In the United States we dont have to deal with constant war, widespread slavery, forced

marriages, or rampant abuse. The Democratic Republic of the Congo does. According to the Free
the Slaves organization, in this significant part of Africa, families are being separated and taken
from one another to pay for debts or to just find a way to survive in the sinking depths of their
desperation(Slavery in the Congo). A Free the Slaves Field Research Expos contains a story
about Ada who was sold into marriage without her knowledge and raped. She became pregnant
and her husband left her behind to find a job. She was given aid and support to create an income
and life for herself (Wives in Slavery 18). Tearfund documents a story of Ibrahim Kaiko who
fled from his ransacked village
and

returned

with wife

and

malnourished children in tow to

find everything they had looted
and destroyed. With help, he has
been able to yield more than he
ever did and provide for his
family and even sell a surplus. He just needed the help to get him started. (Democratic Republic
of the Congo) Mbuyi Mwanza, with no other way to make money or get food, gave up his
education for becoming a nurse so he could feed his family by working in the mines. Aryn
Baker, who visited the Congo wrote that stories like this abound in the region. (Baker) These
stories, and many stories like these, show the undying need of the people for assistance and they
can also show what sustainable assistance can do for them. The Democratic Republic of the
Congo, suffers from constant war, poverty and abuse, and needs a sustainable way to work and

support themselves and prosper. They can do this with a help. By funding the people and paying
to give them livestock, this starving and poor country may, in time, be able to become a
prosperous and developed country with work, food, wool, and income for all village families.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is heavily plagued by these horrors in the continent
of Africa, but I havent heard of this country till my work on this proposal. All the people I've
talked to havent. The New Agriculturist states that the Democratic Republic has some of the
best resources in the form of minerals, land and other natural resources, but their potential as a
prosperous country has been halted by wars and poverty. (Country profile) Due to the poverty
and

wars

in

this

undeveloped and country,

the Congo and much of its
people have been taken
advantage of. Many people
living in the Congo are
forced or just dont have
any other options but to
work in the mines for little to no pay. The Free the Slaves organization says that people are
enslaved to work in mines to pay off their debts but they are taken advantage of and prevented of
ever actually paying off their debt through trickery and deceit. They are forced to keep
digging.(Slavery in Congo) There is also a huge problem with child labor in most mines, an
estimated 40% of workers being under 18 years of age. Diane wrote that [the Congos] people
live with highly unstable conditions, and children are forced to work in mines, exposed to all

sorts of diseases and the possibility of accidental death, while the government and the mining
companies that employ them look on in silence.(Diane) Tracy Fehr, working with Enough
wrote, if you cant afford to pay for workers, youll target children, who are most vulnerable
and can be tempted into highly exploitative situations with the simple promise of a meal at the
end of the day.(Fehr) Diane again, writes, miners work without breaks and without any basic
measures for protection or security. In unbearable heat, with clouds of red dust and weak light,
[workers] dig at depths of 200 to 300 meters and are at constant risk of asphyxiation, rockslides,
or other accidental deaths, for a remuneration of 1 to 2 dollars per day.(Diane) Miners are
forced to work in awful, dangerous, disease ridden conditions with close to nothing if they are
being paid at all and not merely enslaved or trying to pay off debts that are never fulfilled.
According to Annie Kelly, a reporter on global development, human rights and social affairs for
the Guardian and Observer, wrote in an article that much of the minerals, used in electronics, are
used by household brands including Apple, Microsoft and Vodafone just to name a few.
(Kelly) Aryn wrote that many of the precious minerals that are taken from the miners for a few
dollars are sold for hundreds elsewhere.(Aryn) The peoples lack of other sources of food and
income has and continues to be used against them in horrendous ways to force them into slavery
and work that no one should have to do.
Our Africa has a section stating that women continue to remain vulnerable. Peace deals
have led to the end of much fighting, but years of war have left a culture of violence. Rape is still
common.(Vulnerability of Women) The Democratic Republic of the Congo is plagued by
rape and forced marriages partially due to lack of resources for the families and also because the
women cannot support themselves without help. Jeffrey Gettleman of National Geographic asked

where else are hundreds of thousands of women raped and just about nobody
punished?(Gettleman) The answer is nowhere. Other places deal with this form of assault and
sometimes in absolutely horrific numbers but action is taken against the crimminals. In the
Congo, the government does nothing. The Free the Slaves organization says that many women
and girls are subject to sex slavery and lured by false promises of financial support(Slavery in
the Congo) Girls Not Brides reveals that besides the rape and sex slavery forced upon the
women and girls of the Congo, forced marriages for women and girls are also common. 37% of
girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo are married before their 18th birthday. (Child
Marriage) The U.S. Department of State reports that some girls are sold by family members for
the dowry or to repay a debt and then these girls are subject to abusive servitude of sex
trafficking with no way out. They are even pressured into prostitution by their families.
(Democratic Republic of the Congo) Girls Not Brides states that if they try to leave their
husband they would die because they have no way to support themselves and their families reject
them as dishonorable. (Child Marriage) They also stated that low educational attainment is
also associated with the prevalence of child marriage in DRC. 50% of women aged 20-24 with
primary education were married before 18 years, compared to 23% of women with secondary
education or higher.(Child Marriage) Because their education cant be paid for and the
families are in debt or poverty, these girls and women are subject to whatever their families
decide and seldom can they get themselves out of those situations. A solution is to give them a
way out and give the families a means to survive so this does not end up being a constant
solution to the peoples poverty. They could do so much with just a start.

