It is the 2nd largest country in Africa, and is also commonly referred to as "Congo."
If you are considering adoption, please READ this wise counsel on how to pick an agency or adoption provider!
Here's a little bit of what we've learned about the DRC so far:
- formerly known as Zaire, DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world, per capita annual income of $171. - Life expectancy is about 46 years (2009)
- Less than 1/2 the population have access to clean water
- DRC is slightly less than 1/4 the size of the US
- half the population is Roman Catholic, only 20% Protestant
- there are an estimated 4.2 million orphans in DRC, 39 million in Africa
- 15% of the population under age 18 are orphans
- In some areas, 2 of 3 women have been victims of sexual violence, mainly by armed men
- only about 9% of the population have access to electricity (BBC)
Here is a list of helpful resources as you pray for the DRC, or look into adopting from this war-torn country:
- Children of the Congo: from war to witches is a documentary film exploring how children have (and still are) endured the brunt of the suffering caused by the poverty and brutal wars affecting this country. It is heartbreaking and eye- opening. You can watch it online here, it's about an hour long.
- The Eastern Congo Initiative was started by actor Ben Affleck. Their website if full of helpful information about the main issues plaguing the DRC today: child soldiers, rape and sexual violence, extreme poverty, and lack of access to medical care.
- US Dept. of State website has lots of basic information on the history and statistics of the Congo.
* For the latest News updates on the DRC, we check http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa/
If you are considering adoption, please READ this wise counsel on how to pick an agency or adoption provider!
