Why We Work in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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The Democratic Republic of Congo was the possession of Belgium until 1960, and now is the possession of political corruption and mining corporations that are stripping the country of its’ resources and independent future. Political upheaval and violent unrest have taken a heavy toll on an infrastructure that was never intact.

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All former colonialized countries, in order to move into the 21st century, must be able to have an infrastructure that improves the lives of the people. When speaking of the DRC, it has moved into the 2000’s but without the capacity to meet the basic needs of the people, and lags behind first world countries in healthcare, water availability and minimal housing. Hospitals are either too expensive, too few and stocked minimally or are small clinics that have no medicines or basic supplies.

 

When such variables are not a part of the equation, the people suffer with the most obvious and simple issues and their humanity ends in easily resolved circumstances that aren’t resolved.

 

The horrifying use of sexual violence as a tool of war has labeled the DRC as the rape capital of the world and challenged even the simplest definition of human rights. Within a culture that does not equate the female gender as equal to the male, the healthcare of the woman is negated and they die in great pain, many banned from their homes.

 

The DRC is rich in natural resources and a beautiful people that long for peace, justice and a life with promise. If given the opportunity, they want nothing more than to have a chance to move forward and enjoy the advances that other countries experience.