This is an automatic translation of this page:
http://members.tripod.com/~CompuSat/TimesZambia.htm
Interesting?????
-----------------------------------------------------------
WEDNESDAY, January 14, 1998
Help of Watchtower of Zambia in Congo
"Which it is amusing to note that the association of the Witnesses of Jéhovah of Zambia (ZAJW) sent voluntary volunteers and workers in old Zaire in order to reduce the burden of the refugees in the area of the Large Lakes."
By Lawrence
Mpundu
the cameras of television continue to forward until in our shows of the images of the génocide of 1994 to Rwanda and in ex-Zaire.
The despair which is read on the faces of the refugees haunted many people in the world. We read in our newspapers the calls despaired for assistance.
Uvira, Bukavu, Kisangani, Kivu and Goma are names ' ensanglantés' pertaining to old Zaire now called the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A many refugees in the DRC for a long time feel a deep feeling of despair vis-a-vis the ceaseless sanguinary massacres in the area of the Large Lakes.
Although several organizations such World Health Organizations (WHO) , International CARE and the International Red Cross Society (IRCS) redoubled efforts in order to provide of the assistance the refugees, those have the feeling which these efforts do not carry their fruits
However, others see the things differently. And their continuous efforts to be beneficial in more than one way.
Several actions of help were undertaken by some ONG the last year and still continue this year in order to bring of the assistance to the thousands of refugees of Congo-Kinshasa touched by seven months of war in the country.
Among the ONG carrying out a remarkable work in Congo the Association of the Witnesses of Jéhovah of Zambia (ZAJW) is which was formed at the beginning of last year.
This association, with these 160 volunteers belonging to the congregations of the country, takes part in the distribution of food, drugs, and various humanitarian aid with the refugees of ex-Zaire.
The volunteers of the ZAJW , whose action was made possible by the contributions and the co-operation of their churches of Belgium, France and of Switzerland, provided to the refugees a total of 500 kg of drug, 10 tons of vitamin, 20 tons food, more than 90 tons of clothing, 18.500 pars of shoes and 1000 covers the whole of an amount from approximately 1 million dollars the last year.
Congo with also received from the assistance in the shape of labour. Three medical observers, two doctors and a nurse were sent.
Samabona Clement, spokesman of ZAJW explains why during the last 9 months, of the Témoins doctors of Jéhovah were sent in the areas EAST of Congo by its association thanks to assistance coming from France. There, they brought supports to them with many victims of the war coming from various areas of the country.
The Witnesses of Jéhovah also collaborated training male nurses among congolais EAST.
With others have learned how to manufacture wheel chairs for the casualties starting from pieces of metal and the widows of Bunia-Butembo left without resources after deaths of their husband and the destruction of their fields received clothing and money to start with a small trade of clothing of occasion.
"Because the position of neutrality of the Witness of Jéhovah is universally known, their volunteers were authorized to go in many places. The helps brought, as well as the drugs against the cholera, the dysentery and the malaria, were provided to the Witnesses and to nonthe witnesses "explains Mr. Samabona.
The volunteers also taught the work of the frame, the poultry breeding, the size of clothing to the local inhabitants so that they can provide them-even for their needs.
"Approximately 95 percent of the inhabitants of Goma and Kisangani are without employment. Only some humane organizations employ congolais as drivers or gatekeepers. There thus needs to help these people has to become independent and has to provide the needs of their families "explains Mr. Samabona.
In spite of the efforts of association however, the volunteers encounter difficulties in their operations in Congo.
Those are due to the significant distances and the transportation routes which are practically non-existent. The best means of transport, even the single one, it is the plane which however costs expensive.
The administrative Formalities prevented association to fully achieve its goal in these areas, because to obtain a pass of the authorities to circulate freely from one city to another is long and tiresome.
The dispatch of the assistance was delayed by a situation particularly difficult to manage since last year although the things seem to improve.
What now envisaged association to come to assistance of the Tutsi refugees trapped in thick the drill from Congo since the end of the war?
Mr. Samabona explains: "association will continue to help the least privileged in the country by providing to the population the things necessary such as food."
"the area of Butembo produces rice and broad beans but not enough to nourish the people of the area. To face, association thought that it was necessary to obtain money to buy food inside and outside the country and to rather provide it to the refugees than to import the food of Europe and it is what we will continue to make this year."
Association also envisaged to send more voluntary doctors in these areas devastated by the war to teach with the populations the bases of health such as the detection of the cholera and other epidemic diseases.
There needs also to find trucks adequate and reliable to transport the drugs and food in the areas whose roads are insuperable
Yakki Da
Kent
I need more BOE letters, KMs and other material. Those who can send it to me - please do! The new section will be interesting!!
Daily News On The Watchtower and the Jehovah's Witnesses:
http://watchtower.observer.org