Ending Extreme Poverty in the Congo

Are They Subject to Any Local Building Codes or Restrictions?

2010-03-20T14:11:39-04:00

Recently, I sent a email to my fellow Congolese Education group members. I stated that we (Congo Helping Hands) were recruiting engineering assistance to develop a new prototype classroom for rural Congolese schools. The classrooms will be built from vinyl and lumber. The vinyl would come from donated billboard signs. And the lumber would be milled locally. We envision this project will help renovate and replace many of the rural schools which are in absolute poor condition.

In response, I got a number of questions. Here's one of the questions. Would they be subject to any local building codes or restrictions?

Here was my answer. There are no local building codes or restrictions to my knowledge. Or there are, they are not heeded in rural Congo. Please see the pictures of the classrooms that we will be replacing.

In simple terms, these classrooms will replace existing building built with sticks and mud walls, and thatched roofs. The semi-permanent classrooms may closely resemble a rectangle vinyl tent.

fewer Planes, fewer Trains, and a few Automobiles

2010-03-19T05:19:00-04:00

In Congo, there are very few planes, trains, or automobiles. Plane and train schedules are post by their frequency per week instead of frequency per day. Outside of the capital city of Congo, automobiles are few in number, too.

If you are poor and or live in a rural, transportation of people and things are non-existent. People walk to most places. People carry most everything.

The lack of transportation makes it difficult to serve the poor. You have to plan for transportation on any project. Congo Helping Hands delivered the Basic Utility Vehicle (BUV) to the rural bush hospital in Bulape. The BUV is a simple vehicle to operate. It is cost effective. It is appropriate technology for Congo.

The Not-so Fit Have A Better Chance of Survival

2010-03-18T11:19:47-04:00

It is said that only the fittest survive.

Congo is a place where the fittest children suffer to survival. Diseases and sickness take their toll. But supposed you were born with a disability, what are your chances at survival?

A number of children are frequently born with disabilities such as hearing impairments. Immediately, these children are at a greater risk of not making it to their teens. In fact, many of them are neglected by their parents and others to the point of death.

In a country of poverty, they have less of a chance of making it in adult life, too. Unless, they were rescued and brought to the Mpandilu Center, a school for handicapped children, located in Kananga. The center is the latest project site of Congo Helping Hands.

At the Mpandilu Center, they receive educational opportunities and skills to survive in very difficult country.

That Look of Seriousness

2010-03-17T10:55:32-04:00

Congolese children grow up fast. Their eyes have that look of seriousness. Their life is not fun and games. Some experiences make you serious.

Typically, Congolese children have experienced more deaths, sicknesses, and sufferings than most of us. They have experienced the deaths of playmates. They have experienced the sickness of poverty-deadly diseases like malaria and diarrhea. They have experienced the cries of hungry and hopelessness.

The Future of Congo's Children

2010-03-16T10:37:49-04:00

Children need the opportunity to be their best. The opportunity needed in Congo is the bare essentials. They need access to health care, access to education, and the chance for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Children are the future. Congo have some issues to resolve. Preparing the children for the future should be given priority.

But what's their future? Will the future be different from the past?

Time waits for no one. The future will come. Therefore, there should be a sense of urgency.

Preparing For The Future

2010-03-15T10:27:52-04:00

Most preschool children are busy getting ready for big school. They may be going to a formal preschool program. Or they may be learning valuable lessons at home. Everything is about preparing for the future.

Young Congolese girls, as early as 5 and 6 years old, start learning their adult work. The little ones learn to carry smaller water containers from the water source. They learn to carry smaller logs from the bush. They learn how to take care of younger siblings. They learn to work hard, too.

Learning starts early in life. We start preparing for the future early. Therefore, breaking the poverty cycle requires early intervention.

Electricity For Short Periods of Time

2010-03-14T08:17:00-04:00

Some people would say there is not much you can do without electricity in a hospital. You can do a lot. You just have to ask someone or visit a Congolese hospital.

But actually, a Congolese hospital needs to have electricity. Today, electricity makes things better or easier.

Bush hospitals in Congo like the Bulape Hospital does not have access to normal electricity as we know. Some hospitals have access to electricity stored in 12-volt DC (auto type) batteries. The battery is charged by a solar powered panel system. The DC current is converted to AC (120-volt or 240-volt) current.

Critical and needed medical equipment can be operated for short periods of time.

The Effect of Suffering and Death

2010-03-13T09:54:00-05:00

Congolese live in extreme poverty conditions. Many of them suffer and die from preventable and treatable diseases and conditions. They see family members suffer and die.

Even so Congolese celebrate family traditions. They appreciate those precious family traditions. The suffering and deaths strengthen family ties.

A Near Endless Supply of Water

2010-03-12T09:55:39-05:00

Underground cisterns can provide a good source of clean and safe drinking water. Rain water can be collected in the cisterns. Also, a water from a well can be stored in a cistern during low useless period. Then the stored water could be used to meet high demand periods.

A underground cistern working in combination with a deep water well and solar pump would provide a near endless supply of water at a low operation cost. In Congo, about 12 hours of daylight is available 365 days a year.

The underground cisterns need to be protected from contamination.

If the cistern is located in the village center or near a school, Congolese girls would save hours a day. Those saved hours could be used more productive for school or for food production.

Simply Black and White

2010-03-11T11:09:17-05:00

Do you wish the solution to poverty was clear cut like a math problem? I do!

Someone could just announce the solution and then everyone could get to work to implement it. The solution does not have to be easy but it should be doable.

Poverty is one of those things that I think most people would like to eliminate from the face of the earth. Many of us continue to work on different solutions. Everyone has their theory or solution. Is access to health care the solution? Or is education more meaningful? Or is economic development the solution?

I believe there is no single solution. For each country and situation, the conditions and solutions are different. Sometime, I just wish the rural Congo solution was clear as black and white.

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.