The Congolese Community of Hamilton (CCH) met on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in the RAFIKI COMMUNITY hall for an extraordinary general meeting, convened by the CCH Board of Directors. In her opening remarks, the President thanked everyone in attendance and read the agenda, which included the following items:
- Election of a chair and a secretary for the meeting.
- Verification of quorum.
- Adoption of the minutes of the last extraordinary general meeting of Dec. 13, 2025.
- Presentation of the CCH’s general management report and the financial report for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
- Discussion and deliberation on the report.
After the agenda was read, the President proposed Mr. Lievin Mubenga as chair of the meeting and Ms. Bébé Malala as secretary. The proposal was moved and seconded by the general meeting.
Taking the floor in turn, the chair of the extraordinary general meeting, Mr. Mubenga, verified the quorum in accordance with section 19.5 of the community’s bylaws and regulations governing the conduct of the general meeting. Handing the floor to the secretary for the third item on the agenda — the reading of the minutes of the CCH extraordinary general meeting of Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 — the minutes were adopted after an amendment made by the general meeting. On the fourth item on the agenda, the President presented her general report on the 2024-2025 year, covering the following points:
- The President’s message
- Introduction of the members of the CCH Board executive
- Community development strategies4. Services offered by the CCH
- Projects completed during the Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025 fiscal year
- Finances
- Future outlook
- Conclusion
As for the members of the CCH Board executive, the following people were introduced:
-President: Nancy Muinda
-Vice-President: Erlinde Mulumba
-Secretary: Nanou Kalombo
-Treasurer: Donat Lumpathie
-Director: Sarah Alangi
-Project Officer: Mankonga Gradi
Regarding community development strategies, for 2024-2025 the Congolese Community of Hamilton launched the “French in Our Homes” project to develop our community by promoting the French language and Congolese culture, with financial support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
As for the services offered by the CCH, and in accordance with our bylaws, our main objectives are as follows:
-Promote Congolese culture in Canada
-Active participation of members in activities.
-Strengthen ties of solidarity with other ethnocultural communities.
-Help our members settle in.
The following activities were carried out during the Aug. 2024 – Sept. 2025 fiscal year:
-Conversation circle to break the silence in the EAST
-Health walk
-Painting therapy
-Gala 2025 – 65th anniversary of independence and multicultural evening.
-Youth talent show – Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The financial report was presented by the Treasurer, Mr. Donat Lumpathie, covering revenue, expenses and the surplus achieved. An effort to reduce expenses compared with the previous year was noted. The report was adopted by the general meeting. To close, the President concluded that the year from September 2024 to August 2025 had brought hope, resilience and progress for the Congolese Community of Hamilton and Area. Despite some challenges throughout the year, the CCH has shown exceptional determination to promote its core values of unity, solidarity and transparency — highlighting that a strong member makes a strong community. We are proud of our achievements and determined to continue our efforts in the years ahead.
The meeting ended with a call for all members present to act as mediators and to restore unity, love and tolerance within the community, bringing together all Congolese people, without exception.
LIEVIN N. MUBENGA
