The Congo Project
THE CONGO PROJECT 2006: HOPE BEING RESTORED!
This is the second year of a three-year program to help the people of northwest Congo rebuild following the devastation of civil war. A study published in the journal The Lancet and reported on CNN.com in January 2006 called Congo the world’s deadliest humanitarian crisis. Nearly 4 million people have died since 1998, of war and related causes. Each month 38,000 die, mostly of treatable diseases. (To read this story search on CNN.com for "Study: Congo crisis is world's gravest" Posted 1/6/06).
Working together with leaders of the Communauté Évangélique de l’Ubangi-Mongala (the Congolese Covenant church, known as the CEUM), and with individuals in the U.S. who have spent decades living and working in Congo, the Partnership identified $5.5 million in specific needs and projects in health, poverty, and education. That is the challenge before us.
The first year brought generous gifts and real successes:
- Hospital and clinic rooms have been painted
- Roofs are being restored on clinics and schools
- Dirt floors are being cemented
- Volunteer medical teams from the U.S. are visiting several times per year
- Trucks for transporting medicines, personnel, and heavy cargo have arrived
- Bridges on critical routes have been rebuilt
- Sawmills are being refurbished
- Supporters in the U.S. gave generously and met a $1 million challenge gift
- A strong partnership was formed with Northwest Medical Teams, which provides medicines, equipment, training, and evaluation for volunteer medical teams
The CEUM is a strong partner as well. The church has over 180,000 members in the Équateur Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It operates four hospitals and 73 clinics throughout the region, and its medical work has been recognized internationally for its quality of care and service to the area. The CEUM also runs 180 elementary and 84 secondary schools. It is the largest provider of education and health care in the region.
Some ways you can participate:
- Make a contribution to the Paul Carlson Partnership. Send your check to the address given below, and designate an area of ministry if you wish. If you prefer to give online, click here.
- Consult our Catalog of Projects and Needs for specific needs. Click here to download or order printed copies from the Covenant Resource Center: at 800-338-IDEA or resource.center@covchurch.org.
- Share our children’s catalog, Kids Helping Kids, with your own family or children’s groups at your church. Click here to download or order printed copies from the Covenant Resource Center: at 800-338-IDEA or resource.center@covchurch.org.
- Purchase Paul Carlson items from Covenant Bookstore. Net proceeds go to support the Congo Project.
- Order posters and other informational materials from the Resource Center (800-338-IDEA or resource.center@covchurch.org) for use with groups at your church.
- Request a speaker to come to your church or organization by emailing the Partnership, or see other contact information below.
- Include the Paul Carlson Partnership in your estate planning. Contact the Partnership or Covenant Estate Planning Services for more information.
For more information contact:
The Paul Carlson Partnership
5101 N. Francisco Ave., Chicago, IL 60625
773-907-3302 paulcarlson@covchurch.org