The lack of aid, education and income is also a source for children soldiers. BBC says in
its timeline that the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been in violent disarray since well
before the 1900s. (DR of Congo profile - Timeline) This constant violence and recruitment of
children has been an issue for a very long time and is often due to the fact that children cant get
their schooling paid for, they have no other way to survive, or they are even forced into it as
soldiers, slaves, or into other positions. Child Soldiers International reveals the truth;
In January-February 2016 we spent six weeks in eastern DRC and interviewed
more than 150 former girl soldiers to learn about their experiences, and
understand their needs. Those brave young girls repeatedly told us about the
crucial importance of education in their lives. Many joined armed groups to be
able to pay for schooling, and most said that being in school promotes their social
acceptance and reintegration into the community once they come back. Among
many other girls we met Yvette (not her real name), from Rutshuru, in North
Kivu. Yvette was 14 years old when she joined the self-defence militia known as
the Mai-Mai Nyatura. She decided to join them after being kicked out of school
for failing to pay her fees. She spent one year with the group as an armed escort.
She now lives with her aunt but still cannot afford to pay her school fees. In
Nyiragongo South, in North Kivu, we met Neema (not her real name), now 16
years old. Neema told us: If we could go to school, the community would be
nicer to us, we would get some consideration, that would help a
lot.(Democratic Republic of Congo)

Without education, because there is a lack of income, and without food and basic needs children
are enticed and persuaded to join militant groups and then trained and forced to kill, steal, and
commit other crimes against their own people.
Women and girls are sold into abusive and horrible marriages, and sex trafficking. People
are taken to the work and slave away in dangerous and unrewarding mines. They are threatened,
and forced to join militias younger than 10 years old because their options are few and what they
have to choose from isnt good.. People are being forced into different and bad things but when it
comes down to what these things really are, its all slavery. These people need help in getting out
of these situations or staying out of them all together.
CBC News provides a bit of history on the ravaged country. In 1855 the Congo Free
State was established under Leopold. And then it all started to fall to pieces in 1890 when the
Congolese were forced into labor and being killed by Leopold's enforcement squads. In 1908 the
Belgian parliament took control but in 1960 gained independence though the president is killed
the following year. 20,00 UN peacekeepers are sent in to resist Belgium in 1960-1964. In 1965
Mobutu is installed as president and in 1977 rebels start to appear as well as protests. (A Brief
History) Breakouts, fights, rebellions and attacks havent stopped. Theyve lead to mass
poverty, mass uneducation, mass killings, and mass abuse of women. War and poverty have been
a constant road block in the country's development and flourishing. This country needs help. As
a country with the power to change, we have the responsibility to make and help change things
everywhere for the better.
I believe part of a good start to an answer to all the issues plaguing the Congo is to
provide the people with livestock. Samaritan's Purse, with just $14, can give a family a dozen

chicks, get then help to set up a coup, and give basic veterinary care. For $70 a dairy cow can be
provided. For $80, a family can be supplied with a sheep, llama, alpaca or other wool-bearing
animals and they would be taught how to care for their flock. And for $350, a farming family can
be given an ox, donkey or other livestock-or even a cart and a plow. (Christmas Gift Catalog)
Translated to what this would mean for the family is quite extraordinary for such meager costs.
For just $14, a family can have income and eggs, a source of amazing nutrients. For $70 a family
can have a source of milk with
enough leftover to sell(Christmas
Gift

Catalog).

For

$80,

wool-clothes, and a source of

income can be provided to a poor
family. And for $350 the burdens
of

a farming family can be

lightened and they can grow their

crops so much faster, going from two months to four days to plow a field.(Christmas Gift
Catalog) Concerning farming and agriculture, the land of The Democratic Republic of the Congo
is ripe for it. The New Agriculturist says that the country is one of the largest in the world only
one percent of the mineral rich and fertile land is being cultivated. (Country profile) As already
explored, this country is rich in potential but after so much war, it needs some help getting back
on its feet and the people are more than willing and grateful for a good start.
Samaritan's purse has gone to the aid of the worlds poor, sick, and suffering. [They] are
an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine,

and other assistance(Samaritans Purse) Looking at the Non-Profit Organizations website, you
can see just how much they do. They have warehouses filled for preparation to respond to crisis
all over the world. They provide food, food kits, seeds, livestock, medical aid, shelters, supplies
and so much more, all over the world. I believe that Samaritans Purse has the influence, power
and means of helping the people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and with donations, as
they already receive, could get the impoverished back on their feet. By raising awareness with
letters to already giving churches, we could direct a pool of funds and a goal to Samaritans
Purse to give the people of the congo livestock, a means of life and survival. This big NPO
already supplies poor countries with its outcomes are good and sustainable.
As is previously stated in many of the peoples stories, those that received help were able
to provide aid to their neighbors and did so gladly, giving newborn animals or food to others in
need. I think this is another great way to sustainably give more people aid. By giving each
village and/or group of people an amount of animals, they can care for them and share them till
there are enough for everyone to have their own and then their community can really thrive. By
giving each group a couple of each animal, help can spread far and wide at less cost making it
more doable and making easier to reach everyone.

