UEM delegation visits member churches in DR Congo

For more than twenty years, in the Equateur Region of the DRC, two UEM members are strengthened to work with the community in a very remote area which is larger than Germany. The support consists of addressing their basic needs especially in capacity building, to improve health, education, food, housing and clothing. The work is made possible by financial mobilization of these churches, bilateral partnership relations between EKvW, EKiR and UEM. It was however noticed that there is still great need.

On the 7^th of May 2015, the UEM delegation comprising of Mowe, Rev. Martin Ahlhaus, GMO and Rev. Hans Jurgen Gaertner and UEM staff (Rev. Kabango and Mr Wafo David) were warmly received by the CDCC President Reverend Eliki Bonanga, his colleagues in the church leadership and the congregations in Mbandaka City.

The morning of the following day was dedicated to a seminar on the "UEM United Action Campaign". The message was received by the representatives of the church as an emphasis on ownership and the "local mobilization strategies". Approaches were discussed with about 80 church leaders who participated to this meeting. The local church committed to implement the decisions of the UEM governing bodies.

Two days were dedicated to the visit of the UEM supported projects including: the nutritional centre, the new building prepared for vocational training for jobless youth and women, the women farming cooperative, the Bolenge Dortmund ambulance boat project,  the Bolenge Hospital, the youth project of fish farming, primary and secondary schools, and finally the Bolenge Protestant University.

A special emphasis was laid on the first three complementary activities which promote the human dignity of children. They consist of providing additional food, medical care and leisure to vulnerable children on one hand and training families on farming production and microcredit on the other hand; the two components are expected to reduce the malnutrition rate within poor families in a sustainable way. In addition,  the women  and youth training centre initiated by the women department is aimed at promoting  the welfare of mother who are below 18 and  integrating  them into a viable social life, by providing them with professional capacities. 

A cultural and musical evening was organized at the "Nouvelle cité" Parish where church members, local pastors and UEM delegation rejoiced and joined together in celebration.

In contrast with the past, it can be noticed that CDCC is moving positively and expects to do more again. This can easily explain why the President said in his welcome speech to the UEM delegation: "We thank very much the UEM for all the supports of which finances and the technical accompaniment of CDCC by a UEM South-South development advisor. There are still uncountable challenges but the hope is that, hand in hand with UEM and other friends, the CDCC will be a spiritual and material strong church in Congo."

Early on the 10^th of May, the delegation was divided into two groups, one on the Congo river to Basankusu and the other by road to Boende in partnership with Iserlon/Germany. The field work of these sub regions, will be reported in the coming days.