a good word...

heard a great message yesterday. The challenge is....do NOT take the failures and shortfalls of 2012, even one minute into the New Year. It is a new beginning....leave behind all past mistakes, all unforgiveness and resentments, and all thinking that we can not be better or do better....this is a New Year. Start over, try again, keep on, do NOT give up, never quit...... persevere!


Happy New Year and....."lang may yer lum reek"!
(a Scottish salutation wishing long life and prosperity. Literally...."long may your chimney smoke.")

a good word...

heard a great message yesterday. The challenge is....do NOT take the failures and shortfalls of 2012, even one minute into the New Year. It is a new beginning....leave behind all past mistakes, all unforgiveness and resentments, and all thinking that we can not be better or do better....this is a New Year. Start over, try again, keep on, do NOT give up, never quit...... persevere!


Happy New Year and....."lang may yer lum reek"!
(a Scottish salutation wishing long life and prosperity. Literally...."long may your chimney smoke.")

Merry Christmas blog followers from Canada, Scotland, and the United States!!

Joyeux Noël, Congo & Kenya!! See you soon!

May the Prince of Peace rule in all our homes, at this season and in the New Year!

Merry Christmas blog followers from Canada, Scotland, and the United States!!

Joyeux Noël, Congo & Kenya!! See you soon!

May the Prince of Peace rule in all our homes, at this season and in the New Year!

update......

OK.......for those of you who have been wondering.....the word from the DRC is to move ahead with our plans to come on February 19th. (doing my happy dance here....please try not to picture that!!!!)

I just found out that I need to renew my passport before departure....yikes!.....the 'crunch' is on!

'tis the season to snowshoe, make shortbread, and buy bug spray :D (not to mention the malaria that thought it would like to visit at Christmas!! No, I would not mention that ....hehehee)

soooooo.......planning to leave in 8 weeks and 4 days! I have a few things to do......

update......

OK.......for those of you who have been wondering.....the word from the DRC is to move ahead with our plans to come on February 19th. (doing my happy dance here....please try not to picture that!!!!)

I just found out that I need to renew my passport before departure....yikes!.....the 'crunch' is on!

'tis the season to snowshoe, make shortbread, and buy bug spray :D (not to mention the malaria that thought it would like to visit at Christmas!! No, I would not mention that ....hehehee)

soooooo.......planning to leave in 8 weeks and 4 days! I have a few things to do......

thank you Virden!

It was such a great evening and you are so welcoming, I felt right at home. Thank you for letting me share Congo with you!

thank you Virden!

It was such a great evening and you are so welcoming, I felt right at home. Thank you for letting me share Congo with you!

today...

It seems my optimism was somewhat premature. The situation in Bukavu is still extremely tense. The missionaries and NGO workers have all been removed to safety, confirming their worst fears!

Even though we don't hear much about all of this in the media, it is extremely volatile. Many men women and children, including all those I know and love,  are enduring great tension.

My scheduled trip for February 19th is hanging in the balance for the present.

Please continue to pray for a swift resolution, and a peaceful conclusion to the hostilities!

today...

It seems my optimism was somewhat premature. The situation in Bukavu is still extremely tense. The missionaries and NGO workers have all been removed to safety, confirming their worst fears!

Even though we don't hear much about all of this in the media, it is extremely volatile. Many men women and children, including all those I know and love,  are enduring great tension.

My scheduled trip for February 19th is hanging in the balance for the present.

Please continue to pray for a swift resolution, and a peaceful conclusion to the hostilities!

Thank you for praying....

there are words of peace coming from DRC!
Now we are working on an invitation, and a schedule.
Next step....visas

Met with some wonderful people on the weekend, in Beausejour! I want to say a special asante (thank  you) for your encouragement!
Karibu sana (very welcome) to this blog!!

