The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country located in Central Africa with a small strip of Atlantic coastline. DRC is the third largest country (by area) in Africa after Algeria and Sudan. DRC is bordered by nine African countries ; Central African Republic and Sudan on the North; Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi on the East; Zambia and Angola on the South; the Republic of the Congo on the West; and is separated from Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika on the East. It is crossed by the equator and is home to the mighty Congo River, Africa’s most powerful river and second most voluminous river in the world with a discharge of 1,500,000 cubic feet of water per second. If utilized efficiently, this river can generate hydro-electricity for the entire African Continent. DRC has very rich fauna and is home to four superior primates: man, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. DRC is also home to the unusual okapi, peacocks, zebras, and lions. Its flora is also beyond comparison with much of it still in need of study.

The population of DRC is the fourth largest in Africa with its estimated population of over 60,000,000 on a surface as large as that of Alaska (650,000 square miles). DRC is the largest French speaking country in the world. More than 283 vernacular languages are spoken in the country, but only four are considered national languages: Kikongo, Kiswahili, Lingala, and Tshiluba (Ciluba).

DRC is inhabited by the tallest people (Nilotics) and the shortest people (Pygmies) on the planet. It was also the home of the legendary freedom fighter Patrice Lumumba as well as the site where Don King set up the famous “ Rumble in The Jungle”, the most profound fight in boxing history with Mohamed Ali (Cassius Clay) and George Foreman. And although DRC is arguably one of the richest countries in the world in natural resources, 80% of the population is unemployed with most of its people suffering from its related downward conditions.

The DRC is a country of contrast and has an extremely compelling history. Although the country has been a place of the worst type of misery dating from slavery times to the current wars (King Leopold II’s legacy of abuse and murder, the Mobutu reign, the killings of innocent people in North Kivu and elsewhere), the Congolese people refuse to be victims and strive for a better life, with education remaining one of their prized possessions. Their music, inspired by pure optimism, still speaks of hope and love and enraptures all that hear it. When the government cannot do much, ordinary people do what they can for their communities and do everything from building schools and hospitals, to taking in abandoned children and elderly people with no homes and families.

It is the duty of the world to stand up and help the people of Africa in general, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular. DRC’s greatest gift, its natural wealth, has turned into its greatest curse due to the greed of the world. Help us make a difference.