rope taking action, changing lives

Latest Rope update

Flag of DR Congo

Back to the main map

Key Data

Area

9.57 (x size of UK)

Population

73.6 (Millions)

Income

0.82 ($/day)

Income as a proportion of UK income

0.8 (%)

Population below poverty line

71.0 (%)

Life Expectancy

56 (Years at birth)

Infant Mortality

77 (Per 1000 births)

Living with AIDS

1.5 (%)

Access to trained doctors

12,600 (No. people per doctor)

Access to improved water

45 (%)

Primary education enrolment

32 (%)

Refugees

476,693 (Number)

HDI*

187/187 (Rank)

CPI**

160/164 (Rank)

*HDI is the UN's Human Development Index which assesses a country on health, education and living standards.

**The CPI (Corruption Perceptions Index) is Transparency International's measure of the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians.

DR Congo

Map of DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire, is ten times the size of the United Kingdom and has 74 million people. Since 1998 more than 5 million people have died from violence, famine and disease. Infant mortality is very high and HIV/AIDS is a major problem. Ethnic tensions, exacerbated by corrupt politicians seeking to exploit the vast natural wealth, have resulted in continuing conflict particularly in the east of the country. With an estimated GDP per capita of $1 a day, this is one of the poorest countries in the world. Living conditions for many are desperate.

Rope's work

Rope works with two partners in the DRC:

ONG BONGWANA YA MOZINDO (BOMO), situated in Kinshasa, runs training courses for female prostitutes who wish to leave that life and learn a skill to be able to support themselves for the future. Rope supports 14 girls, four of whom live at home and come to BOMO each day. The other ten stay at BOMO for one year during which time they train in tailoring, study, receive life skills and pastoral care and support.

Christ Secours des Faibles also works with female prostitutes or those at risk of prostitution in Kinshasa. Around 70 girls attend a 6 month course in tailoring in order to gain skills to take them away from prostitution. In addition they receive literacy and life skills training, as well as food when they are there and medical care if needed.

Nadine's Story

Nadine was a vulnerable young girl in Kinshasa. Like many, she found it difficult to make a living and needed help. The Ropeholder in the Democratic Republic of the Congo spoke to her and counselled. Nadine joined a six month training course in tailoring and became a dressmaker. She now works with three other former students in a workshop under a tree. She has also become a helper to the Ropeholder, finding more recruits for the training course. The training that Rope provides helps Nadine and other young girls to become independent.

 

To read the latest update from DR Congo click here