Kids in the Congo!

A Hundred Years From Now ... it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove ... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a CHILD. - Forest E. Witcraft

The children of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) live in one of the most mineral rich countries in Africa. They also live in one of the poorest countries in the world. Since 1996, war and conflict has led to the impoverishment of the Congolese people and the pillaging of the minerals which many of the developed countries of the world rely on to manufacture the electronics we can no longer do without. The tragedy of these children's lives is the abject poverty in which they live. With a per capita income of $300 (2009 statistics), hunger and lack of education is the reality.

In 2008, Kids in the Congo was born to help provide an education to children who otherwise could not go to school. Begun as a grassroots project, it is on the way to becoming a recognized non - profit organization. The school enrollment for the 2011 - 2012 school year will be 45 elementary and secondary (K - 8) students and 3 high school students. Although still small, the impact on the children who are sponsored is significant. One has only to read their letters to hear the thanks and hope they express to be able to continue their education.

WILL YOU HELP ?

We offer $50 towards the education of a primary school student and $75 for a high school student. That is less than dinner in a nice restaurant or a night out at the movies for a family, but for the child who benefits from your donation, you will have made a world of difference. Your contribution does not need to be large to be effective. Much of the money we raised the first 2 years was from the redemption of redeemable cans and bottles. With nearly 40 contributors on a bi - weekly basis, those nickels added up quickly. The Wells Middle School National Honor Society did a cash and can collection and raised $300 which was split between our project and a local homeless shelter. Tantasqua Regional High School Recycling Club has been a contributor for the past 2 years and tripled their total during the recent school year. To all these wonderful people, we say a heartfelt thanks. Our original motto was 1000 cans - 1 kid - 1 year. Who would have believed that we would end up recycling 30,000 cans and bottles to change the lives of 30 children in a country 9,000 miles away. But we did and now we are asking you to join our venture. Please visit the HOW TO HELP page and make the difference in the life of a CHILD.

God Bless,
Fr. Salvator Musande A.A.
Lynne Brouillette
Co - founders, Kids in the Congo, Inc.