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Current focus: Lotumbe village, a remote regional medical hub in Equatorial Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) in Kinshasa
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Where in the world is Lotumbe? To get there, fly to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then take a 2-hour flight to Mbandaka, capital of Equatorial Province. Then board a dugout canoe for Lotumbe. If you're paddling, plan on seven days. If you're lucky enough to afford an outboard motor, it's a snap... just 16 hours with a stop or two along the way.
For a quicker trip, download GoogleEarth, enter your hometown as a starting point, then enter your destination: Lotumbe, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Congo Facts
Neighbors: Nine countries border the Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, The Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, Zambia, Burundi
Population: Approximately 60 million inhabitants
Ethnic Groups: More than 200 ethnic groups
Major Languages: Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili, French
Size/Area: 2,345,410 sq km; approximately the size of Western Europe or slightly less than one fourth the size of the USA.
Income: $100 per year for an individual Congolese
Key Natural Resources: Diamonds, Gold, Coltan, Uranium, Copper, Tin, Silver, Cobalt, Niobium, Timber, Hydro Power, Manganese, Petroleum
Life Expectancy: 51 years
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, Other 10%
Capital: Kinshasa
Provinces: 25, according to the Constitution approved in late 2005. Prior to 2005, there were 11 provinces.
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History of the Congo
20,000BC
Pre-Kongo Civilization
Ishango Bones, say archeologists, may be the earliest mathematical artifact in the world, used both as a calculator and lunar calendar. They are believed to have been used for commercial transactions and for scientific purposes. (The abacus originated between 2400 BC and 300 BC.)
2,000BC
Bantu migration into Central Africa
- From Northwest Africa to where modern Congo is located
1000BC - 1500AD
Kongo Empire
- Establishment of local, regional and international trading networks.
- Kongo is the breadbasket of a region the size of the USA.
- Raw materials including diamonds and ivory are traded as far as China and India.
- Iron and copper ores are developed and traded.
- Business, financial wealth, strong government and politico-economic expansion.
1400s
Kongo Empire's first recorded contact with Europeans
- Portuguese explorers are commissioned to find new trade routes into Central Africa.
- Europeans exploit Kongolese trading routes for commerce in human (slaves) and natural resources.
- The West's first introduction to Kongo's human and natural resources.
1500 - 1800
Decline of the Kongo Empire
- So many people are sold into slavery that the empire collapses due to lack of human resources and the cost of war with the Portuguese.
1870 - 1920
Belgian king’s personal exploitation, followed by Belgian country's colonialization
- Mapped by British explorer Henry Morton Stanley for King Leopold II of Belgium.
- Berlin Conference: Congo appropriated and GIVEN to King Leopold II of Belgium as his personal property for the “protection” of the people in the region.
- King Leopold II’s regime (1885 - 1908)undertakes development projects solely for the King's personal enrichment; introduces rubber production for manufacturing tires.
- Exploitation and abuse of people and land to maximize profits.
- Five million to 15 million Congolese die as a result of Leopold's brutal exploitation of Congo's natural resources.
- Leopold invests his profits in grand buildings in Brussels and Ostend to honor himself.
1908
- Belgium Colonial Period
Leopold SELLS Congo to his own country after international outcry over atrocities committed during his private ‘ownership’ of Congo.
World War II
- Congolese army wins several battles against the Italians in North Africa.
- Congo supplies uranium used to build atomic bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
1960
Congo’s Independence
Congo elects its first democratically elected leader Patrice Lumumba, who is assassinated on January 17, 1961.
1965 - 1997
Mobutu Sese Seko’s dictatorship
Mobutu Sese Seko establishes dictatorship after a US-backed coup.
By 1984, Mobutu is said to have amassed US $4 billion - primarily from Congolese state-owned mining companies - in personal Swiss bank accounts.
1997 - 2001
Laurent Désiré Kabila Takeover
Laurent Désiré Kabila, with the aid of the Rwandan government, overthrows Mobutu's dictatorial regime.
1998 - 2002
The Congo War
War breaks out after Rwanda tries to remove Kabila from power. Seven other African countries join in what has been called Africa's First World War.
War officially ends with peace talks in South Africa.
2001 - Present
Joseph Kabila’s Rule
In 2001, Laurent Kabila is assassinated and replaced by his son, Joseph Kabila. By 2003, a transition government and parliament are established to lead the Congo to elections.
Late 2005
Congolese overwhelmingly approve a new Congolese constitution.
July 2006
The nation’s first free elections in more than 40 years feature dozens of candidates. Two emerge as run-off competitors.
October 29, 2006
Runoffs between the finalists. Violence erupts in some districts. Tensions prevail.
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