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New MBMSI Projects in DR Congo |
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Mennonite Brethren have been actively involved in the Congo since the 1920's, investing in training, education and social ministries. This has resulted in a rapidly growing, strong evangelistic church of some 92,000 members with a good leadership core. However, while the church grew strong, the country slid into economic chaos. Although conditions are beginning to improve, the Congolese population continues to suffer under severe economic and social conditions.
MBMS International recently received a new grant from CIDA, the Canadian International Development Agency, for development projects in Congo. The MBMSI-CIDA project primarily targets the former Mennonite Brethren mission field in the Bandundu province. Households in the area depend primarily on agriculture production, processing and marketing; activities which are at a virtual stand-still. Poor health services further reduce productive capacity. Since women are the primary producers for household consumption, they are the ones most in need of assistance.
MBMS International is committed to continued long-term ministry. The total amount of the initial project is for $310,000 CND. Based on the success of this 18 month project, the plan is to apply to CIDA for an extension of at least another three years. However, matching funds of $110,000Cdn are required to make this project a success.
The project has three components that will respond to both the social and economic needs:
-Support for the Centre for Peace-building, Leadership, and Good Governance in its efforts to promote better approaches to conflict resolution and to develop leadership, both in the church and in the community.
- Providing essential medicines to local health centers in the form of a Medicine credit line. It will encourage improved management capacity and allow the centers to establish a revolving fund to assure a regular supply of essential medicines at a lower cost.
- Enabling existing Savings and Loan Associations to provide credit in manageable amounts, increasing their lending capacity as their management capacity develops. Loans using funding that is community-controlled and accountable will be made to existing micro-enterprises. Training (capacity building) will be a central feature of this component.
All of these components will increase the communities' confidence in the church and its members, provoking a desire to enter into the abundant life. Care will be taken to ensure that women participate fully in all activities. The project will be monitored through regular reporting and field visits by the MBMSI-CIDA Project coordination committee.
The Mennonite Mission Health Association, MMHA, is partnering with MBMSI to help raise the $65,000 medicine portion of the matching grant. The MMHA president, Dr. Ferd Pauls, was formerly an MBMSI medical missionary in Congo.
In addition to the MBMSI-CIDA project, a large renovation project has begun through MBMSI for education facility renewal at the Christian University of Kinshasa. The Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford, BC is contributing both funds and volunteers for this project. Together these projects bring MBMSI's new investment in Congo to a total of $430,000 Cnd.
Country: The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Duration: Eighteen months, October 2005 to March 2007
Budget: $310,000 Cdn. Total
200,000 Cdn. CIDA Contribution
110,000 Cnd. Matching funds needed
Project Number: C0437
For more details, please contact:
Ernie Dyck, CIDA consultant and MBMSI-CIDA project coordinating committee member
204-669-6773 ehdyck1@mts.net
Murray Nickel, MBMSI Congo Projects Coordinator
604-855-9512 mfnickel@mbmsi.org
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