It sounds like the start of a joke, but it’s the true story of how three people from three continents
came together in 2017 with one goal: to support and empower the people of the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
What started as a conversation has grown into a grassroots, volunteer‑powered movement
dedicated to education, disaster relief, and community empowerment.

What Makes SEPCA Different 

SEPCA is:
● Grassroots – built from the ground up by people who know the DRC intimately
● Volunteer‑based – every dollar goes directly to the community
● Community‑driven – we listen first, act second
● Passionate – driven by love for the Congolese people
We believe in empowerment, not dependency.
Partnership, not charity.
Opportunity, not pity.

Paul Bwiruke
Teacher / Humanitarian

Born in North Kivu, Paul has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by Congolese
communities, from poverty to violence to displacement.
He is a teacher at heart, a humanitarian by nature, and a leader determined to create spaces for
work, creativity, and opportunity for his people.
Paul’s vision is simple and powerful:
To empower Congolese communities to build their own future.

Sergio Echeverría
Chilean Alpinist / Adventurer / Zen Monk

Sergio has travelled the world, but the DRC captured his heart.
As a climber, mountain guide, and practitioner of Zen, he strives to live in harmony with the
world around him and to help others do the same.
During his time in the DRC, he fell in love with the land, the culture, and the resilience of its
people.
Through SEPCA, he is committed to helping build a better, more peaceful future for
Congolese communities.

Chris “Canguro” Theobald
Australian Wildlife Guide / Conservationist / Advocate for Equity

Chris has spent his life guiding people through some of the world’s most extraordinary wild
places, from pumas in Patagonia to snow leopards in the Himalayas.
But it was the mountain gorillas of the DRC, and the warmth of the Congolese people, that left
the deepest mark.
After managing a safari camp in Virunga National Park, DRC, Chris became determined to
ensure that the people he met – kind, hardworking, and full of potential – receive the equity and
respect they deserve.