Ending Extreme Poverty in the Congo

What's The Source Of Water?

 
Do you know where water comes from?  Some of you may answer, it comes from the store in plastic bottles.  Now, some of you may answer, it comes from your city or town.  Even others of you may answer, it comes from the water faucet.  If you lived in rural Congo, you would know it comes from that creek or spring located miles away from the village.  

Most of our water ultimately comes from under the ground.  Probably, very few of you or none of the Congolese would realize that water comes from under the ground.  But the process to get water from the ground requires machinery and know-how.  In Congo, those are two items in very short supply.  That's the reason why most Congolese get their water from a creek or spring.

Over the next several years, I plan to introduce the water well drilling process in Congo.  I will have to import the machinery and know-how. 

What Congolese Children Expected for Christmas?

Christmas is a big holiday for children in the US and most of the developed countries.  In Congo, Christmas is a big day for children, too.

Children's expectations were simple and basic.  Children expected the best and most festive meal of the year.

Also, Congolese girls expected a new dress.  It was probably home-made for most rural poor families.  Congolese boys expected a new pant and shirt.

When Santa Comes To The Village

Santa is known for bringing joy and merriment to children of all ages.  In Congo, Santa comes under slight different conditions.

Since the majority of Congo lies below the equator.  So, it is in the south hemisphere.  Therefore, Christmas Day occurs during the summer.

But Christmas or winter have no effect on the arrival of the big guy.  Santa arrives whenever a container comes from the states.

School children receive school supplies and textbooks.  Stockings are stuffed with pens and notebook paper.  Teachers have been known to get textbooks, maps, globes, and soccer balls.  And poor girls receive scholarship to attend school.

The hospital receive medical supplies and equipment.  Pregnant women and newborn mothers receive baby packets and mosquito nets.  And poor women and children receive financial assistance to pay their bills.   

Music Is A Better Part of Congo

 
The Christmas season is synonymous with music.  Concerts and music programs are great apart of our seasonal celebrations.  Artist produce special music and songs for the Christmas season.

Rural Congo villagers will sing throughout Christmas eve night.  Also, they will sing for joy on Christmas day before spending time with their families.  Music and singing will be big part of Congo's Christmas festivites.

Congo's music is known worldwide.  Their musicians are known throughout the world, too.  Unfortunately, the poverty, war, and devastation overshadows it music contributions.

A Good Reason To Dance

 

Congolese women perform traditional or tribal dances for dignitaries and for special occasions.  The opening of a rural health clinic is a very special occasion.

Most Congolese living in a rural village do not have access to any health care.  In most cases, access does not ensure the adequacy of health care.  Access and adequacy is the real health care issue in rural Congo.

The opening of good health clinic is a reason to be happy for all.  It's a good reason to dance.

More Time Is Needed To Break The Cycle Of Poverty

 

If Congolese girls did not have to spend 2-4 hours every day getting water, what could they do instead? 

Would they become couch potatoes and sit around all-day text their BFF's?  Probably not.  Most teenagers can not afford a mobile phone.

I would hope that they could spend more time trying to attend school.  I would hope that they spend more time for studying to stay in school.

I would hope that they could spend more time trying to make money.  I would hope that they spend more time opening a family business.

Education and development would help these Congolese girls break the cycle of poverty.

Hair Reflects Prosperity

Congolese women take pride in their appearance.  So, they are like women everywhere.  They want to look good, too.

After seeing Oprah and Chris Rock discuss the movie, Good Hair.  I started me to thinking about the hair of Congolese women.  In rural poor Congo, hair styles are almost non-existent.  These working women do not have the time and money.  Also, elaborate hair styles are not practical.  Scarfs are the typical head-ware for the poor women. 

Natural Hair-dos, weaves, and wigs are a sign of prosperity.