Thank you for praying....

there are words of peace coming from DRC!
Now we are working on an invitation, and a schedule.
Next step....visas

Met with some wonderful people on the weekend, in Beausejour! I want to say a special asante (thank  you) for your encouragement!
Karibu sana (very welcome) to this blog!!

situation in Congo....

the East part of Goma and the airport in Goma, have fallen into rebel hands. Intense fighting continues and people are flooding into Bukavu for refuge!
Please pray for a quick and peaceful conclusion to the hostilities! Pray that lives will be spared! Pray that it will be contained, and not spread any further!
People are terrified of the potential battle.
Our hearts and prayers are with them.......

situation in Congo....

the East part of Goma and the airport in Goma, have fallen into rebel hands. Intense fighting continues and people are flooding into Bukavu for refuge!
Please pray for a quick and peaceful conclusion to the hostilities! Pray that lives will be spared! Pray that it will be contained, and not spread any further!
People are terrified of the potential battle.
Our hearts and prayers are with them.......

more Congo stats - "Half the population eats only once a day, Dr. Tollens wrote in an essay several years ago, while a quarter eats only once every two days."

and yet they start programs to provide for the handicapped and marginalized of the city..

more Congo stats - "Half the population eats only once a day, Dr. Tollens wrote in an essay several years ago, while a quarter eats only once every two days."

and yet they start programs to provide for the handicapped and marginalized of the city..

Dear hearts and gentle people......

Thank you Griswold and Oak Lake, for your support and encouragement!!! I will convey your greetings to the Congo....

It was so very wonderful to see all of you once more, you truly are 'dear hearts and gentle people'!

I also want to express deep gratitude to those of you who organized and advertised this event, and hosted us. Blessings on all of you.

Dear hearts and gentle people......

Thank you Griswold and Oak Lake, for your support and encouragement!!! I will convey your greetings to the Congo....

It was so very wonderful to see all of you once more, you truly are 'dear hearts and gentle people'!

I also want to express deep gratitude to those of you who organized and advertised this event, and hosted us. Blessings on all of you.

insecurity issues....

“Dr. Denis Mukwege is the founder and medical director of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, DRC. The hospital has become known worldwide for the treatment of survivors of sexual violence and women in need of specialized gynecological care. Dr. Mukwege has been the recipient of numerous international awards including the UN Human Rights Prize, African of the Year, the Olof Palme Prize and the Clinton Global Citizen Award. He has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. These awards recognize his extraordinary service, humanity and commitment....

On the evening of 25 October 2012 around 19:00, four armed men, not in uniform, entered Dr. Denis Mukwege’s house in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The armed men forced Dr. Mukwege’s two daughters and their friend at gunpoint to sit silently on the floor until he returned home. On his arrival, roughly half an hour later, one of the armed men opened the gate and forced Dr. Mukwege out of the vehicle and demanded he hand over his keys. The security guard on duty ran out shouting to intervene and was shot and killed. The armed men fired the remaining bullets at Dr. Mukwege, who threw himself on the ground narrowly avoiding the gunfire. The men then fled in Dr. Mukwege’s vehicle, which they quickly abandoned before hijacking another vehicle.”

PMU (Pingstmissionens Utvecklingssamarbete)

insecurity issues....

“Dr. Denis Mukwege is the founder and medical director of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, DRC. The hospital has become known worldwide for the treatment of survivors of sexual violence and women in need of specialized gynecological care. Dr. Mukwege has been the recipient of numerous international awards including the UN Human Rights Prize, African of the Year, the Olof Palme Prize and the Clinton Global Citizen Award. He has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. These awards recognize his extraordinary service, humanity and commitment....

On the evening of 25 October 2012 around 19:00, four armed men, not in uniform, entered Dr. Denis Mukwege’s house in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The armed men forced Dr. Mukwege’s two daughters and their friend at gunpoint to sit silently on the floor until he returned home. On his arrival, roughly half an hour later, one of the armed men opened the gate and forced Dr. Mukwege out of the vehicle and demanded he hand over his keys. The security guard on duty ran out shouting to intervene and was shot and killed. The armed men fired the remaining bullets at Dr. Mukwege, who threw himself on the ground narrowly avoiding the gunfire. The men then fled in Dr. Mukwege’s vehicle, which they quickly abandoned before hijacking another vehicle.”

PMU (Pingstmissionens Utvecklingssamarbete)

For those of you who are collecting the school supplies.....here is where they are going....

For those of you who are collecting the school supplies.....here is where they are going....

Pole sana (very sorry)....

I hear that some of you need contact info. 

If you wish to have a presentation on the D.R. Congo, please feel free to contact me at....

slundy@goinet.ca

It would be nice to hear from you.....

:)

Pole sana (very sorry)....

I hear that some of you need contact info. 

If you wish to have a presentation on the D.R. Congo, please feel free to contact me at....

slundy@goinet.ca

It would be nice to hear from you.....

:)

the countdown begins......