This solution and even the problem itself, none of it is about making a profit or getting
something out of it. This is about helping and saving the lives of children, women and men.
Families can be fed and taken care of with a meager but again, sustainable, $14. There is no loss
as it is merely a duty and a right to help those in need and by providing the NPO Samaritan's
Purse with funds, we can do that. The connection between all of this is that the livestock will

provide income and food sustainably which will in turn allow for education, health, safety and
life for children and adults alike.
Some might think that the militia and rebels could still cause problems for the villagers.
With newly cultivated supplies, food and income, many may fear that violent groups that steal
and take from some villagers. I though believe that this is unlikely though not impossible.
Recently the country has been going under more peace efforts with the need for conflict free
mining zones and with the constant and consistent efforts to bring peace to the people. The
Enough team has reported that the number of Conflict-Free Mines in the Congo has increased by
31%.(Enough Team) Many areas are conflict free and I think these are the places that should be
given livestock first. Many violent enforcers have been removed from their spaces of power. I
also think the fact that most of the militias move around they would not be interested in trying to
take livestock and bring them with them and would have more interest in have the supplies the
the animals can give. Though I think these points are valid I do recognize the issue violence
brings but I think its outweighed.
This solution requires minimal amounts of money and action of others besides the
preexisting work of Samaritan's purse. They merely need to be notified and funded to help the
people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and this can be done by churches around the
world. They just need to know there is a need.
As I come to the end of my proposal I implore you to think of the facts, problems, and
solutions presented to you. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is burdened with poverty and
struggles and with livestock their burdens can be lightened and the families can grow and be
safe, educated and healthy. The country can grow and develop and with its resources, flourish.

Samaritan's purse needs to continue to receive funds and support to reach this troubled country.
This country needs a start and we can give it to them and with it, maybe the country can become
a source of life and health and fulfillment. Remember that you too can give to Samaritan's Purse.
Everyone has the choice to be a good samaritan.

Works Cited
Slavery in the Congo. Free The Slaves. Free The Slaves, 2016. Web. 8 Dec. 2016
Wives in Slavery. Free The Slaves. Free The Slaves, 2013. Web. 7 Dec. 2016
Democratic Republic Of Congo. Tear Fund. Tear Fund, 2016. Web. 3 Dec. 2016
Baker, Aryn. Inside the Democratic Republic of Congos Diamond Mines. Time. Time,
2015. Web. 7 Dec 2016.
BE, Diane. Child labor in the mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Humanium.
Humanium, 2016. Web. 9 Dec. 2016
Fehr, Tracy. The Congo Connection between Slavery and Conflict Minerals. Enough
Project. Enough Project, 2011. Web. 9 Dec. 2016
Kelly, Annie. Children as young as seven mining cobalt used in smartphones, says
Amnesty. The Guardian. The Guardian, 2016. Web. 9 Dec. 2016
Vulnerability of women and children. Our Africa. Our Africa, 2012. Web. 10 Dec. 2016
Gettleman, Jeffrey. The Price of Precious. National Geographic. National Geographic,
2013. Web. 9 Dec. 2016
Child Marriage Around the World: Democratic Republic of Congo. Girls Not Brides.
Girls Not Brides, 2016. Web. 10 Dec. 2016
Democratic Republic of Congo profile - Timeline. BBC News. BBC News, 2016. Web.
9 Dec. 2016
Democratic Republic of Congo - Current Project. Child Soldiers. Child Soldiers, 2016.
Web. 10 Dec. 2016

The Democratic Republic of Congo: A brief history. CBC News. CBC News, 2008.
Web. 9 Dec. 2016
Graham, Franklin. "Gifts Especially For Kids." Samaritan's Purse Christmas Gift Catalog
Dec 2016: 15. Print.
Graham, Franklin. "Farm Projects." Samaritan's Purse Christmas Gift Catalog Dec
2016: 25-27. Print.
Country profile - Democratic Republic of Congo. New Ag. New Ag, 2009. Web. 10
Dec. 2016
About Us. Samaritans Purse.Samaritans Purse International Relief, 2016. Web. 9
Dec. 2016
Number of Certified Conflict-Free Mines in Congo Increases by 31%: 204 Mines
Certified. Enough Project. Enough Project, 2016. Web. 10 Dec. 2016