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FR. SALVATOR's STORY
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country situated in Central Africa that has been devastated by war for the last 12 years. As a result of war and conflict, the social sector has completely collapsed leading to the impoverishment of the population. In that context, few, yes, only few families can afford sending their children to school. In fact, school enrollment rates and the overall quality of education in the DRC have dropped dramatically. For most Congolese, education is an elusive luxury. I am not talking about college education; I am talking about primary (basic) education. The picture is bleak! This bleak picture reflects one of Congo's hidden tragedies: the wasted potential of people trapped by relentless lack of education.
Objectives:
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To raise awareness to the plight of Congolese families in providing the means for a basic education
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To collaborate with the Assumptionist Missions in discerning where the priorities lie.
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To raise funds through Cans for Kids in the Congo (CKC) here in the US to support our goals.
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To commit ourselves to ensuring continuity for the children enrolled into the program
Poverty has a face:
the child on the street and who has not been given an opportunity to explore his potentialities and to improve his life and the life conditions of his community. And what does it take to send a child to school in the Congo ? It is unbelievable but true! You could send a child to school with as little as the price of one night movie ticket or your cappuccino.
What's New:
Welcome Pioneer Brewing Company of Sturbridge
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Ever since I came to this country two and half years ago, I have been telling people who want to listen, how much this country can offer the children of the DRC. To sponsor the education of a child over there is a major contribution, not only to the "redemption" of that child from ignorance, but also to putting into place the building blocks of a new Congo. In fact, who will re-build the Congo if not the Congolese themselves ? Sponsoring a child in the Congo is all about benefitting the whole country as well as helping individual children; raising awareness to the wider problems of the country as well as contributing to finding solutions.
We all know that in September 2000, World leaders, meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out a series of time-bound targets - with a deadline of 2015 - that have become known as the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, for short. One of the goals, the second goal, actually is about achieving universal primary education. The target is to ensure that children, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling by 2015. Six years to the deadline, the poorest of the poor are still unable to get their elementary education. Do we really care if others are left for count ?
Left for count! Yes, it is a dramatic reality. People do not care about what others are going through in other regions or countries. One of the reasons, I believe, may be because people do not know what is happening elsewhere. It is appalling to find out that, in a world that has been so shrinked, so narrowed by the Internet and other technological innovations, we are still so much ignorant about what is happening in other countries. It may be because we have no interest in that particular country or region. The many people I have talked to know very little if not nothing at all about the DR Congo, a country whose minerals have so much been used in goods and services that people in America cannot do without.
You do not have to be
a millionaire to help.
Even with today's bear market, you can still help. You know what ? One lady of good will, Lynne Brouillette of Holland, MA has come up with a fantastic idea. Having listened to the stories about the Congo, she found out that redeeming cans/bottles can raise enough money to sponsor a child. In fact, it takes 1000 cans to send a child to school. $50!! Forget about books for the time being: that's an extra luxury. We want to focus, first and foremost on school fees and school uniforms. As of April 11th, 2009, Lynne had collected enough cans/bottles to sponsor 15 children for the 2008-2009 school year.
This is a call to all the people of good will to join in the adventure of educating some Congolese children by collecting cans/bottles wherever they are and sending the proceedings to: St.Anne/Cans for Kids, 16 Church St. Fiskdale, MA 01518. Who would ever imagined that soda cans can contribute not only to sustaining our environment, but also to fulfill the dream of education for so many poor children out there ? "It takes a village to raise a child" goes an African proverb. Be part of the village and contribute to the raising of our village kids. I believe that America has indeed a lot to offer and as generous people join us, we will be able to educate a good number of children. Our focus is on elementary and secondary school children.
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