4 MONTHS until departure!!! That's 16 weeks!!
Between now and then, there's Christmas, 9 family birthdays, finishing my BTh., preparing classes to teach, messages to share, at least 5 invitations to help people understand the plight of our brothers and sisters in DRC. I am thinking the time will go fast......then there are visas to obtain and travel arrangements.
Gotta run......I think I am supposed to be doing something......!?!

the countdown begins......

4 MONTHS until departure!!! That's 16 weeks!!
Between now and then, there's Christmas, 9 family birthdays, finishing my BTh., preparing classes to teach, messages to share, at least 5 invitations to help people understand the plight of our brothers and sisters in DRC. I am thinking the time will go fast......then there are visas to obtain and travel arrangements.
Gotta run......I think I am supposed to be doing something......!?!

CONGO WEEK 2012 is OCTOBER 14 - 20

Breaking the Silence: Congo Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about the devastating situation  in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people in the Congo. 
It is time to break the silence, stop the pillaging, promote justice, defend women and children, protect the environment and support Congo.
"The United Nations said it is the deadliest conflict in the world since World War Two. However, hardly anything is said about it in the media. Can you imagine 45,000 people dying each month and hardly a peep from anyone in the age of the internet?"......Friends of the Congo.
One of Congo's many natural resources is columbite-tantalite or Coltan. When Coltan is refined it is used in many electronic devices such as cellphones. Therefore..... 
***Turn your cell phone off for at least one hour starting at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. No texting!!! The "digital moment of silence" is a way to raise consciousness about the conflict in the Congo, which started in 1996 and continues to this day.

CONGO WEEK 2012 is OCTOBER 14 - 20

Breaking the Silence: Congo Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about the devastating situation  in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people in the Congo. 
It is time to break the silence, stop the pillaging, promote justice, defend women and children, protect the environment and support Congo.
"The United Nations said it is the deadliest conflict in the world since World War Two. However, hardly anything is said about it in the media. Can you imagine 45,000 people dying each month and hardly a peep from anyone in the age of the internet?"......Friends of the Congo.
One of Congo's many natural resources is columbite-tantalite or Coltan. When Coltan is refined it is used in many electronic devices such as cellphones. Therefore..... 
***Turn your cell phone off for at least one hour starting at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. No texting!!! The "digital moment of silence" is a way to raise consciousness about the conflict in the Congo, which started in 1996 and continues to this day.

OK, I finally did it!!!! 
I posted the school supply list under.... 'how you can help...' 
That is under the picture at the top.
Thank you to all those who have been 'encouraging?' me to do this!

OK, I finally did it!!!! 
I posted the school supply list under.... 'how you can help...' 
That is under the picture at the top.
Thank you to all those who have been 'encouraging?' me to do this!

Thank you to Life Outreach Church for your patience while I explained Congo's issues! Also for your great concern and heart to offer help. I was honoured to spend time with you! The gifts you gave will have impact far away!
Today is Thanksgiving, and I am giving thanks for the chance to get to know you.....you are a great bunch of people!!!

Thank you to Life Outreach Church for your patience while I explained Congo's issues! Also for your great concern and heart to offer help. I was honoured to spend time with you! The gifts you gave will have impact far away!
Today is Thanksgiving, and I am giving thanks for the chance to get to know you.....you are a great bunch of people!!!

Thank you Pastor Odie and the youth group from New Life Community Fellowship! It was great to be with you! Thanks for welcoming us and thanks also for your gift! It will be going to the Congo :)

Thank you Pastor Odie and the youth group from New Life Community Fellowship! It was great to be with you! Thanks for welcoming us and thanks also for your gift! It will be going to the Congo :)

on the road again....

Horizon College, Saskatoon

Thank you, Horizon for the great opportunity to share with you about the Congo and it's message!
Thanks also for your warm welcome!

on the road again....

Horizon College, Saskatoon

Thank you, Horizon for the great opportunity to share with you about the Congo and it's message!
Thanks also for your warm welcome!

Please allow me to be vulnerable today....

As I travel and share the needs of Congo, I often hear the response “we are so lucky, here” or “we are so blessed”. 

Now let me whole heartedly agree with these statements. YES, we are! My quandary exists in the aftermath of this revelation. Knowing we are abundantly gifted is one thing, however, do we then walk on feeling entitled? Are we in some way, more deserving than the......well, you KNOW the stories, you’ve seen the pictures......what do you think? Are we? Entitlement justifies us to carry on with no accountability to other’s suffering. Yes, I know we can’t solve all the world’s ills, but does that absolve us from trying to help some? If each of us helped some......what could we accomplish, together?

