Bens in Congo

Sewing Project for Orphans is Underway

March 12, 2014 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

We received an e-mail of thanks from Bishop Muhindo Isesomo as an acknowledgement for our advance of funds. He formally confirmed that the project designed to train orphaned students and to provide a source of revenue for the school for orphans in Butembo is underway. Given his immense responsibilities as the Anglican bishop for the diocese of North Kivu, it is an honour to have him working with us and Compassion Pour Les Enfant en Detresse as chair of their steering committee.

Bishop Isesomo Muhindo, Anglican diocese of North Kivu

Mama Dorcas Mbambu, head of CED, reports that the first fabrics have been ordered and that the steering committee is grateful to everyone who has contributed to our campaign.

I so deeply marvel and respect the consistently shown Congolese attitude of gratefulness without complaint. They have learned to be content with all things despite the difficulties of their situation and are a model for us all.

The Indiegogo fundraising campaign runs to March 28. Proceeds should be received from Indiegogo two weeks later. All amounts received will be forwarded to the steering committee in support of orphanage and the Muti wa Nzuki School for Orphans, Butembo.

ADF Nears Defeat

March 3, 2014 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

The Congo army (FARDC) is reporting the destruction of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) bases which support the supply lines of the ADF, an Islamic-Ugandan rebel group which has been terrorizing the area near Beni. The army is now expecting to overcome the rebels within a few days. This will be a major advancement towards peace and stability in the area.

This will be the second major victory by the FARDC who recently defeated the Rwandan Tutsi affiliated M23 rebels. There remains, however, multiple smaller rebel groups capable of creating regional problems. Victory against the FDLR, a Rwandan Hutu group, has not been announced yet.

As the military continues to gain control over eastern Congo, focus will inevitably shift to improving economic activities as a means to alleviate the dire poverty. But it is so foundational to first have peace and stability!

Indiegogo update

February 27, 2014 in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

We are pleased to report that with four weeks still to go, we have met our Indiegogo fundraising goal of $2,000. We have already advanced USD $1,000 so the sewing project can start.

We received an appreciative letter from the organizing committee of Compassion Pour Les Enfants En Detresse (CED). They continue to provide excellent accountability.

Compassion Pour Les Enfants En Distresse letter of acknowledgement. Click to expand.

Sewing machine purchases

Manual “Sincere” sewing machine. Can you guess the country of origin?

The Indiegogo project is designed to become a source of ongoing revenue for the children, but their needs won’t be met by this one project alone. If you haven’t already, please consider joining this project by donating at this link.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/congo-school-for-orphans-project

How democratic is the Democratic Republic of Congo?

February 20, 2014 in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

There are reports that Congo security forces disrupted a political rally in Bukavu (south of Goma) being held by opposition leader Vital Kamerhe. Bullets were fired at his supporters. Kamerhe said authorities had told him to hold his meeting in Bukavu’s stadium but it was then booked for a sports match. Frustrated supporters gathered in town where security forces opened fire. Kamerhe said he had seen one of his bodyguards shot in the head and several other people were injured. The government claims the crowd was being hostile.

Kamerhe was once a close ally to President Joseph Kabila but he fell out with Kabila in 2010 after the president allowed Rwandan troops to enter the country to hunt Rwandan Hutu rebels in eastern Congo.

By 2016, when elections are due, Kabila will have completed two elected terms in office and is barred by the constitution from standing again. Some opposition groups accuse Kabila, however, of wanting to change the constitution and seek a third term.

The toughest thing in African politics appears to be a graceful and peaceful transfer of power.

70 Massacred by Machete in North Kivu

February 14, 2014 in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The United Nations is reporting the massacre of 70 people by armed groups wielding machetes near Masisi, 80 km. north west of Goma but well away from Butembo. There are also reports of gross human rights abuses including the reported summary killings. The MONUSCU peacekeeping mission chief Martin Kobler said the crimes had been “committed mainly by armed groups to spread terror”. These groups were not identified but are likely different from the M23 rebel group that gained world attention by capturing Goma last year. The massacres may divert the attention of the Congo army which has been focusing on problems closer to the Ugandan and Rwandan borders.

