Information on the Place and the Issues

Include here are several kinds of resources that we've found helpful and hope you will too. If you know of other good resources not mentioned here, please email us a note

and tell us about them. We'll publish the best of those that come in.

You'll find information on the DR Congo and on Dr. Paul Carlson, several articles and reports on issues facing Congo, several maps, a link to some photo albums, and a handful of wallpaper-size photos. There is a list of books chosen by Byron Miller, along with brief comments on each; a link to a feature-length film on Paul Carlson's life; PCP's own publications; information about inviting a speaker from PCP to come to your church or group; and several first-person reflections from volunteers who have traveled to Congo on one of our work trips.

Special Section: 50th Anniversary of Congolese Independence

Congolese flagJune 30, 2010, marks the 50th anniversary of Congo's return to its people to govern. The country had been in foreign hands since 1885, when Belgium's King Leopold took possession of it and ran it as his personal fiefdom. He got rich on exporting rubber and valuable minerals, which were produced by Congolese people under brutal conditions. When it became clear that atrocities were widespread, the Belgian government took over in 1908. Finally on June 30, 1960, Belgium relinquished its claim and gave the country back to the Congolese.

You can read more about the history of Congo on any of the websites listed below here under Information on the DR Congo. Here is a link to the remarks given by Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of Congo, during the ceremony on June 30, 1960. Linked here is a news clip about the 50th anniversary events from the UN News Service. The BBC online has a column on the country's first fifty years by Thomas Fessy.

Three of the leaders we work with in Congo have shared with us some reflections on this 50th anniversary of independence. Those are attached here in PDF form (with photos).

Dr. Mossai T. Sanguma, President, CEUM

Rev. Elenga Liwawa Lievain, Vice President, CEUM

Mr. Texa Dembele Menda, Paul Carlson Partnership Country Manager for Congo

Information on the DR Congo

Information on Dr. Paul Carlson

Articles and Reports

Maps

World

Africa

Democratic Republic of Congo

Ubangi region (interactive map)

Photo Albums

Paul Carlson page on Flickr. We add new photo sets periodically.

Wallpaper Photos

Here are a few photos suitable for using as desktop wallpaper. We will add more periodically.

Sunset in Congo

 

 Sunset in Congo (3264 x 2448)

 

 

Solitary Woman Walking

 

 Solitary Woman Walking (2048 x 1536)

 

 

Kids hand-in-hand

 

 Kids Hand-in-Hand (2592 x 1728)

 

 

Friends on a path

 

 Friends on a Path (2592 x 1728)

 

 

Roofing a school

 

 Roofing a School (3264 x 2448)

 

 

Books

Recommendations and notes from Byron Miller.

Monganga Paul, by Lois Carlson Bridges
This personal and engaging story comes from the widow of Dr. Paul Carlson. In her own words she recounts some of the experiences in Paul's early life that led to his decision -- and hers, together with him -- to become a medical missionary in Congo; shares stories of their time living at Wasolo, where he served the local hospital and people; and describes the tense days of his captivity and eventual murder. Vivid and well written. Available through Covenant Bookstore online.

The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time, by Jeffrey D. Sachs 
Dr. Sachs, a professor at Columbia University who has advised governments around the world with significant success, presents the case for massive aid to lift people out of poverty worldwide. He also articulates a strategy of creating “sustainable villages” that offer sufficient economic opportunities to provide nutrition, health care, and education for the inhabitants. This book was the source of our concept to work toward sustainable communities in the Congo.

The White Man’s Burden, by William Easterly
Dr. Easterly argues that massive aid has caused more problems for the poor than it has solved—that America and Europe have placed a very real burden on the developing world. He explicitly argues against Dr. Sachs’s proposal. He also articulates the concept of finding and supporting “searchers,” people we would usually call entrepreneurs. His thoughts have influenced our efforts to develop wholesale businesses in the Ubangi region that will buy from farmers and sell in the capital city, Kinshasa.

Carpentry for a new schoolAfrican Friends and Money Matters, by David Maranz
Maranz articulates how differently Africans treat money than do Americans. Their culture values immediate needs of family and fellow villagers over any longer-term needs. This cultural value deters accumulation of capital, which is so important for development. 

Congo Kitabu, by Jean-Pierre Hallet
This is a true adventure book. A reviewer on Amazon wrote, “ If I had to pick the man who had the most interesting life on this planet, Jean-Pierre Hallet would be at the top of my list.” Hallet seemed to encounter adventure at every turn in his life in the eastern Congo. A real page turner. This book is out of print, but used copies can be found on Amazon.com. 

King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa, by Adam Hochschild
This book is not recommended for young children or those with a weak stomach. It details the brutality with which King Leopold of Belgium treated the Congolese people. His cruelty inspired Joseph Conrad’s book Heart of Darkness. This book is often recommended as a background to understanding the Congo today. 

In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in Mobutu's Congo, by Michele Wrong
This is a companion book to King Leopold’s Ghost. She covers the earlier history of the Congo, but provides much greater detail of the decline of the Congo under former President Mobutu. During the period 1960-2009, it fell from being one of the richest countries in Africa to being the second poorest, despite enormous natural resources.

Slivers of the Cross, by Brad Hill
This delightful book presents stories of a missionary’s life that illustrate the opportunities for witness, the problems that must be overcome, insight into the lives of the Congolese, and most importantly, a great sense of humor about life in the Congo. You will find it hard to put down. This book is out of print but Amazon usually has used copies available. 

The River Congo, by Peter Forbath
This book, first published in 1979, tells the story of the discovery, exploration, and exploitation of the Congo River. It covers events after 1908, when Congo became a colony of Belgium, only briefly in an epilogue.  

Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
This book tells the story of a mountaineer who became a builder of schools in Pakistan. It demonstrates the desire of poor people to obtain an education and better life for their children and shows how one person can make an enormous difference for many people. It is riveting adventure and will stimulate your desire to help.

River sceneFeature-Length Film

 

Monganga, by Richard K. Carlson
Narrated by Dr. G. Timothy Johnson. Tells the story of Dr. Paul's capture and murder in the context of the Simba rebellion of 1964. May not be suitable for young children due to some violence. Available on DVD through Covenant Bookstore online.

 

PCP Publications

Five-Minute Video: Children: Giving Generously, Growing Deeper Produced by the PCP together with Covenant World Relief, the ECC departments of World Mission and Christian Formation, and the Covenant Resource Center. The video shows how children respond to learning about the circumstances and needs of people in places very different from theirs. Designed for use by leaders of children's programs, but could also be of interest to parents.

2009 Print Materials. All PCP publications are available free of cost through Covenant Bookstore online.

Speakers

We have speakers available to talk to groups about our work, Congo, and the types of programs we are doing, e.g., microenterprise, medical needs in Congo, and so on. Contact the PCP office.

First-Person Reflections