Ending Extreme Poverty in the Congo

Is A Tin Roof The Better Solution?

2009-11-10T05:04:00-05:00

A tin roof on a mud-walled building is better. But how much better is it over a mud-walled building with a thatched-roof? That's the question, I am asking.

What defines better? I am defining better as a long-lasting building. Since cement is so expensive, it is out of the reach of average rural Congolese. Cement would make stronger walls. Therefore, the mud walls do not last so long.

I believed the tin roof would have protect the mud walls from damaging rains. But how much additional protection does a tin roof provide?

Children Can Surprise You But They Are Predictable

2009-11-09T05:58:00-05:00

It was amazing! It all happened in a matter of minutes. What was amazing?

The number of children that heard about the candy give-away. Typically, we always take a few bags of candy to pass out to the Congolese children. American sweets! Within a matter of a five minutes hundreds of children were ready for the give-away.

Also, it was amazing that the children took the orders to line up for the candle give-away. Within a matter of another five minutes, the children had formed a long, single-file line.

Unfortunately, once the give-away started, the orderly children acted like children again. That is, there was some pushing and breaking in-line to get ahead.

Hospitals and Health Clinics Improve the Survival Rates during Childbirth

2009-11-08T05:42:00-05:00

There are so many things that can go wrong during childbirth. Quite often, it goes wrong for the mother or for the children. And sometimes, it goes bad for both of them.

Giving birth in a Congolese hospital or health clinic minimizes the many problems for the mother and baby. A Congolese hospital provides the bare essentials of health care. There is a trained professional available. In the facility, there is a bed or a table. There is a few basic medicines.

It does not sound like much, but it increases the odds of survival for the mother and her newborn.

What To Do When The Sun Shines In

2009-11-07T05:56:00-05:00

When the rain washes the mud from between the sticks, the sun shines in. Also, the rain and wind comes in. The noises distract the students, too.

Without the mud between the sticks, the integrity of the building is weaken. The mud needs to be replaced to save the walls.

Most rural schools in Congo are in need of repair or replacement. The mud walls are the first to need attention.

Mixing Dirt and Water Makes Mud for Walls

2009-11-06T11:25:26-05:00

If you thought making mud was child's play, you are wrong. Mud is used to make walls on Congolese houses. There is no mechanical mixer. It is really done by hand. It is made the same way as you made as child. You just mix dirt and water makes mud on the ground. Then you pack in between the sticks to make a wall.

There is no cement added to the dirt. Cement is too expensive for most poor Congolese. A mud wall is a sign of poverty.

If you want to see how women make mud walls, view this short video clip.

Is This A Pet or A Wild Thing?

2009-11-05T09:51:53-05:00

A few days ago, I told someone that I had never seen a wild animal in the Congo. That's a wild animal like we see at the zoo. That's a wild animal like we commonly associate with Africa. I have NEVER seen a lion, tiger, elephant, zebra, water buffalo, python, etc.

Hunger and the effects of poverty has made wild animals extinct in Congo. This monkey, a small squirrel-like monkey, is the wildest thing I have seen. It was a little Congolese's boy pet or future investment.

A Family House in Rural Congo

2009-11-04T05:04:00-05:00

If you suffer from cabin fever or claustrophobia, you would not like the typical Congolese house. They are small. They have very few windows. They have only one door. And they are not too tall.

The typical Congolese house is built for one purpose. They are built for sleeping. They are built to provide the minimum shelter from cool nights. They provide a little protection against the rains.

They constructed of sticks and mud walls. And they have thatched roof made from palm tree leaves.

This is the typical house of rural family living in poverty.

Congolese Children Having Fun

2009-11-03T05:15:00-05:00

Life in Congo can be very hard for children. In spite of the many problems, they have fun, too. It is so enjoyable to see them having fun. For a few hours, everyone was happy. It was like a different world or at least an oasis of happiness.

At a birthday party for their 80-something year old grandfather or great-grandfather, they have a big reason to celebrate. The girls had matching dresses. They served as hostesses for the guests.

