About the DRC

Even if you don't think you know much about the Democratic Republic of Congo, you may be surprised with how familiar you are with the region.  The Democratic Republic of Congo (or DRC) is located right in the heart of Africa.  It is the second-largest country in Africa and was formerly known as Zaire.  To its east, lie the often-discussed countries of Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda.  The Congo River runs close to its capital city, Kinshasa (which is situated in the northwestern region of the country).

Anyone who has suffered through had the opportunity to read Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness got a first-glance look at the Congo region.  The book definitely captures the heart of the troubles facing DRC as Kurtz yells out on his deathbed, "The Horror! The Horror!",  as he becomes aware of what his greed has done to others. Some would consider the DRC the richest country in the world if its raw materials and natural resources were tapped through an ethical business market.  Unfortunately, the DRC currently has the 2nd lowest GDP per capita in the world. 

Corruption and a lengthy line of invasions have left the DRC economically crippled.  Over the past 15 years, war has spilled over the border of the DRC, leaving 1-5 million dead.  It is estimated that half of the dead are children.  First, the Rwandan conflict spilled over into the DRC, and when Joseph Kony (and his LRA began to face backlash in Uganda and Sudan), they moved their operation through the northeastern region of the DRC.  With this invasion, came all of the atrocities of guerilla warfare: child soldiers, trafficking of girls, and a myriad of other human rights abuses.  Some estimates say that this (and the related conflicts in Central Africa) represent the deadliest conflict in the world since World War II. 

The DRC has been blessed with a beautiful landscape: however, it has very little to no infrastructure.  One person who recently visited described it as a "fourth-world country".  Atrocities against women have allowed one study to name the DRC the worst place in the world for women.  The U.S. Department of State has said that the average annual income in the DRC is $210.  To put this into perspective, one blogger stated that in her recent travels, a bag of beans cost $75.00.  (To read a fascinating account of one adoptive mom who visited an orphanage in the area, please click here )  In our recent visit, a doctor at the airport told us that he and his wife live in a 2 bedroom, 1 bath house with a small kitchen and living area and pay the equivalent of $2,200 a month.  Life there has become unaffordable for many of the country's inhabitants.


The DRC is not without hope.  A majority of the country is literate.  Up until the wars, the country was able to provide free and compulsory education.  70% of the nation is Christian (50% Roman Catholic and 20% Protestant).  And, groups of natives and interested foreigners are rising up to help with the current crisis in the DRC.  As I find encouraging or informative articles, I will post the links below.  I hope this provides some insight into the needs--and wealth of resources--this country contains.  While we are adopting a child to come to the United States, millions of children remain.  How amazing would it be to give that generation hope and see sustainability in the heart of Africa. 

• Congo Odyssey (extremely informative PBS presentation on the DRC)
• World Without Genocide (discussion of the history and effects of genocide in the DRC)
• Women to Women (sponsorship program to help women in the DRC)
• Our Family in Africa (helping orphans in the DRC)
• From War to Witches (film showing the plight of children in the DRC)
• Raise Hope in Congo (education and humanitarian effort in the region)