The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a beautiful region in southern Africa. Much of the country is low-lying plateau with a rain forest climate. The people living in the remote river villages of this area face the challenges of extreme poverty and very limited access to quality health care.

For thirteen years, Rivers of the World (ROW) has been active in seeing that the people of these villages have improved access to vitamins, immunizations and quality medical care. To accomplish that objective, in January of 2007, ROW launched the “Mama Mickie,” a steel-bottomed ship which allows for the transport of educational materials and medical supplies to the inhabitants of the river villages.

In order to gain access to villages that lie along the more narrow tributaries of the rivers, smaller zodiac boats are needed to transport people and supplies to and from the Mama Mickie. In 2007, IHSF secured the resources to acquire three of these zodiac boats.

In the year ahead, IHSF will continue to support ROW in monitoring the needs of the underserved in this region, and in bringing quality health care to those in need in the Congo.

If you’re interested in knowing more or would like to help, please visit www.row.org.