Ending Extreme Poverty in the Congo

Urban farming takes root

Urban farming in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is providing a livelihood for thousands of city dwellers, with vegetables bringing in good money for small growers and helping to alleviate high levels of malnutrition nationally, agricultural officials say.

The demand for vegetables and the high prices they command in DRC cities - up to US$4 per kilo - has pushed many jobless residents into becoming small-scale growers.

via www.irinnews.org

This a good news story! People giving up low-paying desk jobs to farm and much more money.

How Old Are You?

You would think that determining one's age is easy.  Just get a copy of your birth records.  But if you were born in Congo, you may have a problem.  Most Congolese do not have birth records.  You may not have been born in a hospital or health clinic.  Even so, most of them do not issue a birth record to the parents.  

With the No. 7 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats selected Congolese forward-center Bismack Biyombo. The Bobcats acquired the pick from the Sacramento Kings in a draft day trade.

Biyombo was 2011's prospect almost no one had heard of in 2010. Hailing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Biyombo zipped from the Yemeni pro leagues to Spain's top division (the ACB) in just months, knocking down every hurdle in his way with what's reported as uncanny maturity, leadership and -- of course -- outrageous athleticism and length. In April, Biyombo became the first player to ever register a triple-double at the Nike Hoop Summit, as the big man rejected 10 shots attempted by American high schoolers.

Questions about Biyombo's age have circulated, but his agent had made results of a bone age study available, allaying most serious concerns that Biyombo was 22 or older instead of his listed 18.

via www.sbnation.com

The Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice Is Meaningless

Today is the either the longest or shortest day depending upon where you live.  In Congo, the Summer Solstice is meaningless.

June Solstice (Winter Solstice) is on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 6:16 PM in Kinshasa, DR Congo. In locations south of Equator, the shortest day of the year occurs in June.  It's the opposite of us here in northern hemisphere.  But what is remarkable, the shortest day is 11 hours 52 minutes and 25 seconds.  Conversely, the longest day is 12 hours 22 minutes and 28 seconds.

A deeper meaning could be a near farmer's utopia.  An equal growing season of 365 days a year due to moderate temperature.  Unfortunately, most African countries are importers of food due to the lack of technology (knowledge and practices) and resources.

ONE says, 'Roughly 1 billion people, 265 million who live in sub-Saharan Africa, rely on agriculture for their livelihoods or more simply a source of work and income for all their needs.'