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Charitable Dollars Hard at Work in Congo
CHICAGO, IL (June 2, 2005) - Contributions that Covenanters have made to the
Paul Carlson Partnership (PCP) already are being used in numerous ways
to improve the lives of citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The partnership, whose name honors the memory of Evangelical Covenant
Church (ECC) medical missionary Dr. Paul Carlson who was killed by Congo
rebels in November 1964, is dedicated to helping the poorest of the poor
throughout the world. During the next three years, the primary focus is
on Congo, working closely with the Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM).
However, that focus will shift to different regions of the world where
the Covenant is engaged in missions work.
Since last year, 120 Covenant churches have contributed to a campaign to
raise funds, according to Jim Sundholm, director of both Covenant World
Relief and the partnership. Donations are being multiplied by using them
in connection with grants from various agencies around the world. Many
granting agencies require the grantee to contribute a portion – such as
25 percent - of a project's cost. The PCP money is paying for that
portion. "In that way the dollars we contribute are multiplied
significantly," says Sundholm.
Much of the money is being used to support projects in areas of
education, health care and rebuilding infrastructure that was largely
destroyed during six years of civil war. The task is enormous.
Education
In the area of education, the donated funds are helping to support 323
schools serving 58,118 students and staffed by 2,124 teachers. Specific
efforts include:
- PCP partnerships with local churches and other organizations to
construct and restore buildings - students also are helping with the
construction of the school buildings. PCP will partner with local
communities to provide metal roofs and desks.
- Rebuilding of a school dormitory for girls and restoration
initiatives including newly built beds, desks and storage units. The
Eunice Gustafson Memorial Fund also has raised money for textbooks and
education resources for teachers.
- Raising of funds by Women Ministries of the ECC to assist girls in
their education, particularly with scholarships designed to cover
testing fees required for graduation. The PCP matched (doubled) those
donations. Girls currently comprise only 25 percent of the student
population, due in large part to the inability on the part of families
to pay the fees.
Health Care
Health care also has continued to be a priority for the partnership.
Each month the Karawa hospital serves 2,500 patients, the Wasolo
Hospital serves 750, and the Loko hospital serves 730 individuals.
Initiatives include:
- Two containers of medical equipment have arrived and one is ready to
leave
- A doctor who is a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Congo
(CEUM) has been sent to Ethiopia for specialized training in VVF
surgery, a specific woman's surgery that is frequently necessary
throughout Africa
- Mobile CEUM medical teams of doctors, nurses and community health
workers are visiting villages, and containers of medicines have arrived
at three CEUM hospitals
- A community clinic building in Bokonzo has been built with a new
cement floor, doors and windows
- Basic funds to sustain two of the hospitals have been committed for
the next three years, and other ECC churches are considering taking up
hospital or clinic sponsorship
- Several solar power systems have arrived to assist hospitals and clinics
- Several CEUM women have created a care and adoption ministry of
HIV/AIDS orphans
Infrastructure
Years of war have taken their toll on everything from bridges and roads
to water supply systems and electrical power sources. Initiatives to
rebuild the infrastructure in this northwestern area of Congo include:
- Two bridges have been built, with many more needed
- Three new vehicles have been purchased for the CEUM, two older land
cruisers repaired and one large truck and a road-grater have been
returned to operation
- Widows have been assisted with funds to help them complete
agricultural projects and explore micro-enterprise opportunities
- Several water pumps have been installed to provide clean, fresh and
plentiful water for the hospitals, clinics and immediate neighbors
- A well-drilling rig that was fabricated in Kansas has arrived and is
ready to be used. "Reconstruction of water systems, including more and
new wells, reliable pumping systems and water storage will take
considerable time, money and work," says Curt Peterson, executive
minister of the Department of World Mission.
- Tools for everything from farming to road construction have arrived
in "limited amounts" but are helping people rebuild their communities
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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