I haven't written for several weeks, because I've heard very little from the field. Emmanuel Dole, our Aquaculture Development Coordinator, was traveling to the region of Bumba for the fourth installment of our training seminar series. He was out of range of internet and tells me that he decided to leave his computer at home anyway to avoid theft and damage on the road. Good choice. I will relay reports and hopefully photos of his travel and activities as he sends them to me.
A report came out yesterday from Save the Children citing DR Congo as the worst country in the world to be a mother (see report). I know that this is not directly related to what we are doing in that country, but ultimately it speaks to the value of all forms of development that can bring greater health and prosperity to families and communities. Aquaculture does this in northern DRC. We are making a difference.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Motorbike
I can't say enough to praise Pastor Dole's commitment and diligence on the aquaculture project. The most recent training seminar, held in Tandala, was attended by the normal 50 participants that we budgeted, but also by another 100 observers. Despite the added numbers, Pastor Dole managed to arrange meals for all 150 people for the week, out of the funds budgeted for fifty. He did this by encouraging each participant to contribute something to the week's meal supply. That's resourcefulness. Pastor Dole is choosing to not be limited by budget and availability of funds, but is doing everything he can for the success of this project!
Now here's something we can do for Pastor Dole. We had originally planned to purchase a motorbike for Pastor Dole's travels as the Regional Aquaculture Development Coordinator. He's relying right now on rented bikes, or his schedule is limited to piggy-backing rides when they are going in the same direction he's going. Having his own vehicle would provide much greater flexibility in extension work such as planning seminars and visiting farmers. Furthermore, a motorbike is much cheaper to purchase, operate, and maintain than a Land Cruiser, which is the only other reliable transport in that part of the world.
We haven't purchased a bike yet since we've directed donations primarily to seminars and his salary to this point. We now have roughly 80% of the funds required for purchase of a bike, but need the rest to ensure that we can purchase good quality--this way we reduce the chance of him being stranded on the trail a hundred km from the nearest service garage (to call it that loosely).
You can help us with this. Pastor Dole has demonstrated his commitment to the project. We can now demonstrate our commitment to providing him with the tools he needs to do his job well.
To make a donation to this specific objective, follow this link to World Hope Canada and click on the "Donate Now" tab. Thanks for your help.
- Peter
Now here's something we can do for Pastor Dole. We had originally planned to purchase a motorbike for Pastor Dole's travels as the Regional Aquaculture Development Coordinator. He's relying right now on rented bikes, or his schedule is limited to piggy-backing rides when they are going in the same direction he's going. Having his own vehicle would provide much greater flexibility in extension work such as planning seminars and visiting farmers. Furthermore, a motorbike is much cheaper to purchase, operate, and maintain than a Land Cruiser, which is the only other reliable transport in that part of the world.
We haven't purchased a bike yet since we've directed donations primarily to seminars and his salary to this point. We now have roughly 80% of the funds required for purchase of a bike, but need the rest to ensure that we can purchase good quality--this way we reduce the chance of him being stranded on the trail a hundred km from the nearest service garage (to call it that loosely).
You can help us with this. Pastor Dole has demonstrated his commitment to the project. We can now demonstrate our commitment to providing him with the tools he needs to do his job well.
To make a donation to this specific objective, follow this link to World Hope Canada and click on the "Donate Now" tab. Thanks for your help.
- Peter
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Equateur Province
I came across a link to a press release by Doctors without Borders concerning a measles epidemic in DR Congo. The epidemic is affecting Equateur and Orientale provinces in particular--Equateur is the province where we are providing aquaculture support.
From the press release mentioned above: "Martine has brought her 10-month-old daughter, Asiata, to the hospital in Dingila. The baby has measles with respiratory complications. They traveled 20 kilometers [about 12 miles] on foot to obtain medical care provided by MSF. In the intensive care unit, Félicien says he walked two days to bring Israël, his three-year-old son, who is in critical condition due to measles-related complications. “Our health post has no medicine,” he says. He reports that two children in his village have already died en route to the hospital." A disease that we hardly hear of in N America causes widespread grief in a region so desperate as DRC.
During my first visit to DRC in 2008, I accompanied my guide to several rural hospitals and clinics. These health centers were typically poorly-equipped, some to the point where they were hardly more than a meeting place for the sick, since health care providers had little to nothing by way of supplies.