I challenge you today......respond! Support some worthy cause or organization that is genuinely bringing effective aid. Everyone that ministry touches.....you touch! With your partnership, they can accomplish more than they could on their own!

Please allow me to be vulnerable today....

As I travel and share the needs of Congo, I often hear the response “we are so lucky, here” or “we are so blessed”. 

Now let me whole heartedly agree with these statements. YES, we are! My quandary exists in the aftermath of this revelation. Knowing we are abundantly gifted is one thing, however, do we then walk on feeling entitled? Are we in some way, more deserving than the......well, you KNOW the stories, you’ve seen the pictures......what do you think? Are we? Entitlement justifies us to carry on with no accountability to other’s suffering. Yes, I know we can’t solve all the world’s ills, but does that absolve us from trying to help some? If each of us helped some......what could we accomplish, together?

I challenge you today......respond! Support some worthy cause or organization that is genuinely bringing effective aid. Everyone that ministry touches.....you touch! With your partnership, they can accomplish more than they could on their own!

from the DRC.........

Please, pass on our sincere gratitude to friends in Canada

Thank you so much for your willingness to support us in DRC, children are the future of any nation! We look forward to receiving those school supplies. This will make the children feel very special.

God bless you for your good hearts! 

Thanks also for encouraging our church deaconess in her efforts on our behalf.

Rev. Raha Muzibao Guillaume

HUMANITARIAN Regional Coordinator CEPAC/ERDO

Democratic Republic of Congo/ South-Kivu

from the DRC.........

Please, pass on our sincere gratitude to friends in Canada

Thank you so much for your willingness to support us in DRC, children are the future of any nation! We look forward to receiving those school supplies. This will make the children feel very special.

God bless you for your good hearts! 

Thanks also for encouraging our church deaconess in her efforts on our behalf.

Rev. Raha Muzibao Guillaume

HUMANITARIAN Regional Coordinator CEPAC/ERDO

Democratic Republic of Congo/ South-Kivu

these ladies are holding school supplies that they purchased to send to needy children in the Congo! There was quite a collection and we assembled 27 kits! WOW! 27 children who will learn that people do care!
Thank you, ladies, so very much, for what you have done! (that's "ASANTE SANA SANA" from the Congolese children!)
I love these ladies! They have such generous hearts! Please give them your vote of encouragement in the comment box!!

these ladies are holding school supplies that they purchased to send to needy children in the Congo! There was quite a collection and we assembled 27 kits! WOW! 27 children who will learn that people do care!
Thank you, ladies, so very much, for what you have done! (that's "ASANTE SANA SANA" from the Congolese children!)
I love these ladies! They have such generous hearts! Please give them your vote of encouragement in the comment box!!

"The eastern Kivu and northeastern areas remain unstable with regular violence, a patchwork of rebel forces and militias. Around 1.3 million people in the east of the country alone have been uprooted. Life in refugee camps is miserable and uncertain. Those interned are vulnerable to militia attacks, disease and sexual predation, and they live with little or no resources for anything beyond mere survival. Untold horrors have been committed against many thousands of innocents. The Church’s social impact has grown, since it has emerged as the only viable national structure to endure in the general social, political and economic collapse of the country. Despite the destruction of countless churches and ministry buildings, only the Church has plugged the gap left by a failed state in terms of caring for the many needs in this broken land".....(Operation World)

The Eastern Congo is where I work......there is much work to be done!

"The eastern Kivu and northeastern areas remain unstable with regular violence, a patchwork of rebel forces and militias. Around 1.3 million people in the east of the country alone have been uprooted. Life in refugee camps is miserable and uncertain. Those interned are vulnerable to militia attacks, disease and sexual predation, and they live with little or no resources for anything beyond mere survival. Untold horrors have been committed against many thousands of innocents. The Church’s social impact has grown, since it has emerged as the only viable national structure to endure in the general social, political and economic collapse of the country. Despite the destruction of countless churches and ministry buildings, only the Church has plugged the gap left by a failed state in terms of caring for the many needs in this broken land".....(Operation World)

The Eastern Congo is where I work......there is much work to be done!

today in the new York times......