Adoption is Exciting News for Congolese Orphans

2009-11-02T17:10:32-05:00

When I was in elementary school, I played the role of Oliver Twist. So, I have always thought that adoption as a way to help only one child. What about all the other unlucky children left behind? I can still remember the sadness of the play. I carried that baggage with me into my work with Congo Helping Hands.

Lately, I have realized that adoption also helps an incomplete family. So there is another side to the adoption story, the adoptive parents.

Adoption of orphans could be related to the Starfish Story. In Congo, I have been approached by individuals who care for and who wanted to care for orphans.

Today, another link has been made in the long adoption chain. I found a local organization that handles adoptions of Congolese orphans. That's exciting news for the Congolese orphans if they can find loving adoptive parents.

For further information, contact me or MLJ Adoptions. Download Congo info sheet - MLJ Adoptions for free.

These girls were orphaned by the HIV pandemic in Congo.

The Choice is Easy

2009-11-02T05:23:00-05:00

Which building would you like for your classroom? The newer building, on the right, constructed within the last year. The older building, on the left, constructed years ago. The tin roof on the newer building is visible from distance. It is the obvious choice for the students, the office administrator, and us (the investor).

The longevity of the building was greatly increased by the tin roof. The roof will protect the walls from being washed away. We hope the price of the tin roof pays a handsome return.

Most rural buildings in rural Congo do not have tin roofs. Residents and others can not afford the price of tin roofs.

Links for 2008-05-12 [del.icio.us]

2008-05-13T00:00:00-07:00

Firstgiving - Nate's Fundraising Page for the Congo
Nathaniel Houghton, On October 5 2008, will be running the Corning Wine Glass Marathon to fundraise for Congo Helping Hands' educational programs.

Links for 2008-03-16 [del.icio.us]

2008-03-17T00:00:00-07:00

Take Up The Challenge And Help To Fight World Poverty (from Worcester News)
Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) is an international development charity working through skilled volunteers in 34 countries mostly in Africa and Asia.

Links for 2008-03-15 [del.icio.us]

2008-03-16T00:00:00-07:00

Miriam Makeba visits rape survivors in Congo (DR)
Singer and activist Miriam Makeba says women survivors of sexual violence in the Congo face a “triple tragedy” of physical, psychological and social damage.
A first step for the global poor – shatter six myths | csmonitor.com
Today, the "average" person on the edge of survival is a child. Within the next hour, 1,200 more of them will perish. There are no easy solutions. But there is a clear path toward progress.
Wealthy nations must work to reduce poverty everywhere - Myth #6
Should wealthy nations, like the US, work to reduce poverty everywhere? NO. That's a myth we should help everybody or everywhere. Who should we help? We should be devoting our effort to the last billion poor.
In Case of Rape, Who do you blame?
A Chilean, Australian, and Canadian mining consortium of mining companies on the London stock exchange is interested in Congo's copper. Who is responsible or culpable? It's confusing to me. But maybe that's how it is suppose to be.

Links for 2008-03-14 [del.icio.us]

2008-03-15T00:00:00-07:00

UN council urges armed groups in DRC to lay down arms _English_Xinhua
The UN Security Council demanded on Thursday that armed groups and militias in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) lay down their arms.

Links for 2008-02-19 [del.icio.us]

2008-02-20T00:00:00-08:00

Violence erupts at DR Congo camp
Government soldiers and ex-rebels fighting at a camp used to integrate the former enemies.

Links for 2008-02-16 [del.icio.us]

2008-02-17T00:00:00-08:00

China to pump $9bn into DRC economy
a newly-signed partnership that could propel the African country's growth into double digits

Links for 2008-02-15 [del.icio.us]

2008-02-16T00:00:00-08:00

Come Back, Colonialism, All is Forgiven - TIME
"Even if you go 1,000 kilometers down this river, you won't see a single sign of development. When the whites left, we didn't just stay where we were. We went backwards."
China is rapidly buying up the world's resources
China is prospecting for minerals in the Congo.