Although our support of aquaculture doesn't address this issue head-on, improving food security and increasing household income through this and other complementary initiatives impacts every aspect of livelihood.
Pastor Dole conducted our third training seminar in Tandala last week. According to our budget, fifty farmers were invited to attend and receive the tool subsidy. But because local fish farmers are so eager for assistance, an additional 100 people sat in on the seminar as observers! So grows our impact.
From the press release mentioned above: "Martine has brought her 10-month-old daughter, Asiata, to the hospital in Dingila. The baby has measles with respiratory complications. They traveled 20 kilometers [about 12 miles] on foot to obtain medical care provided by MSF. In the intensive care unit, Félicien says he walked two days to bring Israël, his three-year-old son, who is in critical condition due to measles-related complications. “Our health post has no medicine,” he says. He reports that two children in his village have already died en route to the hospital." A disease that we hardly hear of in N America causes widespread grief in a region so desperate as DRC.
During my first visit to DRC in 2008, I accompanied my guide to several rural hospitals and clinics. These health centers were typically poorly-equipped, some to the point where they were hardly more than a meeting place for the sick, since health care providers had little to nothing by way of supplies.
 |
| Medical provisions for a rural clinic that serves roughly 7000 people. |
Pastor Dole conducted our third training seminar in Tandala last week. According to our budget, fifty farmers were invited to attend and receive the tool subsidy. But because local fish farmers are so eager for assistance, an additional 100 people sat in on the seminar as observers! So grows our impact.
Monday, February 18, 2013
AANS Conference
On January 25th I had the privilege of making a short presentation on the project in Congo at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax, NS. It was part of an event that included messages from Fabien Cousteau, grand-son of Jacques Cousteau, as well as Rohanna Subasinghe, Senior Aquaculture Specialist with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Rubbing shoulders with these two professionals was the highest-level networking I've ever been party to. They were both very approachable individuals with good insights into the potential of Fish for Hope moving forward.
The event was part of the annual conference of the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia (AANS) which had invited my participation in the first place. With over 700 in attendance, it brought great awareness and credibility to our work in DRC. People extended their affirmation for our efforts and offered assistance whereever possible. My deepest gratitude goes to the AANS for their support and endorsement of the work of Fish for Hope, entrusting me with a venue that had the potential to bring greater scope to the aquaculture industry in Nova Scotia. I like to think that the increased visibility of Fish for Hope through this event gave the industry something else to be proud of.
I also mentioned in a previous post that a local donor had committed $1,000 to the project with the idea that it would be matched through fundraising. Within exactly one week, our own church friends had contributed $1,700. Onward and upward!
 |
| Fabien Cousteau and myself |
I also mentioned in a previous post that a local donor had committed $1,000 to the project with the idea that it would be matched through fundraising. Within exactly one week, our own church friends had contributed $1,700. Onward and upward!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Matching Donations
I have formulated our plan and budget for the next six months (Jan-Feb 2013) of the aquaculture project in DRC. With roughly $15,000, we will successfully carry out three more training seminars for a total of 150 farmers, pay six months of Emmanuel Dole's salary, purchase a dirt bike for Pastor Dole's use in extension work and organizing seminars, and fulfill other miscellaneous project requirements. This amount will meet our mid-project objectives and keep us on track for maximum regional impact.
A corporate donor, one who has helped us with other projects in the past, recently committed $5,000 to the project in DRC with the expectation that we would raise an additional $5,000 to match it. In Wood's Harbour, an individual donor has pledged $1,000 to the project, also with the expectation that it would be matched dollar-for-dollar. We have received $2,000 already toward these promised donations, which means that we have $8,000 of our anticipated $15,000 for the next six months' budget! Seems that the target is well within our capacity to achieve.
I've been thinking for the past several days about the impact that we are having on Emmanuel Dole's life. I often draw a comparison with child sponsorship programs such as Compassion, whereby a monthly commitment of $41 by western donors provides schooling, health care, and nutrition for a child in poverty. The middle-class salary that we provide through our project in the DRC not only supports Dole, but also his wife and six children. For less than $40 per month per person, eight people have the means to purchase additional food and health care needs, pay school fees and buy clothing. Plus, Dole is equipped in his work to bring hope and training to hundreds of families. How's that for value and impact?!
