future where women’s leadership shapes the path forward.
This Giving Season, we invite you to stand with them.
Your gift directly supports survivors as they heal, learn, and lead.
V-Day is a California 501(c)(3) public charity and is one of the Top-Rated organizations on both Charity Navigator and Guidestar. 31 December is the last day to make charitable donations in order to claim them on your 2025 tax return.
Sierra Club magazine profiles the City of Joy
In their Winter issue, edited by actor, activist and V-Day board member Rosario Dawson, the City of Joy and V-World Farm are profiled by Olivia Acland. “At the City of Joy, Women Learn to Farm, Heal, and Lead” features interviews with Christine Schuler Deschryver, Jane Mukunilwa, Siou Borauzima and V.
In the article, Siou shares – her voice rising with excitement as she talks about her work, “The farm is like medicine to me. It is a peaceful place, a paradise, a place where you do not hear gunshots. And when you love nature, when you care for it, it gives back.” With gratitude to Rosario and the team at Sierra Club for this powerful piece.
READ the article: “At the City of Joy, Women Learn to Farm, Heal, and Lead”