"......Congo is one of the poorest, most chaotic nations on the planet, ruined by unrest that is estimated to have claimed millions of lives in the past 10  years. In many corners of the country, law, order, electricity and medicine are virtually nonexistent. Mass rape has been epidemic...........
.......though rich in minerals and verdant landscapes, Congo is one of the hungriest countries on earth, according to experts. It is last on the '2011 Global Hunger Index', a measure of malnutrition compiled by the International Food Policy Research Institute, and has gotten worse. It was the only country where the food situation dropped from"alarming" to "extremely alarming", the institute reported in 2012. Half the country is considered undernourished."

                     -----------------------------------

They have commissioned me to deliver their respectful request for aid of any/all kinds!

I have seen the reality of the above report, I cannot shrink back from this burden they have placed on me. In our context it is hard to ask for support, but how can I do otherwise? As difficult as it is to keep asking, I WILL keep asking! I MUST keep asking! Once you have witnessed how hard they work, how courageous and uncomplaining they are, and yet how overwhelmingly needy.......my resistance to asking for help dissolves!

today in the new York times......

"......Congo is one of the poorest, most chaotic nations on the planet, ruined by unrest that is estimated to have claimed millions of lives in the past 10  years. In many corners of the country, law, order, electricity and medicine are virtually nonexistent. Mass rape has been epidemic...........
.......though rich in minerals and verdant landscapes, Congo is one of the hungriest countries on earth, according to experts. It is last on the '2011 Global Hunger Index', a measure of malnutrition compiled by the International Food Policy Research Institute, and has gotten worse. It was the only country where the food situation dropped from"alarming" to "extremely alarming", the institute reported in 2012. Half the country is considered undernourished."

                     -----------------------------------

They have commissioned me to deliver their respectful request for aid of any/all kinds!

I have seen the reality of the above report, I cannot shrink back from this burden they have placed on me. In our context it is hard to ask for support, but how can I do otherwise? As difficult as it is to keep asking, I WILL keep asking! I MUST keep asking! Once you have witnessed how hard they work, how courageous and uncomplaining they are, and yet how overwhelmingly needy.......my resistance to asking for help dissolves!

This is a picture from my last trip.
As we were driving, I noticed the hairdresser's sign on the wall.

This is a picture from my last trip.
As we were driving, I noticed the hairdresser's sign on the wall.

full time job....

This is her home. She has a number of children and she is always working washing, cooking, caring for her children....in short.....WORKING at living and keeping her family alive......day after day after day.....

full time job....

This is her home. She has a number of children and she is always working washing, cooking, caring for her children....in short.....WORKING at living and keeping her family alive......day after day after day.....

thoughts today...

"Any romanticized view of missions has long since dissipated. I've seen too much tragedy to harbor an unreal view of the present or the future. Yet, there is more heat - and more hope - in my heart than ever. The missions addiction consumes me. The fire in me is no longer fueled by youth. Now it is fueled by truth."

thoughts today...

"Any romanticized view of missions has long since dissipated. I've seen too much tragedy to harbor an unreal view of the present or the future. Yet, there is more heat - and more hope - in my heart than ever. The missions addiction consumes me. The fire in me is no longer fueled by youth. Now it is fueled by truth."

All the food prep for the handicapped children's home was done in this 'kitchen'.....
A donation was sent designated for these precious children.
Such gifts significantly impact the lives of so many!

All the food prep for the handicapped children's home was done in this 'kitchen'.....
A donation was sent designated for these precious children.
Such gifts significantly impact the lives of so many!

When I was in Bukavu,
hungry pastors said.... “don’t feed us”,
men walking 25km/day said...... “don’t give us money for transportation”
They do, however, long for a few things.... "Come and teach us again!".....
"Tell our friends in Canada....we have no resources”......”we need help”.....”we are sure that if they knew our situation, they would help!”
So I hope that when I am asked to speak, their cry will resonate through my words ....... “Help us! Please, help us!”

When I was in Bukavu,
hungry pastors said.... “don’t feed us”,
men walking 25km/day said...... “don’t give us money for transportation”
They do, however, long for a few things.... "Come and teach us again!".....
"Tell our friends in Canada....we have no resources”......”we need help”.....”we are sure that if they knew our situation, they would help!”
So I hope that when I am asked to speak, their cry will resonate through my words ....... “Help us! Please, help us!”