These are the names of Emmanuel Dole's family in the photo above:
3. In back with the red shirt, oldest daughter, Rachel Ambussa Dole, born 28 July 1994
4. To her left, second daughter, Judith Olonu Dole, 13 December 1996
A corporate donor, one who has helped us with other projects in the past, recently committed $5,000 to the project in DRC with the expectation that we would raise an additional $5,000 to match it. In Wood's Harbour, an individual donor has pledged $1,000 to the project, also with the expectation that it would be matched dollar-for-dollar. We have received $2,000 already toward these promised donations, which means that we have $8,000 of our anticipated $15,000 for the next six months' budget! Seems that the target is well within our capacity to achieve.
I've been thinking for the past several days about the impact that we are having on Emmanuel Dole's life. I often draw a comparison with child sponsorship programs such as Compassion, whereby a monthly commitment of $41 by western donors provides schooling, health care, and nutrition for a child in poverty. The middle-class salary that we provide through our project in the DRC not only supports Dole, but also his wife and six children. For less than $40 per month per person, eight people have the means to purchase additional food and health care needs, pay school fees and buy clothing. Plus, Dole is equipped in his work to bring hope and training to hundreds of families. How's that for value and impact?!
These are the names of Emmanuel Dole's family in the photo above:
1.
Seated in the middle, Pastor Dole, Aquaculture Development Coordinator
2.
To his right, Pastor Dole's wife, Bibiche Deka Dole3. In back with the red shirt, oldest daughter, Rachel Ambussa Dole, born 28 July 1994
4. To her left, second daughter, Judith Olonu Dole, 13 December 1996
5.
To her left, third child, Josué Dongumbe Dole, 15 December 1998
6.
Behind Pastor Dole's wife, Esther Saboko Dole, 19 August 2001
7.
In front of Judith, Astrid Ombalando Dole, born 30 July 2003
8.
In front of Josue, Emmanuel Sanguma Dole, born 14 December 2005
This family is benefitting directly from our efforts and your generosity.
Monday, January 7, 2013
AANS - Fabien Cousteau
The Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia (AANS) is hosting Fabien Cousteau, grandson of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, at their annual aquaculture conference in Halifax, 25 January.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from the Rebecca Cohn box office (http://artscentre.dal.ca/).
$5 from the sale of all tickets will be donated to Fish for Hope in support of the aquaculture project in Congo.
Many thanks to the AANS for their endorsement of the work in the DRC.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
St. Andrews Science Seminar
I was invited to speak about the work in Africa last Friday at the New Brunswick Community College campus in St. Andrews. I'm always glad to have any opportunity to talk about aquaculture in Africa and the project in DRC, in particular.
A reporter from the Telegraph-Journal attended the seminar and put together an article for the paper this week. A link to the article is here (Telegraph Journal, 11 December 2012).
Fund-raising has been admittedly sluggish. Interestingly, the project resonates with just about everyone that I tell, but it doesn't always translate into a cash contribution. This is a donor-driven initiative. Without the help of financial supporters, the project could fail.
But I'm not settling for that. We will complete the goals, even if it takes longer than the projected two years. I believe this is a correct and effective step in helping to lift families out of poverty in the DRC. My heartfelt gratitude to those who have already donated to this work.
Even though we don't have sufficient funds to continue seminars, Emmanuel Dole continues to work hard in reinvigorating aquaculture in his region by touring to communities that have benefited from aquaculture in the past, hearing their challenges, and offering encouragement. My appreciation for his management skills and motivation continues to grow. I'm thankful to have someone so capable in leadership on the ground.
A reporter from the Telegraph-Journal attended the seminar and put together an article for the paper this week. A link to the article is here (Telegraph Journal, 11 December 2012).
Fund-raising has been admittedly sluggish. Interestingly, the project resonates with just about everyone that I tell, but it doesn't always translate into a cash contribution. This is a donor-driven initiative. Without the help of financial supporters, the project could fail.
But I'm not settling for that. We will complete the goals, even if it takes longer than the projected two years. I believe this is a correct and effective step in helping to lift families out of poverty in the DRC. My heartfelt gratitude to those who have already donated to this work.
Even though we don't have sufficient funds to continue seminars, Emmanuel Dole continues to work hard in reinvigorating aquaculture in his region by touring to communities that have benefited from aquaculture in the past, hearing their challenges, and offering encouragement. My appreciation for his management skills and motivation continues to grow. I'm thankful to have someone so capable in leadership on the ground.
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