Ending Extreme Poverty in the Congo

Get Your Clean Water Here

 
In the past few days, I was asked a similar question twice.  Why would water located at a school attract more girls or benefit girls more than boys? 

In most sub-African countries, getting water is not equal opportunity job.  Congolese girls are the overwhelming majority of water fetcher at any water source.  It does not matter if it is a urban or rural watering hole (water source). 

Here's video of a water source in the rural village of Bulape or see below.  You will note that most of those gathered to get water are girls.  As my guide, Justin noted -- a headmaster at the girls school, many of the girls did not attend school on that day to the water source.  It is pretty hard to explain any absence when you are coming from the water source with a 40 pound jar of water on your head.

 

 

Fashion in Rural Congolese Schools

Uniforms are not required in rural Congolese schools.  Especially for girls, uniforms should not be a reason for not attending schools.  The attendance by girls is low enough.  Many girls are forced out of school due to poverty.

Also, you should take note of the older FIFA World Cup t-shirt from 2002 or 2006.  Yes, that is a playboy bunny on the other t-shirt.  Fashion is ok.

Do You Love Things Made From Scratch?

 
It takes time!  What is it?  It is everything.  In rural Congo, everything is made from scratch.

As you know, things from scratch requires skills and patience.  We love our grandma's cooking.  But it took a long time.  When was the last time, you had some made from scratch.  Mashed potatoes come from a potato and not a box.  Nothing is done in 5 minutes or 15 minutes or even 30 minutes.

Did you know that a leather drum-head is heated with fire to change the pitch?  You have to gather wood and start the fire, just to heat the drum-head.

That's a inner beauty of Congo.     

Women in Farming

 
Rural farming is equal opportunity work.  In rural Congo, women participate in all aspects of farming.  The help clear fields.  They help plant the crops.  They help harvest the produce.

Rural subsistence farming is hard work.  No formal education is required to farm.   

Meet The Cashier

 
If you have to visit an American hospital, you will probably not see the cashier.  You may not even see the cashier's office.

At the Bulape Hospital in rural Congo, the cashier is your first visit.  There is no insurance or assistance programs to pay for your hospital visit.  Therefore, cash is king. 

After you leave the cashier's cage you can now see a doctor or nurse about your illness.

Micro-Businesses at Work

There are no large department stores or chains in Congo.  In rural Congo, micro-businesses are prevalent.  They are smaller in operation and scope than the traditional US small business. 

I would describe a micro-business as a business without a brick-and-mortar presence.  The business person just brings his product or services to a familiar location each day.  You can only expect them to be located near the same spot daily.

The micro-business is operated by the owner (a man or woman) and his children.  There are no employees.  The product may be family-made or a manufactured product.  The service would probably a learned trade.  It possibly could include manual or non-electric tools.  For example, the barber uses just a comb and a double-edged razor blade to cut hair.  

Where Are The Girls?

Why is gender inequality so prevalent in many developing countries?  Many would say gender inequality is the reason why they behind. 

Gender inequality leaves half the population out of the solution.  In rural Congo, gender inequality is most damaging.  Girls are left to having babies.  Girls are left to working in the fields.  Girls are left out of school.

As a result, girls suffer more.

Balancing the School Budget

Building maintenance is not a top priority.  Student school fees go to teacher salaries.  And then, school fees go to teacher supplies and books.

Student books and supplies would be a higher priority.  Or perhaps, student desks would be considered.

In rural Congo, school budgets are balanced.  So school fees play a bad part of the balancing act.  There is no funding reserve to tap into.  There is no bonds to issue.  There are not even guaranteed salaries from the government.

Also, if student school fees are too high, poor families keep the children home to further reduce the budget. 

Just Like Us

 
Children are creatures of curiosity.  They follow adults to understand and to learn. 

Congolese children are no different.  They are curious, too.  But their environment is so limited.  Occasionally, they have the opportunity to observe westerners.  Their eyes are wide open and are fixed.

I wonder what they really see in us.  Do they see our similarities?  What makes us difference?  We know the answer but do they know.

They are victims of poverty.  But they can be just like us, if we help them break the vicious cycle.

The Living Is Not Any Easier

School is out in rural Congo, too.  Many students are preparing to take their annual examinations for promotion to the next grade.  The results will not be posted for a while.  It is like waiting on your college to arrive.

So how can you enjoy your summer vacation?  Life in a poor village is different.  One, you probably will not be taking a vacation.  Second, your summer activities may include harvesting crops.  Then you would have help prepare fields just before going back to school.

Summer time and the living is not any easier.