DR Congo is the most populous French-speaking country.
The Congo is about one fourth the size of the U.S. and has about one fourth the population of the U.S.
242 languages are spoken in the Congo. In addition to French, the other 4 official languages are Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, and Swahili.
The aboriginal people of the Congo are the Pygmies.
The Second Congo War or African World War (1998-2003) was the world's second deadliest conflict since WWII killing 5..4 million people primarily from malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition. Half of those who died were under the age of 5.
In 1885, King Leopold II of Belgium took control of the Congo as his own personal fiefdom. His people brutalized the local population to produce rubber. Rubber quotas were enforced by cutting off the hands of natives who didn't meet their quotas. Nearly half the population of the lower Congo River died as a result of exploitation and disease including smallpox. Later in 1908, the Belgian parliament took over the Congo as a result of an international outcry against Leopold's actions. The son of Leopold's mistress was born without a hand, probably due to amniotic band syndrome.
During the "kleptocracy" of Mobutu, the Congolese dictator who ruled from 1960 to 1997, he stole $4 Billion from his country and deposited in a Swiss bank account.
Even though the Congo is the poorest country in the world and even though malnutrition affects 2/3 of the population, it is widely considered to be the richest country in the world in natural resources.
DR Congo has 80% of the world's cobalt reserves. It is used in superalloys which are used to make jet engine parts, as pigments for ceramics, paints, and plastics, and for a variety of other industrial and manufacturing purposes.
The inflation rate in 2011 in DR Congo was 17%. The commercial bank prime lending rate is currently 45% (the highest in the world).
The Congo's river system could provide hydro-electric power to the entire continent of Africa.
Having electricity function without repetitive random blackouts is a blessing that I take for granted.
DR Congo has the highest frequency of thunderstorms in the world. (There is one going on outside right now.)
I have been missing out by only eating raw bananas. Fried bananas are delicious.
Last fall we visited the Bureau of Printing and Engraving as a family in Washington D.C. where U.S. paper money is printed. I wonder if those who work there realize that the U.S. dollar is used for most major transactions in DR Congo and can be used in stores and restaurants. However, change is given in Congolese Francs.
The life expectancy in DR Congo is 56 years. The life expectancy in the U.S. is 78 years.
The senior LDS missionary couples of the Congo are incredible.
I'm grateful for the work of LDS Charities and for their work here in the Congo.
LDS Charities provides long-term assistance through its 5 major initiatives of neonatal resuscitation training, clean water, wheelchairs, vision care, and food production and also responds to natural disasters worldwide with food, water, shelter, clothing, bedding, medical supplies, school kits, hygiene kits, newborn kits, and cleaning kits to provide relief to those in need.. Historically, over $1.3 billion in assistance has been provided in 178 countries since 1985 including $85 million in assistance to 130 countries last year. One hundred percent of every dollar donated is used help those in need since those serving are all volunteers.
The people of the Congo I have met are warm, capable, articulate, and committed to improving their country and specifically their country's infant mortality rate.
"All are alike unto God." The Book of Mormon, pg. 104 (2 Nephi 26:33)
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