"If I had 1,000 lives, I'd give them all for China" — Hudson Taylor
(or Congo)

"If I had 1,000 lives, I'd give them all for China" — Hudson Taylor
(or Congo)

my thoughts....

I read something recently that helped put words to the indescribable....

I have seen poverty......starvation......suffering.....and now.....
I am responsible....I must make a response. There's always a response, sometimes it is indifference. But this misery is not OK with me, apathy is not an option, and sympathy is no substitute for action.
Faith calls for a response....
                         there is no getting off the hook. .....
                                                            I must respond with my life!
If mission is the intersection of divine design, desires, and opportunity....I am on a mission!

my thoughts....

I read something recently that helped put words to the indescribable....

I have seen poverty......starvation......suffering.....and now.....
I am responsible....I must make a response. There's always a response, sometimes it is indifference. But this misery is not OK with me, apathy is not an option, and sympathy is no substitute for action.
Faith calls for a response....
                         there is no getting off the hook. .....
                                                            I must respond with my life!
If mission is the intersection of divine design, desires, and opportunity....I am on a mission!

my 'Team'

from L to R ;
a Bethsaida Church board member,
my hard working translator,
a lady from Bethsaida,
and Pastor Raha....a man who does 3 or 4 jobs all at once!
I am missing all of you!
Oh, yes, I'm the one behind the camera...see me waving?

my 'Team'

from L to R ;
a Bethsaida Church board member,
my hard working translator,
a lady from Bethsaida,
and Pastor Raha....a man who does 3 or 4 jobs all at once!
I am missing all of you!
Oh, yes, I'm the one behind the camera...see me waving?

Goma.....

a city built on and with volcanic rock. The volcano erupted 10 years ago and will again. It made the city very dark. Goma is at the north end of Lake Kivu, Bukavu is on the south.

Goma.....

a city built on and with volcanic rock. The volcano erupted 10 years ago and will again. It made the city very dark. Goma is at the north end of Lake Kivu, Bukavu is on the south.

Hi All !

....this greeting was posted outside Hermon Church when I arrived. No one else speaks English.....I was moved by their generous expressions of love.
They have all become family.......

Hi All !

....this greeting was posted outside Hermon Church when I arrived. No one else speaks English.....I was moved by their generous expressions of love.
They have all become family.......

OK......done!

Changes are in place! Open the header titles, and let me know what you think? Have I forgotten anything? Are there topics I left out? Did I misspell something? Anything you still want to see here?
This blog is officially interactive!

OK......done!

Changes are in place! Open the header titles, and let me know what you think? Have I forgotten anything? Are there topics I left out? Did I misspell something? Anything you still want to see here?
This blog is officially interactive!

Someone just pointed out to me that I need to introduce myself on my blog!! Stay tuned this week as I figure out how to do that. I will also be making some other changes and updates. I would like some feedback and suggestions before publishing these revisions. What would you like to see or hear? This is your chance.....

Someone just pointed out to me that I need to introduce myself on my blog!! Stay tuned this week as I figure out how to do that. I will also be making some other changes and updates. I would like some feedback and suggestions before publishing these revisions. What would you like to see or hear? This is your chance.....

a few unfathomable facts;

    •    Population: 70 million
    •    UN human development index: Bottom of 187 countries surveyed
    •    Life expectancy: 48 years
    •    Has 70% of the globe's coltan - vital for mobile phones
    •    Average annual income: $300
    •    With 13% of the world's hydropower potential, its network of rivers could power much of Africa
    •    Just 9% of the population has access to electricity
(Sources: Estimated figures from the UN and World Bank)

a few unfathomable facts;

    •    Population: 70 million
    •    UN human development index: Bottom of 187 countries surveyed
    •    Life expectancy: 48 years
    •    Has 70% of the globe's coltan - vital for mobile phones
    •    Average annual income: $300
    •    With 13% of the world's hydropower potential, its network of rivers could power much of Africa
    •    Just 9% of the population has access to electricity
(Sources: Estimated figures from the UN and World Bank)

Generally speaking, children raised in the slum areas will remain there as adults. Education can break the cycle. This school exists for that purpose. They educate children who would otherwise be 'street-children'. This is accomplished for $12/child/month !!
I think this is a worthy project with long term rewards! I was able to bring some assistance this year and I am searching for more for next year.
Thanks for checking in......

I have my flights booked to return! February 19, 2013. Why so early?
So donors know they are not paying for my tickets, and that I am committed to returning. Lots to do before then!