Ending Extreme Poverty in the Congo

New Role Models

 

Educating Congolese girls will have a profound effect on poverty and development.  Girls and women are a marginalized class in Congo.  They are the last to go to school and first to leave during a family crisis.

Girls make up half of the population.  They impact their whole generation.  These are the next generation of mothers.  They will nurture their children during the early years of development.  They will teach them to read and write, and solve problems.

But with education, they can be more.  They can be the teachers, doctors, lawyers, and government leaders.  They can be role models, too.

Education builds a new era.  Education is a "life changer".

What's A "Life Changer"?

 
In Congo, a country where running water is non-existence for 99 percent of the population.  The village water source is a common meeting place.  Everyone goes there at least once or twice a day.  A village water source is like the corporate water cooler. 

But mostly girls and women congregate at the water source.  They catch up the local happening and talk around the village.  However, they probably were not discussing that homework problem or question.

If they did not have to spend hours everyday fetching water, Congolese girls would have more time for school.  A drilled water well brings the water source closer to the village.   Now, that's a "life changer".

Underground Cisterns Are Covered and Padlocked

 
Do you care if it rains?  Are you concerned when it does not rain frequently?  Do you know how many inches of water it rained?  Are you concerned about where the water goes? 

If you lived in rural Congo, rainwater would mean a lots to you.  Rainwater can be captured in underground cisterns.  Large cisterns hold thousands of gallons of fresh water.  Water can be used for cooking, washing, and drinking.

The Bulape Hospital's water system includes about five large underground cisterns.  Water runs off the metal roofs into the cisterns through a rain gutter.

The underground cistern are covered and padlocked.  They are not covered and padlocked for safety reasons.  They are covered and locked to prevent women and girls from taking water without authority.  They would call it stealing!

Flying To The Bulape Village Airstrip

 
A small single engine plane can land at the Bulape Village Airstrip.  I forgot the airport identifier used by the Mission Aviation Fellowship's pilot.  After flying over the airstrip twice for a visual inspection, the pilot landed on the slightly smooth patch of ground.

There are only the bare ground at this rural village airstrip.  There are no maintenance hangers or other facilities.  There are no fences to keep the villagers or their animals off the landing strip.  There are no TSA screeners or security personnel.  There is no flight arrival or departure gate, or baggage claim area. 

After flying over the jungles of central Congo, you are glad to be back on the ground.  You are glad to be greeted by almost every man and most of the children who are not attending school.  You are not late or early, you are just thankful to be there.

The New Face of Water

 
If you are from a developed country like the United States, you may recognize this water faucet.  But if you are a rural Congolese, you probably would not recognize this as a source of water.

In the coming years, I want to make the water faucet the new face of water.

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.