Indiegogo Fundraiser Launched

February 1, 2014 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

In support of CED (Compassion for Children in Distress) in Butembo, we have launched a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/congo-school-for-orphans-project/x/930299

Funds raised will acquire equipment and space to enable sewing production and training at the school. Older students will be provided essential skills training while donating their labour to produce finished clothing goods for resale. Finished product will be sold in the thriving Butembo marketplace with proceeds going back to the school. It will help provide them a means of providing for themselves.

Orphaned Butembo students need your support

Teacher in class in Butembo

Here is an earlier blog post on Compassion for Children in Distress. https://bensincongo.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/compassion-pour-les-enfant-en-detresse-ced/

Please click the link to Indiegogo and donate $10 or whatever is possible for you.

Ground Breaking for the Wood Campus in Bunia

January 16, 2014 in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thanks to a significant gift of $700,000 from Bread for the World (Brot für die Welt) of Germany, construction of the Wood Campus in Bunia, DRC has begun. The Wood Campus will be a major expansion of the ISTM nursing college (Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales) where Nancy and Philip Wood have been heavily involved for years. Affiliated with CME Nyankunde Hospital, ISTM has been the leading nursing college in north east Congo, typically graduating over 300 nurses annually.

Laying the cornerstone for the Wood Campus in Bunia DRC

Guests at the Wood Campus cornerstone laying

Overall Wood Campus plan. Only one building currently exists.

Foundation for one medical amphitheatre. In the background is the ISTM house where the Wood's are currently staying

Foundation for one amphitheatre. In the background is the ISTM house where the Wood’s are currently staying

Bread for the World describes themselves as the globally active relief and development agency of the Protestant Churches in Germany. In almost 100 countries all across the globe they empower the poor and marginalized to improve their living conditions by themselves. Key issues of their work are food security, the promotion of health and education, respect for human rights as well as the integrity of creation.

We are so pleased that this expansion is named in honour of Philip and Nancy. These humble servants have devoted their lives to medical missionary work in Africa.

From the Toronto Star in 2012: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2012/08/20/congo_a_40year_mission_for_toronto_doctor_couple.html

Philip and Nancy Wood the day we met in Beni in 2006

Something Not Taught in Our Schools

January 12, 2014 in Uncategorized | 3 comments

Dorcas has provided us with an excellent detailed report on how she used funds recently sent to her at the Children in Distress Orphanage (Compassion Pour Les Enfant en Detresse – CED) in Butembo. Her list of twenty items included 200 kg of cassava flour and 150 kg of beans as the main food staples. She decided to include a treat which we speculate was for a special Christmas feast.

Compassion for Children in Distress Orphanage in Butembo receiving supplies including a goat and saying Jambo to us.

Compassion for Children in Distress Orphanage in Butembo receiving supplies including a goat while saying Jambo to us.

Bleeding a goat is an important skill to learn!

Enjoying the goat and a good source of protein. Meat is a rare treat for the orphans

Getting ready to enjoy the goat and a good source of protein. Meat is a rare treat for the orphans.

Islamic Terror Expanding in Congo

December 17, 2013 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

Near the city of Beni, there are reports that 21 women and children were killed by the Islamic group ADF, allied to elements of Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab movement. Most were raped and hacked to death, with body parts strewn into trees.

The UN is not confirming responsibility, but Jaribu Muliwavyo, a member of North Kivu’s provincial assembly from Beni, said “ADF-NALU has been moving for the last two or three weeks and this locality was in their route. ADF-NALU controls this area. It is terrorism, pure and simple.”

M23 is Officially Disbanded

December 13, 2013 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

A peace deal with M23 rebels has officially been concluded. For the Congo government to save face concerning the title of the agreement, the two parties have signed separate deals which document their commitments.

Two declarations were signed which together comprise 11 points agreed on by the parties, signed by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and President Joyce Banda of Malawi.

These include a decision by the M23 to end the rebellion and transform itself into a political party, an amnesty to M23 members only for acts of war or insurgency and the demobilisation of former M23 members.

It included agreement on the release of those held by Congo for war or rebellion and called for the return of those displaced by fighting. It also called for the formation of a committee to handle property and land that was confiscated, stolen or destroyed.

I thank the BBC and Google for the following maps. For context, our focus has been in Bunia, Beni and Butembo.

Map of Eastern Congo. Beni is in the northern portion of North Kivu. Bunia is in Orientale province, Ituri region.

Rebel Groups in Eastern Congo (2012 UN map)

Rebel Groups in North and South Kivu provinces (2012 UN map)

Mineral Wealth in Eastern Congo